Technology is Transforming the Grocery Industry

Written by: Jeff Main, Sr. Vice President Information Technology, Festival Foods

What is the first business to cross your mind when you hear the words innovative technology?

If you pictured a grocery store, I’d be surprised. The truth is, however, that grocers must embrace advanced technology to keep guests coming back in this very competitive industry. Festival Foods is doing just that.

With 40 store locations throughout Wisconsin and two more in the planning stages, Festival Foods is growing at a fast pace. In only the past seven years, we’ve doubled our store count. To support that growth, we must be highly invested in technology solutions.

Our team of nearly 40 IT professionals builds and manages multiple systems. We also keep an eye on developing technology, such as the technology that powers the Festival Foods Gas Rewards Program, which launched in 2022. A partnership between Festival Foods and Kwik Trip, Gas Rewards is a customer loyalty program that enables shoppers at Festival Foods stores to earn Gas Rewards points on purchases. Points are redeemable at Kwik Trip locations for discounts on gas.

To bring the Gas Rewards program from concept to reality, Festival Foods’ IT team developed software that was later implemented in the cloud. The use of cloud technology facilitated a reliable and “always on” solution for both companies.

Here’s how it works: Festival Foods and Kwik Trip locations connect to the cloud to exchange Gas Rewards points in real time, which means a shopper at Festival Foods can redeem points at Kwik Trip within seconds of completing a transaction.

Other innovations are coming for Festival Foods guests. Later this year, we’ll begin offering digital manufacturer coupons. Guests will access savings through a digital channel that is replacing many paper coupons industrywide. The solution will be integrated with the Festival Foods online shopping service and our Gas Rewards program, providing guests with a seamless digital experience.

The expansion of self-checkouts

– in response to positive guest feedback – is also in process.

Both in-store and online grocery shopping are sure to be transformed by these technologies in the coming years – say nothing of technology that isn’t yet developed. Festival Foods is committed to keeping pace with advancements in technology that will improve the shopping experience for every guest.