Heritage Grocers Group (HGG), a leading Hispanic and ethnic food retailer in the United States, has unveiled a bold, technology-driven transformation in how it plans, produces, and delivers fresh prepared foods to its customers. By moving away from traditional experience-based production planning and adopting an advanced, predictive analytics system, the company aims to enhance product availability, optimize labor efficiency, and create an even stronger connection with the culturally diverse communities it serves.
The new approach is designed to more accurately match supply with market demand—ensuring that customer favorites are always in stock—while also reducing waste, improving operational efficiency, and supporting sales growth.
Prabash Coswatte, Chief Operating Officer for Heritage Grocers Group, described the transformation as a significant step forward for the company’s mission to deliver authentic, high-quality foods.
“Leveraging predictive analytics, this system will enhance our ability to meet market demand, improve product availability, and elevate the customer experience,” Coswatte said. “It’s about moving from relying on intuition and past habits to making smarter, real-time decisions that benefit both our shoppers and our team memb
A Growing Retail Powerhouse with Deep Community Roots
Headquartered in Ontario, California, Heritage Grocers Group operates in six states—California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Kansas, and Illinois—under four respected and culturally beloved banners: Cardenas Markets, El Rancho Supermercado, Tony’s Fresh Market, and Los Altos Ranch Market.
The company is known for its extensive fresh offerings, from produce and bakery items to ready-to-eat meals, as well as its commitment to delivering an authentic shopping experience. Each store’s assortment reflects the flavors, traditions, and preferences of its local communities, making HGG a vital part of the multicultural grocery landscape in the U.S.
This hyper-local focus is especially important given that the U.S. grocery industry is seeing a dramatic rise in demand for fresh prepared foods—a trend being driven in large part by multicultural families.
Multicultural Consumers Driving the Prepared Foods Boom
Industry research underscores just how influential multicultural shoppers have become in shaping fresh prepared food sales. According to data from the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA), the percentage of shoppers purchasing prepared foods at grocery stores is significantly higher among Hispanic, Asian American, and African American households compared to white/Caucasian households.
- 76% of Hispanic shoppers purchase prepared foods at grocery stores
- 70% of Asian American shoppers do the same
- 69% of African American shoppers regularly buy prepared meals
- By comparison, only 59% of white/Caucasian shoppers purchase prepared foods in-store
The reasons behind this trend are multifaceted. Larger household sizes, busy work schedules, and a desire to preserve culinary traditions all contribute to the demand for ready-made meals that still feel “home-cooked.” In many multicultural families, food is not just nourishment—it is a central part of cultural identity, celebration, and daily life.
Coswatte emphasized that Heritage Grocers Group is uniquely positioned to meet this demand.
“Fresh prepared isn’t just about convenience anymore—it’s about cultural connection,” he said. “From carnitas and caldo to pan dulce and pozole, our customers want ready-made meals that reflect their traditions and tastes. This new system gives us the ability to respond in real time—store by store, hour by hour—to ensure that the foods they love are always fresh and available.”
Technology at the Core of the Transformation
At the heart of this initiative is a partnership with Upshop, a leading provider of AI-powered retail operations solutions. The platform combines forecasting, production planning, and labor management into one unified system, allowing for precise alignment of store resources with customer demand.
Mike Sanders, CEO of Upshop, described the collaboration as a forward-looking step toward retail excellence.
“We’ve always been about serving our communities in a way that feels personal and authentic. This technology simply helps us do that better, faster, and more efficiently. It’s about bringing the best of both worlds—heritage and innovation—together in every meal we serve.”
The predictive analytics platform uses real-time data—such as sales trends, seasonal patterns, and local events—to forecast demand with far greater accuracy than traditional methods. This not only improves product availability but also minimizes the risk of overproduction, which can lead to food waste and increased costs.
Benefits for Shoppers and Employees
The transformation promises significant benefits on multiple fronts. For shoppers, it means:
- Consistent product availability for popular prepared food items
- Fresher products, since production will be more closely matched to real-time demand
- Greater variety, as stores can adjust offerings quickly in response to emerging trends or seasonal events
For employees, the new system will streamline production schedules and help ensure that staffing is aligned with peak demand periods—reducing stress during busy hours and avoiding inefficiencies during slower times. This can improve job satisfaction and allow staff to focus more on quality and customer service.
A Competitive Advantage in a Changing Market
The U.S. grocery sector is undergoing rapid transformation, with shoppers expecting not only fresh and high-quality products but also tailored experiences that reflect their lifestyles and preferences. Retailers who can anticipate demand and deliver consistently will stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
By embracing predictive analytics for fresh prepared foods, Heritage Grocers Group is positioning itself ahead of the curve—especially in the growing multicultural grocery segment. The initiative reflects the company’s broader vision: to blend tradition with innovation, honoring cultural heritage while using modern tools to improve operations.
Coswatte summed it up:
“We’ve always been about serving our communities in a way that feels personal and authentic. This technology simply helps us do that better, faster, and more efficiently. It’s about bringing the best of both worlds—heritage and innovation—together in every meal we serve.”
With this transformation, Heritage Grocers Group is not just investing in technology—it is investing in the future of food retail, ensuring that diverse communities across its six-state footprint continue to find flavors that feel like home, now backed by the precision and efficiency of next-generation analytics.
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