GroceryConnex preview: What does it take to win Canadian grocery shoppers?

With grocery shoppers increasingly focused on getting more for their money, what can retailers do to stand out from the competition and grow market share?

That question will be explored at GroceryConnex 2026 on November 23 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, where attendees will get early insights from dunnhumby’s latest Canadian Retailer Preference Index (RPI).

Based on a survey of more than 6,000 households about more than 35 of Canada’s largest grocery retailers, the index examines what matters most to shoppers and what retailers are doing to win their loyalty.  

Ahead of the event, Canadian Grocer contributing editor Rosalind Stefanac spoke with Erich Kahner, Global Head of Competitive Strategy & Insights at dunnhumby, about the changing priorities of Canadian grocery shoppers and what retailers should be watching.

While savings continue to play a major role in Canadians’ grocery decisions, Kahner says price alone isn’t enough to guarantee long-term success. Discount retailers, for example, must also address shoppers’ perceptions of quality, while he expects personalization and loyalty rewards to continue gaining importance across both discount and conventional formats.

Regional differences also matter. With distinct competitive landscapes and consumer priorities across the country, dunnhumby’s index uses separate regional models to better understand what drives retailer preference in different markets.

At GroceryConnex, Kahner will join Jim Prins, Commercial Director of Americas at dunnhumby, for the session “How to grow market share: Insights from dunnhumby's Retailer Preference Index.” Together, they'll explore what distinguishes winning retailers and how grocers can better drive long-term growth.

GroceryConnex is where Canada’s grocery and CPG leaders gather to discover emerging opportunities and ways to propel their companies forward. Top executives from grocers including Calgary Co-op, Empire, Loblaw, Longo’s, Metro, Pattison, Sobeys and Walmart will be in attendance.

Secure your seat now before it's too late: GroceryConnex has sold out in each of the past three years.