PMG Industry Perspective
The price-friendly potato is nutritious and versatile in meals — but be sure to maximize your opportunities when advertising a sale, says columnist Armand Lobato.
It’s Potato Lover’s Month, and what’s not to love about the budget-friendly, nutritious potato? Tell customers how to handle this produce rock star’s sensitive side to ensure the spuds they’re buying don’t go to waste.
Signs are everywhere in the produce aisle, but what you express, how you present them, when you place them and why you choose the information conveyed can make a big difference, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Gross profit margin improvement is never easy or fast. Here are a few tips to set your plan up for success, from columnist Armand Lobato.
A roasting station for Hatch chili peppers can add some sizzle to your store’s offerings. Columnist Armand Lobato offers insight on doing it right.
The FDA has proposed changes to update the rules on healthy food labeling, which can affect fruits and vegetables sold in bulk, cut, otherwise value-added and in juice form.
“Lettuce” put more greens on that plate, says Hannaford Supermarkets retail dietitian Allison J. Stowell. This is what shoppers like in the salad category.
For the Center for Produce Safety: North Bay Produce Food Safety Manager Kinsey Clishe talks about efforts to validate cleaning and sanitizing procedures — and the importance of discussing the “why” behind practices.
Other produce part-timers made excuses to avoid this messy late-shift routine, but columnist Armand Lobato says he thrived on it.
That hodgepodge of fixtures collecting dust in storage can be a merchandising vault that can help reset a produce department, says columnist Armand Lobato.
A produce manager should encourage staff to do not only what’s expected, but exceed expectations, to benefit themselves, other shifts — and customers, says columnist Armand Lobato.
So often in produce, a merchandising challenge or an issue can be identified by tearing things down to the mat, metaphorically speaking, and starting over, says columnist Armand Lobato.
After a produce show ends, the work begins with developing your new contacts into strong business relationships — and there’s a surefire way to make a great early impression, columnist Armand Lobato explains.
Competition checks are an integral part of understanding your business and seeing how other stores are doing. Columnist Armand Lobato offers some observations to include in your checklist.
Pricing is important to shoppers, especially during inflation, but is it the overwhelming factor? Columnist Armand Lobato shares the top grocery store preferences that he’s heard from customers over the years.
ORLANDO, Fla. — The trade show was so huge and so elaborate, it was almost like a theme park at IFPA’s Global Produce and Floral Show. This is what one of our editors saw and learned.
In 2022, we came back together after a long break (too long).
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.
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.
While a brix measurement offers a detail about sweetness, going beyond the numbers can keep a customer coming back all summer long, says columnist Armand Lobato.
In-person events in the relationship-based produce business help keep conversations and creativity flowing among professionals who work throughout the industry, says columnist Armand Lobato.
If a grocer is built properly for convenience, with good customer service, a tired shopper is more likely to head to that store at the end of the day, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Having a seasoned produce supervisor handle operations for major store events is good — having additional experienced personnel on hand to deal with the swarm of demands is even better, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Adding these relatively simple showcases can compel customers to spend more time in the produce department — and raise the potential for purchases, says columnist Armand Lobato.
The inclusion of food systems in global climate plans opens a realm of opportunities and challenges, underscoring a need for a thoughtful and nuanced approach, says guest columnist Tamara Muruetagoiena of the IFPA.
It helps to grade well on quality assurance, because when things get out of control, it’s often a downward spiral that follows, says columnist Armand Lobato.
You’re qualified and check all the boxes for a coveted promotion, so why wouldn’t it be yours to take? Columnist Armand Lobato offers a deeper look at some perceived strengths that may not matter as much as you think.
Sorting through our tech advancements reminds me how far we’ve come: I remember my oldest brother holed up in his bedroom in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s, somehow “talking” to people worldwide through his computer.
International Fresh Produce Association has announced five winners of the IFPA Retail Merchant Innovation Awards Program.
Even after a great success, we have to keep vigilant to avoid a potential crash-and-burn. We must explore out-of-the-box solutions to today’s critical challenges.