Produce display signing is typically a well-honed program — but easy it isn’t, and sign management can quickly regress into chaos if not handled properly, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Quality inspectors are the eyes of a fresh produce operation, spotting issues that can lead to shrink at any point. They can also report on quality, which helps in promoting and marketing, says columnist Armand Lobato.
For many grocery chains, the gross profit list is the pass or fail standard for departments. However, things aren’t always what they seem to be, and they sometimes warrant another look, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Produce managers may not have to dive deep into accounting, but they’re not off the hook when it comes to understanding the books; they should know enough to assess department performance, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Benjamin Franklin (indirectly) offers some advice on reducing shrink in the produce department. Columnist Armand Lobato explains the wisdom of Old Ben’s words and shares steps to cut down on potential losses.
Not every job requires using every tool on hand; however, having well-planned “toolkit” can keep productivity rolling, no matter the tasks that arise, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Customers have a unique perspective of the produce world. Before automatic misting systems, hand-watering vegetables sometimes sparked a few customer questions, even skepticism, says columnist Armand Lobato.
How well does your fresh produce inventory “flow? Being proactive while items are still of good quality can help avoid aged inventory and minimize shrink, says columnist Armand Lobato.
