The supermarket industry possesses a wealth of emerging talent whose ideas and energy will take it into the future with fresh ideas and innovative practices. At the inaugural Progressive Grocer GenNext Symposium we will honor 25 emerging leaders under 40 who have demonstrated an impact and commitment to this industry with the presentation of our GenNext Awards.  

In the battle to drive sales, gain share and redefine the arena of grocery retail, the past year has belonged to Walmart. Its aggressive investments in omnichannel have even its largest competitors on guard, and the Bentonville, Ark.-based giant has demonstrated that Amazon is far from writing the coda for traditional retailers.

Online shopping, curbside pickup, home delivery via driverless cars, voice ordering, a sweeping store remodeling initiative, a tech incubator, intelligent retail lab, beef supply chain, even a pet pharmacy -- they all add up to a retailer that's bringing its future into the present. 

We're proud to present the 2019 Retailer of the Year award to Walmart at the award's new home: the Progressive Grocer GenNext Symposium.