Operations

Higher-end grocery chains are known for having fresh, colorful, and abundant fruits and vegetables. But have you ever wondered how how do grocery stores keep vegetables fresh?

Grocery stores employ various methods to keep vegetables fresh. Common techniques include refrigeration, which slows down the process of decay by lowering the temperature and inhibiting microbial growth. Additionally, controlled atmospheres are utilized to regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, extending shelf life. Some stores also employ hydrocooling, a method where vegetables are rapidly cooled with water to preserve freshness. Regular monitoring of temperature and humidity levels ensures optimal conditions for vegetable storage. Moreover, proper handling practices, such as avoiding bruising and excessive moisture, play a crucial role in maintaining freshness.

From temperature control to packaging and humidity control, grocery stores have a variety of tools at their disposal to extend the shelf life of produce. It’s not just about sourcing the best quality products; grocery stores have a range of techniques and strategies they use to ensure that fruits and vegetables stay fresh for longer periods. Let’s take a closer look at some of the methods and practices grocery stores use to keep their vegetables fresh and appealing.

• Grocery stores employ a range of techniques to keep produce and vegetables fresh.
• Temperature control and proper storage are essential to preserving the freshness of vegetables.
• Packaging, humidity control, and ethylene gas management are also important tools for grocery stores to maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables.
• It’s crucial for individuals to store their produce properly at home to ensure optimal freshness and nutrition.
• The source of the produce, whether from a local supermarket or farmer’s market, can also impact its freshness and quality.

The Role of Temperature and Storage

Temperature control is crucial for maintaining the freshness and quality of vegetables in grocery stores. Depending on the type of vegetable, different storage methods may be utilized to extend their shelf life. Vegetables that are sensitive to cold temperatures, such as tomatoes and avocados, are typically stored at room temperature in a cool place, away from direct sunlight. On the other hand, leafy greens and root vegetables are stored in cold storage to maintain their freshness.

Grocery stores use a variety of storage methods to keep produce fresh and appealing. Some vegetables are kept in a crisper drawer with high humidity levels, while others are wrapped in plastic to prevent moisture loss. Colder temperatures can also be used to slow down the ripening process of certain fruits and vegetables.

Did you know? Certain fruits, such as bananas and apples, produce ethylene gas as they ripen, which can cause nearby vegetables to spoil faster. This is why grocery stores separate these ethylene-producing fruits from other produce.

The Role of Temperature and Storage

Tip: To extend the shelf life of your fresh produce at home, store them in the coldest part of your refrigerator, in their original packaging or sealed in a plastic bag. For leafy greens, wrap them in a damp paper towel to prevent wilting, and for moisture-sensitive produce, use a dry paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.

Proper packaging can significantly impact the lifespan of fresh produce. Grocery stores utilize a variety of techniques to ensure that their vegetables stay fresh and appealing for their customers. One common method is the use of plastic bags, which helps to maintain the right level of humidity for many types of produce. For example, leafy greens should be stored in a plastic bag or container to prevent wilting and loss of crispness.

Grocery stores also make use of crisper drawers in refrigerators, designed to control the humidity around vegetables. Vegetables that require higher humidity levels, such as broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, should be stored in the high humidity drawer. Meanwhile, items that require drier conditions, such as mushrooms or peppers, should be stored in the low humidity drawer.

Plastic wrap can also be an effective way to keep produce fresh. Wrapping vegetables, particularly those with exposed flesh, can help to prevent moisture loss and protect against bacterial growth. Additionally, high humidity conditions can be effective for certain types of vegetables, such as potatoes, which should be stored in a cool, humid place.

In summary, grocery stores use a variety of packaging techniques to keep vegetables fresh, including the use of plastic bags, crisper drawers, and plastic wrap. By understanding the best practices for humidity control and packaging, you can extend the lifespan of your produce and enjoy fresh, nutritious meals for longer.

