NGA, CART Team Up to Offer Marketplace Online Platform

The National Grocers Association (NGA) and the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) have partnered to offer a new online platform designed to help retailers keep pace with supermarket technology innovation.

A free resource for retailers, the CART marketplace provides access to new solutions in the form of white papers and case studies, as well as ratings and reviews from fellow retailers.

Additionally, solution providers are able to benefit from access to the sizable supermarket industry, particularly the thousands of stores encompassing the independent and mid-market sector.

"Retailers and brand manufacturers are experiencing information overload as they seek to stay informed of the rapidly growing number of innovative solutions coming into the market," said Gary Hawkins, CEO of CART. "CART's platform is designed to help retailers and brands discover, evaluate, and engage new technologies. There is nothing else like it available in the retail industry today."

CART also provides services to consumer goods brand manufacturers. Operating retail stores participating in CART's network serve as "live learning labs" where CPG brands can test in-store merchandising innovation along with piloting new shopper-facing technologies.

"Given the importance of technology to retail we are excited to help bring the new CART marketplace to independent grocers, and provide our members with resources and information on how to integrate the latest technology techniques into their business strategies," said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of NGA.

Arlington, Va.-based NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry.