Armand Lobato

Latest Stories
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.
A leader who gives what is needed to succeed often sees a return in worker moral — and optimal sales, 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.
As a manager starting a new assignment, it’s tempting to start making changes to the produce department. But there is more to consider when taking over a well-run produce department, says columnist Armand Lobato.
“Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old days … ”
Perfection is a tough reach, yet it’s a constant goal in the produce aisle, says columnist Armand Lobato, who shares why pursuing that standard still matters.