---
title: FRESH IS THE NAME OF THE GAME
description: This blog talks about the importance of fresh items, including produce and bakery items, in the grocery store.
image: https://blog.panoston.com/hubfs/FRESH%20PRODUCE%20GROCERY.jpg
---

[![panoston](https://blog.panoston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Panoston-jan2016_Theme/images/mylogo.png?width=221&name=mylogo.png "panoston")](http://www.panoston.com/)

![Pan-Oston | Phone Number | Contact Us](https://blog.panoston.com/hubfs/Panoston-jan2016_Theme/images/phone_btn_secnav.png)

- [HOME](http://www.panoston.com/)
- [OUR CAPABILITIES](http://www.panoston.com/custom-manufacturing-capablilites/)
- [GROCERY SUPERMARKETS](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/)
- [SELF CHECKOUT UTOPIA](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/)
- [CONVENIENCE STORE](http://www.panoston.com/convenience-store/)
- [CUSTOM RETAIL FIXTURES](http://www.panoston.com/retail-fixtures/)
- [CIGARETTE DISPLAYS](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/cigarette-displays/)

# Pan-Oston Blog

# FRESH IS THE NAME OF THE GAME

Posted by [Pan Oston](https://blog.panoston.com/author/pan-oston) on 5/16/17 8:55 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![FRESH PRODUCE GROCERY.jpg](https://blog.panoston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FRESH%20PRODUCE%20GROCERY.jpg?width=625&height=363&name=FRESH%20PRODUCE%20GROCERY.jpg)

With all of the discount grocery and cross-shopping going on today, grocery retailers need to find a way to differentiate themselves and compete on an even playing field, not just on price. Fresh is the name of the game, if played well. 

In 2016, produce accounted for $62.5 billion in sales and shows no signs of slowing down. The demand for fresh is growing quickly, in fact, at 2.5 times the rate of dry. But, as we all know, with loss and shrinkage, it is very difficult to make money on fresh. That being said, when there is more fresh in the basket, there is more dry too.

Experts say there are four very important things to consider carefully when it comes to success with fresh:

1. Getting the right assortment of products is vital. Getting the optimal pivot point is essential.
2. Choose your supply chain wisely. Getting high quality, fresh quickly is important and, unfortunately, most supply chains are built for cost optimization not speed.
3. Think carefully about the presentation of your products. Fresh should look just that, fresh, abundant, and well organized.
4. Hiring knowledgeable staff to talk about the products helps tremendously be it in the bakery, produce or meat department.

 [![Visit our Website](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1892033/c21cd69c-8932-4fef-af58-a69cc7d6aed4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1892033/c21cd69c-8932-4fef-af58-a69cc7d6aed4)

 

 Topics: [Grocery](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/grocery), [retailers](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/retailers), [produce](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/produce), [fresh](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/fresh)

### Subscribe to Email Updates

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Grocery (9)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/grocery)
- [Retail (9)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/retail)
- [Customer Experience (7)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/customer-experience)
- [Convenience (4)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/convenience)
- [Omnichannel Shopping (4)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/omnichannel-shopping)
- [Customer Service (3)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/customer-service)
- [Self-service (3)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/self-service)
- [Shopper Journey (3)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/shopper-journey)
- [Store Design (3)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/store-design)
- [retailers (3)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/retailers)
- [Buy Online Pick Up in Store (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/buy-online-pick-up-in-store)
- [Click-and-collect (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/click-and-collect)
- [In-store (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/in-store)
- [Omnichannel (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/omnichannel)
- [Pan-Oston (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/pan-oston)
- [Technology (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/technology)
- [consumer experience (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/consumer-experience)
- [shoppers (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/shoppers)
- [supermarket (2)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/supermarket)
- [2017 (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/2017)
- [Baggers (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/baggers)
- [Beverage (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/beverage)
- [Brick and mortar (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/brick-and-mortar)
- [Cigarette (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/cigarette)
- [Coffee (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/coffee)
- [Consumer (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/consumer)
- [ESOP (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/esop)
- [Employees (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/employees)
- [Fresh Food (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/fresh-food)
- [Fresh Food Vending (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/fresh-food-vending)
- [Gen Z (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/gen-z)
- [Generation Z (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/generation-z)
- [Green (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/green)
- [Grocery Delivery (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/grocery-delivery)
- [Houchens (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/houchens)
- [Kiosks (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/kiosks)
- [Millenial (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/millenial)
- [Paper bags (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/paper-bags)
- [Paper vs Plastic (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/paper-vs-plastic)
- [Plastic bags (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/plastic-bags)
- [Recycling (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/recycling)
- [Retal (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/retal)
- [Self-Checkout (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/self-checkout)
- [Shopper (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/shopper)
- [Shopping (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/shopping)
- [Snacks (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/snacks)
- [Store Updates (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/store-updates)
- [Sustainability (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/sustainability)
- [Tobacco (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/tobacco)
- [Unmanned convenience store (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/unmanned-convenience-store)
- [c-store (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/c-store)
- [convenience store (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/convenience-store)
- [customer (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/customer)
- [customers (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/customers)
- [employee benefits (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/employee-benefits)
- [event (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/event)
- [fresh (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/fresh)
- [health (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/health)
- [journey (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/journey)
- [loyalty (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/loyalty)
- [marketing (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/marketing)
- [media (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/media)
- [online store (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/online-store)
- [personalize (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/personalize)
- [planning (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/planning)
- [produce (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/produce)
- [sales (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/sales)
- [shopping journey (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/shopping-journey)
- [social media (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/social-media)
- [trends (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/trends)
- [wellness (1)](https://blog.panoston.com/topic/wellness)

