Produce Retail
Canada’s retail market is mature, consolidated and full of demand for produce, according to a USDA analysis of the country’s retail market.
From the moment shoppers enter the 87,500-square-foot Astor Place Wegmans — the Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer’s newest store — the fresh produce storytelling begins.
A new Columbia Business School study, “From People to Produce: How Appearance Bias Fuels Food Waste,” reveals how consumer preference for cosmetically perfect fruits and vegetables contributes to billions of pounds of food waste — meanwhile, companies like Misfits Market are working to change perceptions and reduce waste.
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.
When a store’s produce operations turn into disaster, “savior” managers are needed to right the ship — but their methods and personalities aren’t what some expect from a department leader, says columnist Armand Lobato.
Stores will collect nonperishable food items and accept donations at the register for local food bank partners until Dec. 31.
The second annual “A Little Holiday Happiness Is …” campaign is designed to provide relief for consumers this holiday season with the chance to win $1,000 in groceries from a choice of retailers.
Stop & Shop, a banner for Ahold Delhaize, was affected by the January product and labor shortages shortly after the winter holidays. Still, this Mount Kisco, N.Y., location used many effective merchandising strategies.
From Massachusetts to Georgia, Bowery’s vertically grown produce is now available through a newly expanded partnership with Amazon Fresh.
Stop & Shop, a banner for Ahold Delhaize, was affected by the January product and labor shortages shortly after the winter holidays. Still, this Mount Kisco, N.Y., location used many effective merchandising strategies.
Steve Statler, chief marketing officer and head of food safety with Wiliot, shares the benefits that artificial intelligence and machine learning can provide the produce industry, especially in traceability.
Aldi, Gelson’s and Hornbacher’s are the latest retailers to roll out Carrot Tags following a chainwide rollout at Schnucks earlier this year.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that consumers really focus on time and convenience, and they generally do not shop around at different stores. They will be looking to you to have the products they want and need.
Recent Shelby Report market data reveals the top retailers by market share in each region of the United States.
The new lettuce blend brings two best-sellers together for a mix of crispy and buttery textures, the company says.
The company says the flavor-packed kits are ideal for game day, fall entertaining or on-the-go holiday travel.
Over the next few weeks, a phased rollout will add digital tap-to-pay service to H-E-B stores.
Columnist Armand Lobato recalls how attending an industry gathering helped during a bleak time and reinforced why the camaraderie is beneficial to produce professionals.