86 • March | April 2026 • abasto.com Educational Sessions at NGA Show 2026 Educational sessions also underscored supplier diversity and localized assort- ment planning as growth levers for 2026. Speakers from NGA Show and Salient noted that Hispanic consumer spending continues to outpace overall U.S. grocery growth, especially in bilingual-market corridors across Texas, Florida and the Southwest. To serve these shoppers effec- tively, grocers are being encouraged to use advanced retail data tools to track cultural buying cycles and to deepen partnerships with Hispanic-owned CPG brands. Sustainability and workforce deve- lopment also took center stage. Seve- ral panels highlighted family-owned Hispanic retailers making strides in energy-efficient refrigeration and em- ployee training aligned with commu- nity values, validating the strategy that operational modernization can go hand-in-hand with cultural integrity. As NGA President Greg Ferrara summari- zed in his closing remarks, “Independent grocers thrive when they reflect the com- munities they serve. Technology and tra- dition are no longer opposing forces — they’re partners in local growth.” For Hispanic retailers, that message sig- nals a year of strong opportunity. Accor- ding to speakers at the NGA Show 2026, it will be one driven by community connec- tion, smarter technology investments and a continued emphasis on heritage-cente- red retailing innovation. Save the date THE NGA SHOW 2027 Date: January 31–February 2 Location: MGM Grand Conference Center, Las Vegas, Nevada AT THE HALLWAYS OF THE NGA SHOW 7.Sigma Team, Silvana Arzeno. 8. Rica, Jaime Pina Sweeney, Genaro Pérez y Brau- lio José Brache. 9. Supermercados Talpa, Louis Cárdenas, Carlos Torrellas, David Herrera, Alejandra Cárdenas y Francisco Chiquillo. 10. Todos Supermarkets, Carlos Castro. 11. Ricky Joy. 12. Equipo Arteagas Food Center. 7 8 12 11 9 10 • Continuation of page 84 • FOOD INDUSTRY