see all

## [Supermarket Checkout Lanes](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/)

### [Reddy](http://www.panoston.com/grocery_supermarkets/reddy) [Vantage](http://www.panoston.com/grocery_supermarkets/vantage) [Ergolane](http://www.panoston.com/grocery_supermarkets/ergolane) [Made to Order](http://www.panoston.com/grocery_supermarkets/made-to-order)

## [Parts & Accessories](http://www.panoston.com/parts-and-accessories)

### [Checkstand Parts](http://www.panoston.com/parts-and-accessories/pa-check-parts) [Checkstand Accessories](http://www.panoston.com/parts-and-accessories/pa-checkstand-acc) [C-Series Parts & Accessories](http://www.panoston.com/parts-and-accessories/pa-c-series) [C-Flex Parts & Accessories](http://www.panoston.com/parts-and-accessories/pa-c-flex) [Food Service Accessories](http://www.panoston.com/parts-and-accessories/pa-food-service) [Shop Hear Upgrade Kits](http://www.panoston.com/parts-and-accessories/pa-shop-hear) [Service Hear Upgrade Kits](http://www.panoston.com/parts-and-accessories/pa-service-hear)

## [Self Checkout Utopia](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/)

### [Grocery Store](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/grocery-self-checkout/) [Convenience Store](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/convenience-store-self-checkout/) [Retail Store](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/retail-restaurant-self-checkout/) [Smart & Simple Technology](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/smart-and-simple-technology/) [Open Architecture](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/open-architecture/) [Delayed Mediation Technology™](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/delayed-mediation-technology/) [Microsoft Certified Partner](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/microsoft-certified-partner/) [Service & System Monitoring](http://www.panoston.com/self-checkout-utopia/service-and-system-monitoring/)

## [Merchandising Displays, Racks & Shelving](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/grocery_sub_merchdisplays)

### [Wine Racks](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/beer-wine-racks/) [Cigarette Merchandisers](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/display-racks-shelvs/cigarette-displays/) [Beer Display Racks](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/beer-wine-racks/) [Bakery Displays](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/display-racks-shelvs/bakery-displays/) [Produce Displays](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/display-racks-shelvs/produce-displays/) [Floral Displays](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/floral-displays/) [Garden Displays](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/floral-displays/)

## [Food Service](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/cup-towel-kitchen-dispensers/)

### [Cup, Towel & Kitchen Dispensers](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/cup-towel-kitchen-dispensers/) [Small Wares](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/small-wares/) [Cleaning Supplies & Storage Cabinets](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/cleaning-supplies-storage-cabinets/) [Kitchen & Work Tables](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/kitchen-work-tables/) [Back Office Products](http://www.panoston.com/grocery-supermarket/back-office-products/)

## [Maintenance & Installation](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/r2-installation/)

### [R2 Installation](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/r2-installation/) [On-Site Services](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/onsite-services/) [Preventative Maintenance](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/preventative-maintenance/) [Extended Service Agreements](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/extended-service-agreements/) [Product/Technical Training](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/product-technical-training/) [Software Monitoring & Suport](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/software-monitoring-and-support/) [Hardware Lifecycle Management](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/hardware-lifecycle-management/) [Refurbish Programs](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/refurbish-programs/) [Stocking & Package Consolidation](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/stocking-package-consolidation/) [Replacement Parts Kits](http://www.panoston.com/maintenance-and-installation/replacement-parts-kits/)

- [PAN-OSTON](http://www.panoston.com/about_us/)
- [NEWS](http://www.panoston.com/news/)
- [CAREERS](http://www.panoston.com/careers/)
- [CONTACT US](http://www.panoston.com/contact_us/)
- [CUSTOMERS](http://www.panoston.com/customers/)
- [CATALOGS & BROCHURES](http://www.panoston.com/catalogs_and_brochures/)
- [RESTAURANTS & FOODSERVICE](http://www.panoston.com/restaurant/)
- [TESTIMONIALS](http://www.panoston.com/testimonials/)
- [BUILD YOUR OWN](http://www.panoston.com/build_your_own/)
- [HOUCHENS INDUSTRIES](http://www.panoston.com/houchens/)
- [BLOG](http://pan-oston.blogspot.com/)
- [SITEMAP](http://www.panoston.com/sitemap/)