PMG Editor Amy Sowder introduces the latest issue of Produce Market Guide magazine, with a cover story providing tips to retain workers. Read the the digital version of the magazine, cover to cover.
When I stroll into my neighborhood grocery store with my toddler, my favorite clerk’s brown eyes light up.
She’s delighted to see him, and I’m gratified by her response. This woman has watched my child grow from an infant to a toddler who can now say “hi,” “hola,” “bye-bye ” and “adiós” to her. We share pet stories. I actually make excuses to visit the store. We need to retain employees like her, not just to maintain quality and sales, but for a personal customer experience.
Job satisfaction and mental health have been rising to the surface of my chats with others as we enter year three of the COVID-19 pandemic, with another wave of labor and product shortages, along with confusion and conflict about government guidelines and mandates.
That’s what makes our cover story, The Happy Factor on page 8, so pertinent to today. We need our staffs to stay with us, to avoid burnout and have their needs met so they can meet our business goals.
Providing sustainable wages and working conditions, as well as reducing our damage to the Earth’s resources, are some of the ongoing trends we see for 2022, especially with bananas, spotlighted on page 14. But for these efforts to bump up sales, the consumer needs to hear the story, which is best shared by produce brands, another trend prediction of the five you’ll find on page 18.
On page 40, delve into the details of how organic produce is becoming more mainstream, especially as packaging becomes more important and Generation Z and millennials grow their purchasing power.
And most marketers know that social media — even viral recipes such as the bell pepper sandwich, page 32 — is a powerful tool to drive sales with younger consumers.
As we juggle all the ways to troubleshoot today’s challenges, let’s remember that one of the best ways to create connection and build store loyalty is through a well-trained, consistent, happy staff.