Ethylene Gas Management

Did you know that certain fruits and vegetables produce a natural plant hormone called ethylene gas? This gas can accelerate the ripening and spoilage of other produce, leading to quicker decay and reduced shelf life. Ethylene-producing fruits like bananas and apples should be stored separately from ethylene-sensitive produce such as broccoli and leafy greens to avoid premature spoilage.

Grocery stores are well aware of the impact of ethylene gas and take several measures to manage it. One common method is to use ethylene absorbers or filters in refrigeration units to lower the level of the gas in the environment. Some stores also employ separate storage areas for fruits and vegetables to minimize the spread of ethylene gas and prolong the freshness of their produce.

Certain fruits, known as climacteric fruits, are particularly high in ethylene gas and require extra care during storage. These include fruits like avocados and tomatoes that continue to ripen after they’ve been picked. To avoid over-ripening and spoilage, stores often sell these fruits when they’re not yet fully ripe, giving customers the opportunity to ripen them at home.

Properly managing ethylene gas is crucial for maintaining the freshness and quality of fruits and vegetables in grocery stores.

Next time you’re at the store, take a look around and you’ll likely see signs of ethylene gas management in action. From separate storage areas to green bins with ethylene absorbers, grocery stores are working hard to keep fruits and vegetables fresh and appealing for as long as possible. By taking these steps, they not only reduce food waste but also provide customers with the best possible product.

Storage Tips for Home

Proper storage is essential to maintaining the freshness of your produce. Here are some tips to help you store your fresh produce at home:

It’s important to keep in mind that different veggies require different storage conditions. For moisture-sensitive veggies like celery and mushrooms, it’s best to wrap them in a dry paper towel to prevent them from getting too damp and spoiling. On the other hand, for leafy greens like lettuce and spinach, it’s better to wrap them in a damp paper towel to keep them moist.

In general, it’s a good idea to keep your produce in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing fruits and vegetables together, as fruits produce ethylene gas that can cause neighboring vegetables to spoil more quickly. By following these storage tips, you can help ensure that your fresh produce stays fresh and delicious for longer.

The Impact of Local Supermarkets and Farmer’s Markets

When it comes to purchasing fresh produce, consumers have a variety of options, including local supermarkets and farmer’s markets. While both options offer access to a range of vegetables, there are some key differences between the two.

One advantage of shopping at a local supermarket is the convenience. Supermarkets are often located in easily accessible areas, making it easy for consumers to quickly stock up on groceries. Additionally, many supermarkets carry a wide range of produce, including exotic items that may not be available at farmer’s markets.

On the other hand, farmer’s markets offer the opportunity to purchase locally grown produce directly from the farmers who grew it. This can be particularly appealing for consumers interested in supporting local agriculture and reducing their carbon footprint by purchasing food that hasn’t traveled long distances to reach them.

Another advantage of farmer’s markets is the opportunity to purchase freshly harvested produce at its peak ripeness. Since the produce is typically harvested within days of being sold, it is often more flavorful and nutrient-dense than vegetables that have been transported long distances and stored for several days in a supermarket.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to shopping at farmer’s markets. For example, the produce selection may be limited to seasonal fruits and vegetables, and the hours of operation may be limited, making it difficult for consumers with busy schedules to shop there regularly.

In summary, both local supermarkets and farmer’s markets offer advantages and disadvantages when it comes to purchasing fresh produce. Ultimately, whether a consumer chooses to shop at a local supermarket or farmer’s market will depend on their individual preferences and priorities.

In conclusion, proper storage and handling of vegetables are crucial to maintaining their freshness and nutritional value. Grocery stores employ various techniques, such as temperature control, packaging, and ethylene gas management, to ensure that their produce stays fresh for as long as possible.

By implementing these practices in our own homes, we can extend the shelf life of our fresh produce and minimize food waste. Tips such as storing leafy greens in damp paper towels and avoiding moisture-sensitive produce can help us keep our vegetables fresh and delicious.

