SUPERMARKET MANAGEMENT CLASS 2027

May 17th – May 21st, 2027 | The Coca Cola Company HQ, Atlanta, GA

22 Sessions with Industry Professionals with Real-World Application on Grocery Operations, Finance, and Retail Leadership.
Benefit from both learning formats, classroom and online (300+ supermarket specific online courses).

CLICK TO REGISTER!

2026 Yearbook

2027 Brochure

DEAN'S MESSAGE

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Paulo Goelzer, PhD. President at CEO of IGA Institute & Retail Learning Institute, Speaker at International Supermarket Management Class

PAULO GOELZER, Ph.D | SMC DEAN | PRESIDENT EMERITUS
RETAIL LEARNING INSTITUTE | IGA COCA-COLA INSTITUTE

The grocery business is fast, fluid, and—above all—profoundly human. In this people-centered industry, inventory turn daily and customer feedback is immediate. Effective leaders must strike a delicate balance: applying sound management practices while also demonstrating the kind of leadership that inspires teams to deliver a superior shopping experience.

Grocery teams are diverse, frequently cross-trained, and required to adapt in real time. Yet, most management training programs rely on a “one-size-fits-all” approach that overlooks the unique realities of supermarket retail. That is precisely why the Supermarket Management Class (SMC) has thrived for more than two decades.

Delivered by a faculty of 20+ seasoned industry professionals, the SMC has built a reputation for measurable impact, long-term partnerships, and proven leadership development. By focusing on the specific challenges and opportunities of grocery retail, the SMC equips managers not only to run stores efficiently but also to lead people effectively—ensuring both operational excellence and memorable customer experiences.

SMC SESSIONS

SMC SESSIONS


LEADERSHIP Retail • State of the Economy • Positioning for Retail Success Leadership in the Grocery Industry • This session features real-world experiences and perspectives, focusing on identifying the unique traits of leaders in retail Self-Assessment • Understanding oneself and one’s tendencies begins with self-assessment Peer-to-Peer Learning (Group Activity) • Cohort-based learning offers significant benefits through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and collaboration Human Resources • Hiring and Retention Strategies for Managers Retail Learning • From Costly Mistakes to Smart Performance: Training Done Right Store Innovation & Development Plan (Group Activity) • Benefit from multiple perspectives to create your own plan STORE OPERATIONS Loss Prevention • Protecting the Bottom Line Category Management • Category Management for Grocers Pricing • Pricing for Profitable Growth	From Data to Decisions: Leveraging AI Across the Grocery Enterprise • A strategic look at how grocers can thoughtfully adopt AI tools to drive efficiency and unlock growth Digital Marketing • Digital Marketing for the Grocery Industry Cybersecurity • Essentials for Protecting your Grocery Store Fresh Research • Consumer Goods and Food Service Insights Finance • Financial Indicators and a path to success Natural & Organics • Listening to the Voice of the Natural Consumer Sustainability • $15k in 15 min – Find easy no-cost opportunities to maximize profits DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS Bakery • What’s Now. What’s New. What’s Next: Driving Success with In-store Bakery Deli and Food Service • How to make your Deli a Destination! Meat • Creating a unique shopping experience in your Meat Department Produce • Produce-ing Excellence: Training Associates for Today’s Produce Department

LEADERSHIP

Retail
• State of the Economy
• Positioning for Retail Success

Leadership in the Grocery Industry
• This session features real-world experiences and
perspectives, focusing on identifying the unique traits of leaders in retail

Self-Assessment
• Understanding oneself and one’s tendencies begins with self-assessment

Peer-to-Peer Learning (Group Activity)
• Cohort-based learning offers significant benefits through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and collaboration

Human Resources
• Hiring and Retention Strategies for Managers

Retail Learning
• From Costly Mistakes to Smart Performance: Training Done Right

Store Innovation & Development Plan (Group Activity)
• Benefit from multiple perspectives to create your own plan

