Latest News From Joe Watson

The people serving in this vital role often come with a multitude of unique characteristics, as well as expertise and ideas, but some stores fail to tap into that resource, says columnist Joe Watson.

Oftentimes, evening shoppers get the leftovers, the picked-over product. The wet wall is drowned, the mango pyramid collapsed and the salad Picasso looks like mud now.

Here’s how a hit instrumental song serves as a warning in the produce department.

How has the work ethic evolved through the generations, and what motivates us?

From my very first supermarket, the repeat customers were a key component to that store’s success and business growth.

Yes, December has a lot packed into 31 days, but does December still have the impact it once had in retail grocery?

In 2022, we came back together after a long break (too long).

Even after a great success, we have to keep vigilant to avoid a potential crash-and-burn. We must explore out-of-the-box solutions to today's critical challenges.

The simplest definition of snacking is consuming food between main meals — but snacking has a bad reputation sometimes.

They rise early, just like a farmer or baker does, to begin the day.

By its very nature, snacking is a spur-of-the-moment decision, and retailers can get creative with that impulse, reminding shoppers fresh produce is a great option.

Even retailers well-versed in handling local programs can fine-tune their strategies. Retail expert Joe Watson has you covered.

Rolling mounds of vibrant color, prestige, limited-time availability — those are just a few shared qualities between a seemingly dissimilar supermarket area and a high-end sporting event.

After three years of participating in major industry events, we improved our sourcing and connections with suppliers nationwide. At that time, we had only six stores, so it took a lot to get noticed by large suppliers.

The appetite for celebrating is strong, so meeting consumers where they are may require a different approach to selling during this holiday period.

For most businesses, this harrowing year has often felt like flying the airplane while building it, and yet so much good has come out of an incredibly turbulent period.

Each year retailers lean into the final two months of the calendar to capitalize on a strong demand for produce as well as seasonal items meant to charm the senses during what generally is a jubilant and festive period.

Right about now, we were all supposed to be in Dallas, which was set to host for the first time the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit conference and expo.

Time to strike while the iron is hot for strawberries, grapes, watermelons and more.

If the past two months seem more like two years, you are not alone. As COVID-19 fatigue continues, we all long for a return to a sense of normalcy.

March was a very long year.

As the calendar turns to the months that end in “-ber,” that sigh of relief you hear is produce retailers collectively breathing again as the summer season winds down.