Produce Retail
Instacart and Fairway Market have announced the launch of “Fairway Now,” a new fast home delivery service powered by Instacart.
How much is a good produce professional worth? Columnist Armand Lobato takes a look at how labor market conditions and employee intangibles factor into pay.
A California-based citrus brand is gearing up for a zestful celebration Dec. 20-23 at Tops Friendly Markets as part of its nationwide “Peelz on Wheelz” Citrus Road Tour.
Fresh produce had one of the strongest performances in 2023, said Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics during “The Power of Produce 2024” session at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference, March 8.
With merchandising and labor demands for March Madness, spring break, Easter and more on the horizon, produce managers should analyze the challenges like a chess grandmaster, says columnist Armand Lobato.
New Jersey is one of 35 states that will participate in the USDA’s new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program to provide more food availability to children and families in need during the summer months.
Aldi plans to add 800 U.S. stores by the end of 2028 through a combination of new openings and store conversions. The company says it will invest more than $9 billion over the next five years for its national expansion.
Kroger has reported $37.1 billion in fourth-quarter sales, while total company sales for 2023 were at $150 billion.
The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2024 survey shows nearly 7 in 10 consumers reported buying a larger variety of fresh produce than two decades ago. See which commodities have made the greatest gains in shoppers’ carts.
Whole Foods Market Daily Shop is a quick-shop format set to launch this year. With a footprint ranging from a quarter to half of an average Whole Foods Market store, it aims to offer convenience to urban neighborhoods.
Walmart says it will offer an Easter meal that can serve up to 10 people and is available for an average price of less than $8 per person.
Oakdale, Calif., Save Mart store manager Robert Alton was honored for his leadership at the company’s 30th Annual Management Awards Gala, which also recognized other store managers.
Kroger union members in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio have authorized a strike, meaning union bargaining committee can call a strike at any moment. Negotiations are ongoing.
Grocers are creating programs, reducing food waste and working with partners to be responsible stewards of the environment.
Consumers, retailers and many foodservice operators eagerly await the arrival of Florida green-skin avocados every year, grower-shippers say.
Some may think of citrus fruit as strictly a winter crop, yet summer varieties are increasingly appearing on consumers’ radar — and in their shopping carts.
In an era where health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking nutritious options, retailers are tapping into the trend by incorporating in-house juice bars and co-branded in-store destinations.
Want to make summer sales sizzle? Columnist and Joe Watson offers some advice from an industry expert on how to prepare for promotions.
April 2024 saw U.S. online grocery sales rise by 4.4%, reaching $8.5 billion, with pickup and delivery also growing. Walmart’s focus on first-party delivery services contributed to this growth, according to a new survey.
Produce departments need advocates to ensure there’s ample room to properly and safely receive, stage, break down and prep a load of product, and that ultimately helps a store’s life span, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Schnuck Markets has been selected as a 2024 U.S. Best Managed Company, marking the third consecutive year the St. Louis-based grocer has received the honor.
Publix says it has donated over 100 million pounds of produce to Feeding America food banks since 2020, aiding farmers and addressing food insecurity.
Apple purchases are up according to responses in The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2024 survey. Just over 78% of consumers reported purchasing apples in the last 12 months.
Looking for inspiration to elevate a store’s produce displays? Check out these examples chosen by merchandising expert Brian Dey of Four Seasons Produce, who breaks down what makes each display effective with shoppers.
The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2024 data shows of all consumers surveyed, 21.7% reported purchasing artichokes in the past 12 months, up from 8% in 2023.
“The latest CPI report demonstrates that the process of taming inflation continues, with food-at-home a particular bright spot in this month’s data,” says Andy Harig of FMI, the Food Industry Association.
Most produce departments’ busiest period will begin around Memorial Day, and every business is looking for help amid a labor shortage. And if you have the people, there’s more still to do, says columnist Armand Lobato.
A lively panel at the West Coast Produce Expo looked at the current state of produce retail, consumer trends and future challenges.
The all-items index rose 3.2% for the 12 months ending February, a greater rise than the 3.1% increase for the 12 months ending January, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
The Hass Avocado Board’s recent avocado holiday retail recap showed strong Independence Day and Labor Day sales, as customers purchased more than 2 million bagged avocados in the third quarter.