64 • May | June 2026 • abasto.com I ndependent Hispanic grocery sto- res have a competitive edge that national chains have had a tou- gh time replicating - they have built trust in their communities. These in- dependents have built this trust over time through relationships, culture, and language. AI is now enabling a stronger connection that will help to turn the neighborhood grocery sto- res into a community omnichannel businesses. This change does not mean that gro- cers will stop talking to their shoppers; it means that they will talk to them even more with deep authentic inten- tion. Using AI to analyze how shoppers buy across digital touchpoints can help Hispanic grocers better unders- tand how shoppers interact with their brand. For example, AI tools like Chat- How AI is Powering the Next Generation of Hispanic Grocers POR KEN NINOMIYA MARKETING OMNICANAL GPT can help create simple bilingual messages that accurately reflect what real customers want, leading to greater loyalty and larger baskets. AI is changing the way promotions are also shared. With tools like Can- va, Notebook LM and Nano Banana, grocery stores can make bilingual circulars and social media posts that speak to their shopper in just a few minutes. You can send these via SMS, email, and social media, so you can be sure promotions reach customers no matter where they are helping their brands look more authentic. Hispanic grocery stores can also stay ahead of customer preferences by using AI-driven social listening tools like Perplexity AI to analyze real-time conversations on social media to understand what Hispanic consumers are talking about right now. By using AI to “listen” at scale, grocers can stay culturally relevant, connect with their communities in a more authentic way, and become the place where shoppers go for what they want next. Get started using AI to help with social listening today by typing the following prompt into your favorite AI engine: “Analyze current social media con- versations and online trends among Hispanic consumers in the U.S. (or specific market) related to grocery shopping, food preferences, and cooking habits. Identify top tren- ding products, cultural food trends by country of origin, health and we- llness preferences, and emerging shopper needs. Summarize the top three insights and provide actionable opportunities for a (grocery retailer or CPG brand). Give me three ac- tion steps I can take to maximize the opportunity for each insight.” Hispanic grocery stores that use AI will not only retain their unique identity but also strengthen it as the grocery business becomes more competitive and digital. From Bodega to Brand: • FOOD INDUSTRY