Page 43 - Retail_Sustainability_Award_09-to-18

While walking through two LEED-certified stores in San Antonio, it becomes obvious that partner input is an integral part of
the sustainability movement.
it upfront to make a first impression, and it also has to have flexibility to adapt to seasonal and product changes and set the tone for the customers of that shop.”
Adds Hugh Topper, group vice president of fresh procurement and merchandising, “One of our mottos is, ‘We buy Texas first,’ so we work hard with large to mid-size to small growers to deliver. First and fore-
most is getting everyone aligned
with our strategy on what we want
to accomplish from a merchan-
dising perspective.
While walking through two LEED-certified stores in San
Antonio, it becomes obvious that
partner input is an integral part of the sustainability movement. One clever merchandising idea epitomizes a multi- faceted solution that marries people, profits and planet. As a starting point, many produce displays use Returnable Plastic Containers (RPCs), notable in itself, as H-E- B was a pioneer of RPCs — one of the early adopters on a chain-wide basis when there was a lot of industry resistance.
These streamlined RPC display racks are resourcefully designed for rear loading, which increases efficiency, uses less space and keeps aisles clear for shoppers, explains Bobby Wojcik, produce manager at the LEED-certified, but traditional H-E-B store at Alon Market.
The merchandising concept goes one step further in looking out for the well being of H-E-B’s partners. Ease of loading lightens the workload and the back pain. “We’re also converting to banana box pods, so we don’t have to bale cardboard or spend money on a display fixture,” says Anna Chandler, region merchant of produce and floral. “Pods are flexible and easy to set up. The display looks like a farmer’s market, puts focus on the product and our customers like it,” she says, noting that the team is working on trans- lating the concept to other produce items.
In addition, “We’re transitioning out of our
Four-year partner Dylan Petterson demonstrates a rear-loading display of RPCs at the Alon Market H-E-B store.
MAY 2011 • PRODUCE BUSINESS 43