STORE OPERATIONS

Loss Prevention
• Protecting the Bottom Line

Category Management
• Category Management for Grocers

Pricing
• Pricing for Profitable Growth

From Data to Decisions: Leveraging AI Across the Grocery Enterprise
• A strategic look at how grocers can thoughtfully adopt AI tools to drive efficiency and unlock growth

Digital Marketing
• Digital Marketing for the Grocery Industry

Cybersecurity
• Essentials for Protecting your Grocery Store

Fresh Research
• Consumer Goods and Food Service Insights

Finance
• Financial Indicators and a path to success

Natural & Organics
• Listening to the Voice of the Natural Consumer

Sustainability
• $15k in 15 min – Find easy no-cost opportunities to maximize profits

DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS

Bakery
• What’s Now. What’s New. What’s Next: Driving Success with In-store Bakery

Deli and Food Service
• How to make your Deli a Destination!

Meat
• Creating a unique shopping experience in your Meat Department

Produce
• Produce-ing Excellence: Training Associates for Today’s Produce Department

STORE TOUR

STORE TOUR

The first event of the class is the store tour. On Sunday, the group boards the bus to visit key food retailers in Atlanta, representing a variety of formats. The Institute Team will explain their history, business profile, and outstanding characteristics. Participants will explore the stores and share their impressions.

The tour lasts 4 hours. Students will return in time for the class Welcome and Registration at the hotel.

Participation in the Store Tour is optional.

Store Tour

PRICING

PRICING

Early bird: $2,295 USD
Regular : $2,695 USD
Early bird deadline: March 8, 2027

DISCOUNTS

Group Discount: 2+ participants save $100 USD each

HOTEL

HOTEL RESERVATION

Hampton Inn Atlanta Georgia Tech Downtown

AMENITIES	RESERVATION
Free breakfast Parking Free Wi-Fi Business center Fitness center Connecting rooms Smoke-free Pet-friendly rooms	HAMPTON INN ATLANTA-GEORGIA TECH-DOWNTOWN 244 North Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Hotel Phone = 404-881-0881 Hotel Check-in = 3:00 PM Hotel Check-out = 12:00 Noon Hotel Rate per night = $174 USD Hotel Room Types = 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (all rooms are non-smoking) Hotel Parking per night = $25 USD Hotel Payment = Credit card Hotel Reservations = Call the hotel reception at 404-881-0881 or visit the reservation website Hotel Cancellation Policy = Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Any cancellation made after 11:59 PM, two days before arrival, will result in a charge of one full night room rate plus tax per cancelled room. No credits or refunds. Hotel Group Behavior Policy = Disruptive behavior by group members — such as loud noises, shouting, slamming doors, running in hallways, or similar disturbances — may result in fines imposed by the hotel on the individuals responsible.

AMENITIES

RESERVATION

Free breakfast
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Business center
Fitness center
Connecting rooms
Smoke-free
Pet-friendly rooms

HAMPTON INN ATLANTA-GEORGIA TECH-DOWNTOWN

244 North Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Hotel Phone = 404-881-0881
Hotel Check-in = 3:00 PM
Hotel Check-out = 12:00 Noon
Hotel Rate per night = $174 USD
Hotel Room Types = 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (all rooms are non-smoking)
Hotel Parking per night = $25 USD
Hotel Payment = Credit card
Hotel Reservations = Call the hotel reception at 404-881-0881 or visit
the reservation website
Hotel Cancellation Policy = Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Any cancellation made after 11:59 PM, two days before arrival, will result in a charge of one full night room rate plus tax per cancelled room. No credits or refunds.
Hotel Group Behavior Policy = Disruptive behavior by group members — such as loud noises, shouting, slamming doors, running in hallways, or similar
disturbances — may result in fines imposed by the hotel on the individuals responsible.

VENUE

ABOUT VENUE

Atlanta is a major economic center, home to the headquarters of several Fortune 500 companies, and known for its rich history and diverse culture. Join us for our next class, May 17th – May 21st, 2027, when we will return to The Coca-Cola Company Headquarters in Atlanta.

The Coca-Cola Company Headquarters in Atlanta