Sierra Brewer stands at the exciting intersection of tradition and innovation in grocery. As a Cornell University student preparing to become the first US category manager for The Modern Milkman, she brings fresh perspectives on how sustainability and convenience can reshape grocery retail.
What makes this episode particularly compelling is Sierra's bold prediction that the grocery industry is approaching a critical inflection point—"a bubble about to pop." She identifies four major forces driving this change: economic pressures forcing price sensitivity, expansion of hard discounters, acceleration of digital shopping options, and shifting consumer preferences toward sustainability and transparency.
Sierra also addresses the significant gender disparity in grocery leadership. Despite women comprising two-thirds of the grocery workforce, only 10% of newly appointed retail CEOs last year were women. Her experiences with female mentors like Stacey Tovar at Whole Foods and Jennifer Boone at Albertsons highlight the importance of seeing women succeed in leadership positions.
Her enthusiasm for bringing young talent into grocery is matched by her conviction that independents can thrive by emphasizing local connections, sustainability, and personalized shopping experiences that mass retailers cannot replicate.
Ready to hear how the next generation views the future of grocery? Sierra's insights will challenge your assumptions and inspire new thinking about where our industry is headed.
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Host: Kristin Popp
Producer: Rachael Melot
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