Interview by Riad Beladi, Editor, International Supermarket NewsSupermarket buyers play one of the most important roles in the food retail industry. Their decisions influence which brands succeed, which local producers gain access to consumers, and ultimately what shoppers place in their baskets. To better understand how these decisions are made, International Supermarket News spoke with Monsieur Jean-Pierre Dubois, a former E.Leclerc buyer with many years of experience selecting products for French consumers. Riad Beladi: Looking ahead, how do you think the role of supermarket buyers will evolve over the next five years? Jean-Pierre Dubois: Buyers will increasingly rely on data, consumer insights and technology, but personal relationships will remain essential.