Improved Methods of Displaying and Handling Produce in Retail Food Stores

Excerpts from the report Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate conventional display procedures and to develop and test improved equipment, display methods, workplace arrangement, and work organization. Detailed studies were made in retail stores of 12 large food chains and voluntary food store organizations. Numerous other studies were made in various other stores throughout the United States. An analysis of all produce labor in four retail food stores indicated about one-third of this time was spent on display work in bulk produce stores and about one-fourth in prepack stores. Demonstrating in two supermarkets the improved methods of produce display outlined below resulted in 23 and 28 percent savings in labor. These savings amounted to 26 and 30 hours per 1,000 cases of produce handled. When the tray display method was used together with rolling bins for potatoes and onions, an additional 8 to 19 hours per 1,000 cases was saved. Additional benefits were noted in increased rotation of product and better maintenance of displays