On demand: Developing retail store standards and navigating complex innovations

Few retailers pay as much attention to standards as those in the natural and organic products industry. After all, it’s standards—and the products those standards drive toward store shelves—that in many ways set the industry apart from its conventional competitors. Innovation, too, serves as one of the industry’s foundations. But store standards and product innovations never stand still for industry retailers.  

New third-party-verified certifications constantly emerge, offering retailers fresh opportunities to raise standards. Always-evolving consumer desires constantly pressure retailers to carry products that meet their expectations. Brands routinely introduce new products representing leaps forward in terms of innovation.   

Please join Natural Foods Merchandiser’s latest installment of its ongoing Retail Education Series, Developing Retail Store Standards and Navigating Complex Innovations, for an in-depth conversation and deep dive into best practices for retailers interested in updating standards and shepherding consequential innovation onto store shelves. 

Watch this webinar, now available on demand. 

Speakers 

Shelley Sapsin, VP, Market Integrity 
Informa Markets 

As the vice president of market integrity, Shelley Sapsin leads initiatives to foster transparency and uphold integrity at Informa events and within the industry. Her role encompasses setting and maintaining event standards at Natural Products Expo and SupplySide events, overseeing the MarketReady regulatory consulting program, and developing and operating Beacon Discovery—New Hope’s discovery and engagement platform for natural products brands and retailers. 

Rebecca Robinson, Quality Standards Manager 
PCC Markets 

Rebecca Robinson oversees the development and management of product sustainability standards at PCC Markets, focusing on setting impactful, achievable and science-backed standards. She also guides PCC’s advocacy work related to organic regulations and toxic chemicals in consumer products. Rebecca earned her master’s degree from Humboldt State University’s Environment and Community program; her master’s thesis focused on the commodification of disease and cause-marketing. Rebecca’s focus on interdisciplinary sustainability and human-nature coupled systems has led to her gaining a diverse background in environmental toxicology, climate sciences, political economy, regenerative and organic agriculture and green building. 

Lauren Porter, Director of Retail Growth & Innovation 
HowGood 

Lauren Porter, director of retail growth and innovation at HowGood, will share insights on the mounting pressure for the food system to be transparent regarding sustainability. Based on years of experience working with brands, retailers and food tech, Lauren will introduce a framework for retailers to move from "compliance" to "comprehensive value" in sustainability standards. Lauren has led teams that service retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Ahold Delhaize and Walmart in defining sourcing standards and product attribute requirements. She lives in West Texas where her family has ranched for four generations. 

Emily Kanter, Co-Owner and CEO 
Cambridge Naturals 

Emily Kanter is the second generation co-owner and CEO of Cambridge Naturals, a 50-year-old natural wellness retailer with two locations in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts. Originally from the Boston area, Emily spent several formative years in Portland, Oregon, with her now-husband (and fellow co-owner) Caleb. She received her MBA from Bainbridge Graduate Institute in that city. Emily serves as chair of the Independent Natural Foods Retailers Association's board of directors and as an advisor to organizations including Real Pickles and Walden Mutual Bank. 

Moderator 

Douglas Brown, Sr. Retail Reporter and Analyst 
New Hope Network 

Douglas Brown worked as a full-time journalist for daily newspapers and magazines for more than 20 years, including six years covering the White House and Capitol Hill and a decade writing about food and agriculture for The Denver Post. He now serves as New Hope Network's senior retail reporter, covering a broad range of industry sectors.