The National Grocers Association hosted The NGA Show 2026, the premier annual event for the independent grocery industry, bringing together retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and technology providers from across the country.
Conference: January 31 – February 2, 2027
Exhibits: February 1–2, 2027
For CresLane, the show was more than just a trade event, it was an opportunity to strengthen relationships, showcase innovation, and reinforce our commitment to the independent grocery community.
Why CresLane Attended NGA
The NGA Show continues to be a cornerstone event for independent grocers, offering valuable education, industry insights, and meaningful networking opportunities. CresLane attended to showcase our advanced POS software platform and demonstrate our latest release, which emphasizes open third-party integration and flexibility.
We were there to connect with current customers, meet potential clients and reseller partners, and stay ahead of emerging grocery and retail technology trends. Most importantly, our presence reinforces CresLane’s commitment to the independent grocery community and our active involvement in this highly respected association.
3 Key Learnings from NGA 2026
1. AI Is Here and It’s Operational
Artificial Intelligence is no longer theoretical. Across sessions and conversations, it was clear that grocers are actively implementing AI to streamline operations, optimize inventory, and enhance decision-making.
2. Direct Communication Matters
The show allowed us to speak directly with retailers and resellers, offering live demonstrations and meaningful conversations about real-world challenges. Face-to-face engagement continues to be one of the most valuable aspects of industry events like NGA.
3. Integration Is the Future of POS
Our POS platform’s strength lies in its openness and flexibility. There is strong interest in solutions that integrate seamlessly with eCommerce, supply chain systems, electronic shelf tags, security platforms, and loyalty programs. The ability to integrate easily with third-party technologies positions CresLane as a powerful and future-ready partner.
Keynote Highlights
Several keynote sessions reinforced the direction the grocery industry is heading:
- Parag Shah: Discussed AI’s role in shaping the future of supermarkets and how retailers can leverage it for competitive advantage.
- Kristine Popp: Led an inspiring conversation on Women in Grocery and leadership in the industry.
- John Abbene: Shared real-world examples of how grocers are using AI today to simplify operations and drive efficiency.
The overarching theme was clear: technology adoption is accelerating, and independent grocers are actively seeking scalable, practical solutions.
Key NGA Conversations
Store Owners
We met with several independent store owners who are looking for better ways to manage their supply chains and improve inventory visibility. Many were curious about how CresLane competes in the market and our strongest differentiator continues to be our open architecture and third-party integration capabilities.
Reseller Partners
We connected with potential resellers to better understand what they need to confidently sell the CresLane platform. Many already offer complementary solutions that integrate with other POS systems and expressed excitement about CresLane’s ease of integration and flexibility.
Technology Providers
We also met with various third-party technology companies offering:
- eCommerce solutions
- Supply chain integrations
- Labeling systems
- Electronic shelf tags
- Security camera systems
- Loyalty programs
These conversations open the door to meaningful integrations that strengthen our ecosystem.
Partners at the CresLane Booth
Throughout the show, we had the opportunity to connect with several valued partners and industry leaders, including Simpleware, Lowes, Goodwins, Market of Choice, Rod Plus, Great Lakes Data Systems, SNCR, Cust2Mate, Local Express, and Aperion. These conversations focused on strengthening existing relationships, exploring new integration opportunities, and identifying ways to better support independent grocers together.
A standout highlight was our new partnership with Cust2Mate. Their smart grocery cart was featured directly in our booth, drawing significant attention and creating strong engagement with attendees. The live demonstrations sparked meaningful discussions about in-store innovation and how advanced technology can enhance the modern grocery experience.
Beyond the Exhibit Floor
NGA also delivered memorable networking and celebration events, including:
- Welcome & 100-Year Anniversary Celebration
- National Grocery Bagger Competition
- Top Golf networking event
- Happy Hour networking sessions
- Student Case Study Competition
- Closing Celebration
These events reinforce the strong sense of community that defines the independent grocery industry.
What’s Next for CresLane?
The momentum from NGA 2026 is already translating into action. We are actively exploring integration with AI-based supply chain solutions and evaluating various hardware options for potential certification. Our team is following up with reseller partners to advance integration opportunities and reconnecting with stores that received live product demonstrations.
In addition, we are preparing quotes for electronic shelf tag implementations and developing cabinet designs for self-checkout solutions. These next steps ensure that the conversations and opportunities from NGA continue to drive tangible growth and innovation for CresLane and the independent grocers we serve.
Looking Ahead
The NGA Show reaffirmed what we already believe: independent grocers are resilient, innovative, and ready to embrace technology that drives efficiency and growth.
CresLane’s open integration approach, strong POS foundation, and expanding partner ecosystem position us to deliver exactly what today’s retailers are asking for.
We’re excited to continue the conversations started at NGA and to help independent grocers thrive in 2026 and beyond.