The Importance of Supporting Local Supermarkets and Farmer’s Markets

Furthermore, while grocery stores offer a convenient and accessible option for purchasing produce, local supermarkets and farmer’s markets can provide an even fresher and more sustainable alternative. By supporting local farmers and businesses, we can reduce transportation time and source our produce closer to home. This helps to ensure that the vegetables we consume are not only fresh but also support our local economy and environment.

Overall, it is essential to prioritize proper storage and handling of vegetables to enjoy their benefits fully. By following these simple tips and supporting local options, we can reduce food waste and enjoy a healthy and delicious diet.

FAQ

Q: What is the role of temperature and storage in preserving vegetable freshness?

A: Temperature control plays a crucial role in keeping vegetables fresh. Grocery stores use different storage methods such as refrigeration for items that require colder temperatures, while certain produce is stored at the appropriate room temperature. Maintaining optimal storage conditions extends the shelf life of vegetables.

Q: How do grocery stores manage packaging and humidity to keep vegetables fresh?

A: Grocery stores employ packaging techniques like plastic bags, crisper drawers, and plastic wrap to control humidity levels around vegetables. These methods help maintain the right moisture balance, ensuring the freshness of the produce. High humidity conditions are also important for specific types of vegetables.

Q: How do grocery stores manage ethylene gas to prevent fruit ripening and spoilage?

A: Ethylene gas management is essential to prevent premature ripening and spoilage. Grocery stores separate ethylene-producing fruits from ethylene-sensitive produce to control exposure. This separation helps keep vegetables fresh for longer periods.

Q: What are some storage tips for keeping produce fresh at home?

A: To keep produce fresh at home, consider storing leafy greens in damp paper towels to maintain moisture. For moisture-sensitive produce, use dry paper towels to prevent wilting. Additionally, proper storage in a cool and dry place, away from other ripening fruits, can help extend the freshness of vegetables.

Q: What is the impact of purchasing produce from local supermarkets and farmer’s markets?

A: Purchasing produce from local supermarkets and farmer’s markets can offer advantages in terms of freshness and quality. Local markets often offer locally sourced vegetables, reducing transportation time and supporting local farmers. However, it’s important to consider proximity and freshness factors when choosing where to buy produce.

Q: What is the importance of proper storage and handling for vegetable freshness?

A: Proper storage and handling play a significant role in maintaining the freshness of vegetables. Implementing appropriate storage techniques at home and being aware of the methods used by grocery stores can help reduce food waste and ensure you enjoy fresh and nutritious produce.

Bulk food bins are a great way to save money and cut down on packaging. But since anyone can put their hands in some of those bins, are bulk food bins safe and sanitary?

Bulk food bins are safe and sanitary as grocery stores usually only offer gravity bins that don’t allow customers access to touch the food. The bins themselves are washed and cleaned regularly on a set rotating schedule. And any potentially compromised food will be discarded.

But there’s a lot more to know.

In this article, we’ll explore how bulk bins work and how grocery stores keep them clean. We will also look at what changed with bulk bins as a result of 2020 and whether Whole Foods still has bulk bins.

Let’s get to it.

How do bulk bins work?

Bulk bins are often available as scoop bins where customers can open a lid and scoop out the quantity of the food they desire. There is also a type called a gravity bin which is a tall bin with a mouth at the bottom that slides open to let the food pour out into a container.

They’re great because they allow customers to buy the exact quantity they want, usually at a cheaper price per ounce.

You can use the store’s containers or bring your own. You pay for the product and do not have to pay the hidden costs of packaging.

Before a customer starts shopping, the tare weight of their container is noted.

Tare weight is already factored in on the store’s containers. But if you bring your own, especially heavier glass containers, ask an employee to set the tare weight for you. That way, you only pay for the food and not your container.

The tare weight is the weight of the container when it’s empty. 

The savings of buying in bulk can be very substantial. In some cases, it can be as high as 50%! And, it can be marginal on some products.

But there are cases where the bulk price (per ounce or pound) is actually higher than the same thing in a package.

