The Future of Grocery Shopping: AI, Personalization, and Predictive Power
March 17, 2026
In this episode of Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights from Farm to Fork, host Katy Jones sits down with Ron Bonacci, Vice President of Analytics and Loyalty at Birdzi and the Owner of REB Enterprise, to explore the massive shift from traditional grocery marketing to AI-driven retail engagement. With over 25 years of experience, including the landmark launch of the Kroger Plus card, Ron shares how modern retailers are using "Agentic AI" to move beyond historical data and enter a new era of real-time, one-to-one personalization. Listeners will discover how predictive analytics can eliminate out-of-stocks, improve fresh food logistics, and even support the "Food as Medicine" movement by tailoring shopping experiences to specific health needs like diabetes or celiac disease.
Trustwell reConnect On-Demand is here! 🖥️
If you work in the food industry, you know that staying ahead of regulations is a constant battle. That’s where Trustwell reCONNECT On-Demand comes in.
We recently hosted our annual virtual summit, bringing together hundreds of industry experts to discuss the future of food safety, traceability, and compliance. Now, you can access the entire library of sessions, featuring actionable insights from brands like Taco John's and Wawa, focusing on everything from FSMA 204 compliance to quality management and supply chain resilience.
Don't miss out on the strategies you need to lead your team. Access the complete reCONNECT On-Demand library for free by visiting: https://www.trustwell.com/reconnect/
The grocery landscape is undergoing a digital revolution where data is no longer just a "nice to know" but the primary driver of supply chain efficiency and customer loyalty. In this deep-dive conversation, host Katy Jones, CEO of Trustwell, sits down with Ron Bonacci to explain how the retail industry has evolved from the early days of physical coupons to automated decision-making that happens in minutes rather than weeks. As an industry veteran who helped pioneer loyalty programs, Ron provides a unique look at how "Agentic AI" acts as a personal shopping assistant for consumers, managing everything from pantry inventory to automated reordering based on individual life stages and purchase cycles.
Beyond marketing, this episode highlights the critical role of AI in solving logistical nightmares in the fresh food category, where shelf life is often measured in days rather than months. Ron explains how demand forecasting can bridge the gap between merchandising, marketing, and the CPG industry to ensure transparency and prevent out-of-stocks that lead to customer dissatisfaction. The discussion also covers the growing importance of "Food as Medicine," revealing how retailers can use actionable analytics to build personalized shopping lists and recipes that help families manage chronic health conditions. Join Katy Jones and Ron Bonacci for a roadmap into the future of automated, personalized, and health-focused grocery shopping.
Trustwell reConnect On-Demand is here! 🖥️
If you work in the food industry, you know that staying ahead of regulations is a constant battle. That’s where Trustwell reCONNECT On-Demand comes in.
We recently hosted our annual virtual summit, bringing together hundreds of industry experts to discuss the future of food safety, traceability, and compliance. Now, you can access the entire library of sessions, featuring actionable insights from brands like Taco John's and Wawa, focusing on everything from FSMA 204 compliance to quality management and supply chain resilience.
Don't miss out on the strategies you need to lead your team. Access the complete reCONNECT On-Demand library for free by visiting: trustwell.com/reconnect
Connect with the team:
👉 Katy Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyjonespr/
👉 Trustwell: https://www.trustwell.com/
👉 Ron Bonacci on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronebonacci/
👉 Birdzi Website: https://birdzi.com/
You can also listen to our podcast here:
👉 Apple - https://apple.co/47afWXM
👉 Spotify - https://bit.ly/4lIA1KP
👉 YouTube - https://bit.ly/3YpdUQW
👉 Fame Host - https://foodtechtalk.co
Beyond marketing, this episode highlights the critical role of AI in solving logistical nightmares in the fresh food category, where shelf life is often measured in days rather than months. Ron explains how demand forecasting can bridge the gap between merchandising, marketing, and the CPG industry to ensure transparency and prevent out-of-stocks that lead to customer dissatisfaction. The discussion also covers the growing importance of "Food as Medicine," revealing how retailers can use actionable analytics to build personalized shopping lists and recipes that help families manage chronic health conditions. Join Katy Jones and Ron Bonacci for a roadmap into the future of automated, personalized, and health-focused grocery shopping.
Trustwell reConnect On-Demand is here! 🖥️
If you work in the food industry, you know that staying ahead of regulations is a constant battle. That’s where Trustwell reCONNECT On-Demand comes in.
We recently hosted our annual virtual summit, bringing together hundreds of industry experts to discuss the future of food safety, traceability, and compliance. Now, you can access the entire library of sessions, featuring actionable insights from brands like Taco John's and Wawa, focusing on everything from FSMA 204 compliance to quality management and supply chain resilience.
Don't miss out on the strategies you need to lead your team. Access the complete reCONNECT On-Demand library for free by visiting: trustwell.com/reconnect
Connect with the team:
👉 Katy Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyjonespr/
👉 Trustwell: https://www.trustwell.com/
👉 Ron Bonacci on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronebonacci/
👉 Birdzi Website: https://birdzi.com/
You can also listen to our podcast here:
👉 Apple - https://apple.co/47afWXM
👉 Spotify - https://bit.ly/4lIA1KP
👉 YouTube - https://bit.ly/3YpdUQW
👉 Fame Host - https://foodtechtalk.co
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