By being available for weekend and evening shifts from the start, new employees can enhance their reputation and the chance of getting their preferred schedule later on, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
A well-kept produce department often is a profitable one. Columnist Armand Lobato explains how to build a regimen that gets results... Read More
When a manager takes a week off, someone has to step up. Columnist Armand Lobato discusses compensation for taking on those key responsibilities... Read More
Establishing rules, levying accountability and treating everyone fairly are keys to a well-run operation, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
Columnist Armand Lobato discusses how hard work, a desire to learn and some good fortune can lead to opportunity... Read More
Plans are good, but not everything goes according to plan. Columnist Armand Lobato recalls when a 10-minute commute became an 8-hour trek... Read More
Columnist Armand Lobato reflects on how good managers make produce work look simple and his hope for the next generation... Read More
Working the occasional late night can show produce managers a lot about their operation and customers, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
Columnist Armand Lobato explores finding success by embracing the ever-changing nature of the industry... Read More
Bringing these elements into a produce department requires added effort, but customers will notice, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
When hockey teams have a sloppy shift change, bad things follow. The same is true in the produce aisle, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
Amid times of division, this Thanksgiving message is as relevant today as it was over 160 years ago... Read More
Though some think higher-ups "don't know what it's like" being a clerk, these veterans have plenty of knowledge to share with those aspiring to advance... Read More
Columnist Armand Lobato explains one produce manager's system of fixing troubled stores by committing to a monthlong push with no days off to get the ship righted... Read More
Spontaneous visits to walk through operation areas still work well for the produce aisle, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
While some chains use a combination of hand-stacking and gentle pouring, depending on available labor and time, columnist Armand Lobato examines the pros and cons of both methods to see how they truly stack up... Read More
Multi-component fixtures complement traditional produce space with smart merchandising style, but the same old principles still apply when it comes to keeping them ready for customers, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
While some view produce specialists' as "retail cops" looking for trouble during unannounced store visits, columnist Armand Lobato says their actual goal is to help produce managers and departments prosper... Read More
Columnist Armand Lobato recalls how attending an industry gathering helped during a bleak time and reinforced why the camaraderie is beneficial to produce professionals... Read More
Proper training and clear direction from management can help clerks avoid looking ahead while falling behind, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
NFL coaching legend Vince Lombardi said, “You don’t do things right once in a while. You do things right all the time." That also applies to ensuring freshness, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
Columnist Armand Lobato reflects on one exceptional trait that set Tom Cagle apart as a leader and mentor... Read More
Is your store skimping on its fresh produce program? Companies that commit to high-quality, prominent and well-executed produce departments are foremost in consumers’ perception, explains columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
Knowing your produce business is a core management tenet. How well you take notes now — keeping a work diary, if you will — can impact your future sales, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
Don't want to get burned by ordering too little or too much? Columnist Armand Lobato offers advice on maintaining a well-stocked produce department... Read More
