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Armand Lobato

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Armand Lobato
Opinion
Why a Busy Store Often Means Better Produce
Slow inventory turn can often lead to losing shoppers’ trust — and regaining customer confidence takes time and money, says columnist Armand Lobato.
October 16, 2026 02:22 PM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
How the ‘PLOT’ Strategy Drives Foodservice Produce Sales
Potatoes, lettuce, onions and tomatoes are foundational staples that unlock sales of other items, says columnist Armand Lobato.
October 12, 2026 05:03 PM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
Graph Paper, Sticky Notes and a Blueprint for Merchandising Makeovers
Managers who plan properly before a fixture is moved on the produce floor can make a major changeover more efficient — and build a template for the next big project.
October 05, 2026 11:22 AM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
How’s Business This Week? Keep an Eye on Basket Size
Columnist Armand Lobato explains what can be learned from observing shopping carts — both in your store and at a competitor.
September 28, 2026 03:25 PM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
Why Every Produce Department Needs a Written Operations Manual
Even if a manager insists the produce team “knows what to do,” operation standards essentially don’t exist if they aren’t defined in writing — and not doing that can lead to breakdowns later on, says columnist Armand Lobato.
September 21, 2026 03:35 PM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
Limitations and Possibilities: A Produce Specialist’s Job Defined
Even if a store doesn’t have a healthy budget for new merchandising tools, a specialist can still go big by making more out of the resources on hand, says columnist Armand Lobato.
September 14, 2026 06:44 PM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
10 Steps to Prep Your Department for ‘Judgment Day’
Fretting over the impending quarter-end inventory? Columnist Armand Lobato offers a few ways to ease the stress.
September 04, 2026 04:28 PM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
Don’t Say Goodbye to Summer Without a Late-Season Push
Retailers shouldn’t rush a fall transition in the produce department, as the sales window for high-margin summer favorites extends longer than you might think, says columnist Armand Lobato.
August 31, 2026 05:45 PM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
Grit and the ‘Sandy Technique’: A Lesson in Handling Tough Cold Calls
Person-to-person relationships are the heart and soul of the produce industry, but getting through the door to make those initial connections sometimes requires perseverance — and a little something extra, says columnist Armand Lobato.
August 24, 2026 10:39 AM
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Armand Lobato
Armand Lobato
Opinion
A Produce Q&A With an Eye-Opening Takeaway
Columnist Armand Lobato says he’s been known to test the knowledge of produce managers and clerks when the opportunity arises, and the answers are often quite revealing.
August 17, 2026 04:10 PM
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Armand Lobato