Armand Lobato

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The recent Tops supermarket shooting brings to mind memories of my one-time coworker Dan, who was, sadly, also shot and killed 27 years ago in the grocery store where he worked.
Help the customer out ... get your products on the shelves.
Just as going through the motions in courses may not accomplish much, the same can be said for the produce aisle.
A produce manager’s predawn musings: What were the sales from the previous day? Did our load arrive overnight, just get there or, worse, hadn’t yet pulled into the dock? Any out-of-stocks?
When manufacturing people talk about swing shifts, it’s typically an early afternoon until midnight-type of shift.
It’s all hands on deck for produce crews to stock and keep up with demand. That is, again, if you’re willing to give the extra effort.
Which raises the question: Is this how some produce departments are managed? Of course.
A produce assistant must take charge and be proactive so they can be ready when a management spot opens.
Former Ford and Chrysler president Lee Iacocca once said, “When the product is right, you don’t have to be a great marketer.”
Grocery management should be bottom up — doing everything possible to support those at store level, who are key in executing plans, generating sales and gross profits and so much more.