Giant Food’s Rob Nickels on making your supermarket a destination for fresh

The featured guest on this “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast episode is Rob Nickels, who handles category management, procurement and merchandising of fresh produce and floral for Giant Food.

two heads and a lettuce cartoon
two heads and a lettuce cartoon
(Photo: Amy Sowder)

Learn how to make your supermarket a destination for fresh from Rob Nickels, who handles category management, procurement and merchandising of fresh produce and floral for Giant Food.

Part of Ahold Delhaize USA, Giant Food has stores in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area.

In this episode of “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast, Nickels covers several areas of focus to make your supermarket a destination for fresh seekers: variety, quality, value, local, consistency and floral. And he never forgets the taste, which is what it’s really all about.

    The produce department is quite a differentiator among stores, he said.

    “To me, it is the linchpin of the store, not just because I’m in produce and floral. But I believe, seen over my whole career, that people do make their shopping choice based on produce,” Nickels said.

    Another recent “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast episode: How ‘green teams’ help 3 California farms reduce waste by 2025

    Related:

    Upcoming Event

    Jan. 28–30, 2027  •  Miami Beach, FL

    East Coast Produce Expo 2027

    Three days of BizMatch+ meetings, trade show and networking at an iconic new location. Plan your trip:

    View the agenda ›

    Sessions, speakers and the first look at the Fresh Trends Consumer Report.

    Explore the venue ›

    Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Discounted $409 room rate through Jan. 5.

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