Food Retail’s Next Build: Smarter Energy, Sharper Compliance

Whether you’re working through how to source store flooring that lasts, or how to design refrigeration systems that meet next-gen energy codes, everything comes back to store development. From the floor to the ceiling, every inch of the store is under pressure to perform smarter, cleaner, and more cost-effectively.

But beyond functionality, today’s grocery store must also deliver an experience that keeps shoppers coming back. In a competitive landscape where convenience and expectations are higher than ever, thoughtful design is key to creating inviting, efficient spaces that engage consumers and strengthen loyalty.

New Challenges

Energy itself is entering a new era. With data centers and electrification demands straining power grids, retailers face a tough balancing act: how to keep stores on and operations flowing while still building for growth.

Refrigerant transition planning has also moved from a future concern to a today problem. As A2L and CO₂ systems become the practical path forward, retailers need more than regulatory awareness — they need a clear-eyed look at capital planning, permitting, and real-world retrofit strategy. That’s why this year’s program includes an expanded track dedicated specifically to the compliance and regulatory landscape, so attendees leave with an actionable read on what’s changing and what it means for their next capital cycle.

And then there’s AI, full of potential, but still new for many. It’s moving quickly, and the rules haven’t caught up yet. How can you make AI work for your operations now, even as the landscape continues to evolve?

At E+SD 2026, we’re not just talking about these challenges, we’re solving them. Attendees will hear from peers who are building stores that flex with uncertainty, experts unpacking the latest in energy and refrigerant policy, and innovators using AI to rethink operations from the ground up. Sessions will also dive into real-world strategies for cutting costs and building toward long-term sustainability goals, whether through smarter equipment investments, energy efficiency gains, carbon and GHG reporting strategy, or streamlined store development plans.

Join us this fall and walk away with the insights, connections and strategies you need to build smarter, future-ready stores, no matter what comes next. Register today.