Insight, observation and inspiration from Brian Dey, Senior Merchandiser and Natural Foods Coordinator for Four Seasons Produce Inc
“Mangoes are Fun” Brian Dey
In digital age we currently find ourselves engulfed in and consuming from, the constant barrage of messaging can seem overwhelming, confusing and even a bit manipulative. We crave instant gratification from online shopping, even with our food and we desire the lowest price possible, latching onto the notion that we are “smart” shoppers. We feel more fulfilled with a diversity of shopping experiences, rather than being boxed into just one. As we enter deeper into the days where meal kits are delivered to our doors and our daily dose of fruit and vegetables are ingested by way of a morning juice, produce merchandising can seem like an archaic concept. But more and more research is showing that regardless of all the virtual and rapid reward delivery trends consumers continue to come back to and crave the real life, in-store experience of choosing their fruits and vegetables by hand. The old world style of showcasing your fruits and vegetables in big, bountiful, vibrant displays and passionately educating the chooser on the product, is still one of the most successful selling tools in produce. Attracting customers to your product at the store level takes skill, passion, and creativity and of course a clear understanding of the store demographic or simply put- knowing the customer.
