The coronavirus pandemic continues to impose the rules of the game in the process of reopening the economy while the population continues to adapt to the new normal. Meanwhile, the Hispanic food and beverage industry works tirelessly to serve consumers in addition to seeking new strategies to improve sales in times of crisis. As part of its efforts to keep the industry informed, Abasto Media invited five experts to participate in its second webinar, “The Future of Hispanic Retail: Moving Beyond COVID-19.”
Nearly 500 people registered to participate in the Abasto Media webinar held on August 17th.
The webinar, “The Future of Hispanic Retailing: Beyond COVID-19,” was moderated by Abasto Media Director, Gustavo Calabro, and the guest panelists were: Alvaro Luque, President and CEO of Avocados From México; Laura Strange, Senior Vice President, Communications and External Affairs for the National Grocers Association; Carlos Castro, owner of Todos Supermarket in Virginia; Mark Baum, Chief Collaboration Officer and SVP, Industry Relations FMI – The Food Industry Association; and Al Carey, Board Member, Unifi, Inc. and former CEO of PepsiCo North America.
Change of Strategy Was a Success For Avocados From México
At the beginning of “The Future of Hispanic Retail: Moving Beyond COVID-19” webinar, Alvaro Luque, President and CEO of Avocados From México, made a presentation on how the coronavirus pandemic motivated them to work in a different way, using their knowledge of social media to amplify their marketing strategy, achieving surprising results.
NGA Strives to Support All Independent Grocers
Laura Strange, Senior Vice President, Communications and External Affairs, National Grocers Association, provided an overview of how COVID-19 has impacted supermarkets and what emerging trends are taking place in independent grocery stores as a result of the new normal. She offered recommendations on what grocers will have to do to keep growing as part of “The Future of Hispanic Retail: Moving Beyond COVID-19” webinar.
What to do when eCommerce is not an option?
Carlos Castro, the owner of two Todos Supermarket stores in Virginia, gave an honest and clear presentation of how a small independent grocer can succeed in the midst of the pandemic and offer its Hispanic customers the variety of products they demand. Due to the size of his business and the type of clientele that visit the supermarket, Castro said the use of eCommerce was not feasible in his stores. With the phrase “Don’t offer me the moon because I don’t want to go to the moon, get to know your customers!”, he expressed that the use of online services is not necessarily the only way to grow and improve customer services.
FMI’s Analysis of Lessons Learned from the Pandemic
Mark Baum, Chief Collaboration Officer and SVP, Industry Relations FMI – The Food Industry Association, spoke about the FMI’s work to support and advocate for business in the food industry and the resources they have available. He did an extensive analysis of how Hispanic businesses and consumers are reacting to the COVID-19 crisis, emerging issues, and lessons learned across the supply chain during the pandemic.
How a Company Grows Stronger With Good Leadership
Al Carey, Board Member of Unifi, Inc. and former CEO of PepsiCo North America reflected on the importance of leadership for a team to perform effectively in the midst of crises such as the one we face today. In his presentation on “The Future of Hispanic Retail: Beyond COVID-19,” he said that constant communication and consensus decision-making will help businesses stay afloat, as well as follow the rules of distancing and personal protection to avoid contagion risks.
Guest Panelists Respond Questions From the Audience
The five panelists also responded to participants’ questions to the Abasto webinar, which concluded with an intervention by Dan Calhoun, CEO of Hispanic food distributor La Tortillería and Abasto Media.