Produce retailers face a challenging merchandising landscape

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: Supermarket News
Published: October 1, 2026
Source: Read at Supermarket News
Category: Food Access

Produce category volume sales were flat as retailers faced tighter margins, changing shopping habits, labor and knowledge gaps, and food safety concerns, according to Andrew Kerr of GoldenSun Insights Inc. Kerr said shoppers are visiting more produce departments but buying fewer items, while comparing prices across conventional grocery, mass merchandise, club, discount, specialty, and ecommerce channels. He said many retailers also lack produce merchandising expertise, and that shoppers remain hesitant to let employees select fresh produce for pickup and delivery orders. Kerr recommended employee education, sampling, supplier partnerships, and the use of purchasing data to improve promotions, merchandising, and inventory freshness.

Why this matters: Independent grocers may need to protect produce sales while managing labor, shrink, and waste pressures. The article points to staff training, supplier coordination, and purchasing data as practical ways to improve produce merchandising and respond to changing shopper behavior.

This post summarizes and links to the original source. It does not reproduce the full article.