Business sustainability requires new retail pricing model

In my previous column, I discussed the subject of natural sustainability in the industry. This time, I will be moving to another area of sustainability, and that is the overall sustainability of current produce retail pricing. The current retail pricing model is inherently unsustainable. The practice of raising retails arbitrarily to generate profits and inflate […]
Selling fresh produce online must evolve, be more like in-store experience

At the onset of the pandemic, grocery e-commerce jumped forward about five years on its natural growth trajectory. It was the full growth trifecta: more people, more trips and greater spending online. Fresh produce partook, but not to the same extent as center store grocery — a gap that still exists. Across all food and […]
Fashionably Fresh: 6 ways to improve fruit and vegetable displays and boost sales

Selling fresh produce is a lot like a fashion show. When customers walk into the department, retailers want them to focus on the fruits and vegetables for sale rather than the fixtures on which these fresh foods are displayed. Like fashion, too, if a model doesn’t present the apparel at its best, or a fixture […]
Is there a more valuable fresh produce player than the retail merchandiser?

What makes a good merchandiser at retail? There are several opinions that vary by experience and perception. Upper management says a good merchandiser is one who generates sales and profit projections, plus controls cost. In the produce world, the definition of a good merchandiser is considerably different, although it does contain parts of what upper […]
In this final week of 2023, cast a critical eye on your produce operation

As the end of the year approaches, it’s a good time to take stock of your operation and do a full review to identify strengths and weaknesses and ways to improve the overall operation. An innovative produce retailer is always looking for ways to improve the operation and will undertake this analysis to provide an […]
Picota Cherries: Tools and Tips To Maximise Retail Sales

As greater volume arrives from Spain this season, UK retailers are encouraged to market the stalkless variety as healthy, versatile, affordable, seasonal and unique. The European Picota cherry season is underway in the UK, with excellent quality fruit already arriving from the Valle del Jerte (Jerte Valley) in Spain. The UK remains the biggest importer […]