PMG Industry Perspective
Just as going through the motions in courses may not accomplish much, the same can be said for the produce aisle.
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.
Years ago, I, along with another produce specialist, supervised a 66-store chain.
Get updates on New Jersey produce while eating it at the annual Eastern Produce Council barbecue networking event.
When I stop into just about any retail or service operation, chances are I’m going to encounter “the trainee.”
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?
By its very nature, snacking is a spur-of-the-moment decision, and retailers can get creative with that impulse, reminding shoppers fresh produce is a great option.
Laura Linney follows turn on “Ozark” with speaking to IFPA produce audience about gender inequality.
Décor, clothing and little touches around a produce department don’t necessarily change a lot, but they can lead to increased customer traffic, sales and gross profit, says columnist Armand Lobato.
It takes some additional work to incorporate the little bags into produce displays, but the results are evident, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Produce managers who know their store and customers well can be a great source for creative merchandising ideas — if they they’re allowed to be.
Retail produce departments are much different than those of yesteryear, but some key elements haven’t changed, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Christmas will be here soon — as will the rush of customer traffic, says columnist Armand Lobato. Are you ready for it?
Layoffs are a grim possibility heading into 2023, meaning now is the time for workers to stand out from the rest of the staff, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Yes, December has a lot packed into 31 days, but does December still have the impact it once had in retail grocery?
Despite what some might believe, these arrangements are still affordable — and welcomed — gifts that can make an impression, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Exploring a new produce position can be exciting, but be sure to get clarity about job details and responsibilities before accepting, says columnist Armand Lobato.
While the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market can trace its roots back hundreds of years, it has operated from its current location, which it says is the largest refrigerated building in the world, since 2011.
The new year brings a new opportunity to make produce departments attractive to health-conscious consumers, including those who have made a resolution to lose weight, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Columnist Armand Lobato shares book titles from his own shelf that offer inspiration and information — and not all of them are about fresh produce.
Why carry specialty produce when they typically are not top sales items? Because they can still drive sales, columnist Armand Lobato says.
Good planning and helping hands from the produce department — and other store areas — are needed to prepare floral products in a tight time window ahead of the holiday, says columnist Armand Lobato.
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.
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.
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.
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.
While higher education can help further a career, lessons from on-the-job produce experience can also aid in the pursuit of a degree, says columnist Armand Lobato.
If produce sales jump after resetting the layout of the department, it has to be a success, right? Columnist Armand Lobato shares his own experience from witnessing the ups and downs of one merchandising modification.
Any organization that deals with fresh produce works to meet both their external and internal customer needs — and that includes how its operations handle delivery delays, says columnist Armand Lobato.