62 January | February 2026 abasto.com Operators will need to double down on culturally fluent management, bilingual training, and clear promotion pathways The most successful Hispanic food retailers will integrate in-store experiences, including events, tastings, and seasonal or regional Hispanic product bundles. They will offer mobile promotions, creator partnerships, and lo- yalty programs with gamified rewards to encourage repeat visits, celebrate cultural moments, and connect in shoppers preferred language and channels. It promises to be another very busy year! Digital Shelves and In-Store Technology Electronic and digital shelf labels are be- coming one of the most visible tech upgra- des for Hispanic supermarkets, following aggressive rollout by national chains. Retailers are adopting these systems to re- duce labor for weekly price changes, main- tain pricing accuracy between shelves and checkout, and respond quickly with promo- tions to inflation-sensitive shoppers. Beyond price automation, digital labels can provide more detailed information critical for Hispanic food buyers: bilingual descriptions, allergen and key ingredient highlights, and QR codes linking to reci- pes and loyalty offers. Features like pick-to-light and stock- to-light will also reshape store opera- tions, helping staff and pickers locate top Hispanic SKUs quickly for click-and-co- llect and home delivery orders. Workforce Pressures and Opportunities Hispanic workers have demonstrated notable resilience and high labor partici- pation, even as overall U.S. employment growth slows. However, immigration-dri- ven policy measures are reducing the avai- lable workforce in large-scale agriculture and food industries. For Hispanic retailers, this presents a para- dox: a strong, younger front-end workforce, paired with chronic shortages and higher costs upstream, creating risks of stockouts especially in fresh produce and meat. Inside stores, 2026 will bring more ur- gency around retention, skill-building, and flexible scheduling. Retailers will rely on leaner teams to execute highly techno- logical, omnichannel workflows. Marketing, Merchandising, and Loyalty With spending growth stagnant, retailers must increase precision marketing and differentiated merchandising, especially around value. Flyers and displays will need to highli- ght affordable meal solutions. Private-label staples and club-size pac- kaging help multigenerational house- holds stretch budgets without sacrificing cultural identity. Continuation of page 60 FOOD INDUSTRY Action Plan for 2026