Robert Carter is Canada’s leading food retail strategist and consumer behaviour industry expert. He has an expansive background in the industry with 20 years of experience spanning operations, strategy, marketing, and consumer research. As an innovative leader in the food industry, he has developed powerful relationships with industry leaders and has become a highly regarded industry expert with dynamic communication skills and an immense passion for tracking food trends and consumer activity.
During his 14 years as Executive Director of Food and Retail at The NPD Group and currently as Managing Partner at The StratonHunter Group, Robert collaborates with organizations and provides key insights on organizational structure, business/marketing strategy, and consumer insights, guiding Canadian, the U.S. and global manufacturers, suppliers, Grocery and Chain Restaurants through strategic planning initiatives to nurture growth opportunities and create transformational organizational change. He has become a major asset, referred to by many as “a secret weapon”, in helping their corporation create high-performing executive teams while providing streamlined pathways to boost revenue and market share.
Robert’s portfolio of clients has included companies such as Loblaws, Sobey’s, Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, Chick fil A, Redberry Restaurants, Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee, Tim Hortons, McDonalds, Recipes, Starbucks, Boston Pizza, Nestle and Kraft/Heinz to name a few.
His insights are in the spotlight at numerous industry events such as the Canadian Coffee conference, Canadian Tea conference, Retail Council of Canada STORE conference, Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit, Restaurant Canada Foodservice Show, BC Foodservice Show, and the Grocery Innovation show. Robert is frequently quoted in major newspapers and magazines; appears on television newscasts including BNN as a regular industry expert and writes a monthly column for Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine. Robert is responsible for developing and hosting numerous annual industry trade shows including The Coffee Association of Canada Show, The Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit, and The Canadian Food Summit.
A dedicated and passionate industry supporter, Robert has provided his industry expertise as a member on numerous boards and advisory committees such as the Coffee Association of Canada, School of Hospitality Humber College, Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit, Canadian Association of Foodservice Professional and Restaurants Canada.