Episode Details

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from the Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026, Chris Walton sits down with John Ross, President & CEO of IGA, as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary and reflects on the evolving role of independent grocers around the world.

Ross explains how IGA's network of more than 8,000 independent stores across 30+ countries is helping local retailers compete at scale while preserving their community-first approach. He also shares why collaboration across retailers and manufacturers is essential to addressing human rights in global supply chains, how IGA is simplifying retail media for independent operators, and why long-term sustainability must remain a business priority regardless of shifting political climates.

Key Topics Covered:

• IGA's 100-year history and its global network of independent grocers
• Why IGA describes itself as an $80 billion alliance of independent retailers
• The unique role of the Consumer Goods Forum in bringing retailers and manufacturers together
• IGA's leadership in the CGF Human Rights Coalition
• Addressing forced labor, debt bondage, and child labor across global supply chains
• Why local retailers need scalable technology and shared infrastructure
• How IGA simplifies retail media for independent grocery operators
• The challenge of normalizing data across thousands of retailers
• Why retail media success depends on simplicity and measurable ROI
• Balancing local community needs with global retail collaboration
• Why sustainability should remain a core business strategy regardless of political change
• Keeping customer expectations at the center of every retail decision

Special thanks to the CGF Leadership Studio sponsored by Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail's coverage from the Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026 in Vienna.