Educational sessions at the 2024 West Coast Produce Expo and the Sustainable Produce Summit provided a wealth of information from industry experts. Here's a chance to take a virtual seat at the presentations... Read More
PMG Industry Perspective News
The journey for a new produce manager typically begins at a lower-volume store with fewer resources. Columnist Armand Lobato offers some thoughts on handling the challenges — and the opportunity to aim higher... Read More
- Jun 13, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
With the time crunch of operating a produce department, it can be tempting to hurry that next order — but it will cost you even more time and money if you don’t take proper inventory first, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Jun 10, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
You're qualified and check all the boxes for a coveted promotion, so why wouldn't it be yours to take? Columnist Armand Lobato offers a deeper look at some perceived strengths that may not matter as much as you think... Read More
- May 31, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
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. .. Read More
- May 17, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
Summer merchandising is ripe with opportunity. Columnist Armand Lobato shares some must-have steps and display tips to make the produce department stand out to shoppers this season... Read More
- May 13, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Merchandising , Produce Retail
Signs are everywhere in the produce aisle, but what you express, how you present them, when you place them and why you choose the information conveyed can make a big difference, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- May 03, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
Gross profit margin improvement is never easy or fast. Here are a few tips to set your plan up for success, from columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Apr 29, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
Want to send a message to customers that your store is the place to shop for fresh produce? Columnist Armand Lobato offers some "neat" advice... Read More
- Apr 18, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
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... Read More
- Apr 12, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
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... Read More
- Apr 04, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
With all the work to do in a produce department, it can be tempting to skip breaks — but ensuring workers and managers keep to their scheduled stoppages is vital to any operation, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Mar 29, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
Any retail grocery chain is susceptible to regress and failure. The produce department figures prominently in customer satisfaction, store profits — and the future of a store or chain, explains columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Mar 25, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
Mishandling an inbound produce load can make the work done before its arrival all for naught — and it's a recipe for rapidly declining quality, unsatisfied customers and increased shrink, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Mar 18, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce - General , Produce Retail
When pursuit of a sought-after position doesn't go as expected, Plan B isn't necessarily a lesser option. Columnist Armand Lobato shares the lessons one produce pro learned in taking a step down in order to move up... Read More
- Mar 07, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective
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... Read More
- Mar 01, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail , Merchandising
It's Potato Lover’s Month, and what's not to love about the budget-friendly, nutritious potato? Tell customers how to handle this produce rock star's sensitive side to ensure the spuds they're buying don't go to waste... Read More
- Feb 22, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
It helps to grade well on quality assurance, because when things get out of control, it’s often a downward spiral that follows, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Feb 15, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
If you wait for solutions to all your problems will flow downhill from a distant home office, you may be in for a long wait. Some of the best ideas sprout from those already around you, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Feb 08, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective
Want to increase business? Start by taking exceptional care of the customers you already have. Otherwise, it'll be costly to mend that relationship — if it can be done at all. Columnist Armand Lobato explains more. .. Read More
- Feb 02, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
Competition checks are an integral part of understanding your business and seeing how other stores are doing. Columnist Armand Lobato offers some observations to include in your checklist... Read More
- Jan 26, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
An impressive produce lineup at the front entrance can elevate customer expectations for what they'll find further into the store, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Jan 19, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail , PMG Retail Merchandising , Merchandising
Are you eating five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day? Produce department staff can easily surpass that while on the job and be better prepared to educate customers about items, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Jan 12, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Produce Retail
Adding these relatively simple showcases can compel customers to spend more time in the produce department — and raise the potential for purchases, says columnist Armand Lobato... Read More
- Jan 04, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , PMG Retail Merchandising , Merchandising , Produce Retail
The inclusion of food systems in global climate plans opens a realm of opportunities and challenges, underscoring a need for a thoughtful and nuanced approach, says guest columnist Tamara Muruetagoiena of the IFPA... Read More
- Jan 03, 2024
- PMG Industry Perspective , Climate Policy , Sustainability