The CPG Guys

The Future of Grocery: Introducing GroceryLab with FMI's Doug Baker

In this episode, Doug Baker, Vice President of Industry Relations at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), discusses the grocery sector’s lag in technology adoption and introduces Grocery Lab, a hands‑on, cross‑functional event slated for June 2‑4, 2026 in Detroit’s historic Gem Theater. Baker explains how thin margins, legacy systems, and siloed decision‑making have historically stifled innovation, but rising labor pressures, margin squeezes, and shopper expectations are forcing a collaborative, AI‑driven approach. Grocery Lab is designed as a participatory think‑tank where retailers, CPG brands, and technology providers co‑create zero‑friction shopping experiences, turning ideas into actionable prototypes. The Detroit setting underscores the industry’s need for resilience and reinvention, mirroring the city’s own comeback story.