So it’s worth checking on the things you buy regularly.

But even if the price is higher, if it’s something you only need a small amount of, it’s still worth buying from the bulk bins.

The customer proceeds to fill their container with the exact quantity they want. In the past, before the pandemic, it was possible to scoop a lot of these consumables from plexiglass bins that were partially opened at the top.

But now, they are dispensed almost exclusively from gravity bins.

This is because, with the old scoop bins, there was nothing preventing customers (or little kids) from sticking their bare hands directly into a bin to touch the food.

Trust me, I’ve seen that many times. 

And while a store would usually dump and discard the entire bin if they witnessed that, how many times did it happen when no employee was looking?

Online grocery shopping is another option that many people like because of its convenience.

But by how much has it increased in 2020?

In a recent article, I looked at the percentage of groceries that are bought online and whether grocery pickup or delivery is more popular. But I also considered whether fewer people are shopping at grocery stores now.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Pick these simple snacks up from the bulk bins at your grocery store: http://t.co/bRXXqBzpLQ pic.twitter.com/illtZub21P

— The Kitchn (@thekitchn) May 26, 2015

How do grocery stores keep bulk bins clean?

Grocery stores keep their bulk bins clean by having a cleaning schedule for all the bins. The employee would empty the remaining product into an auxiliary bin and then proceed to wash, sanitize, and dry the bin completely. Once dry, the product would be put back in, and the bin placed back in service.

Bins with simple things like rice may get cleaned every 2 weeks, whereas things that are sticky or messy such as dried fruit or candy, may get cleaned every few days.

Small bins and containers can often be put through a standard kitchen dishwasher.

But larger gravity bins have to be washed by hand in a large sink. In both cases, though, this keeps the bins clean and helps ensure that no pests (weevils and grain moths) stay out of the bins.

But as you’ve probably experienced at home at least once, nothing prevents those things 100% of the time, especially with organically grown items that never had pesticides on them.

Best part of Whole Foods is the bulk bins and @ITnerdybird didn’t want anything here! pic.twitter.com/xUg9Vvl6q0

— KBrew (@kbrewFL) July 28, 2017

Does Whole Foods still have bulk bins?

Whole Foods Market stores do still have bulk bins. However, scoop bins, which allowed customers to have direct access to the food, were eliminated with the exception of foods that were individually wrapped and then placed in the bin.

So now, you will only typically find gravity bins at Whole Foods Market.

At the height of the pandemic, the self-service option was stopped at all Whole Foods stores, as was done at other grocery stores.

In fact, throughout 2020, virtually all stores eliminated any self-serve food options.

It was the smart thing to do because of the risk of having many people use the same scoops and ladles and access to produce that’s partly open!

And in all the Whole Foods stores I’ve been to lately, all self-serve options seem to be back, from salad bars to the bulk department.

Both Whole Foods and Sprouts have bulk departments. But which is better?

I offered a guide in a recent article of mine. I compared the quality of Sprouts to Whole Foods and whether WF is now cheaper since Amazon took over. But I also revealed whether Sprouts is also owned by Amazon.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

#ZeroWasteTip: Shop at local Zero Waste stores where you can bring your own containers and buy in bulk. These stores offer bins of products that usually come in packaging that may not be recyclable. pic.twitter.com/gNv4FWMjFK

— HSR Zero Waste (@HSRZeroWaste) June 17, 2019

Can you bring your own bulk food containers to Whole Foods?

Customers can bring their own bulk food containers to buy in bulk at Whole Foods Market. But it’s ideal to get the tare weight noted at the customer service desk before filling containers. This eliminates being charged for the weight of the empty container.

Customers reusing their own containers makes sense.

After all, saving on packaging and waste is one of the big reasons people shop in the bulk department in the first place. And you can use mason jars instead of plastic which many also prefer. So bring in any containers you have; bags, jars, boxes, etc.

Whole Foods has a reputation for being expensive.

I bet you’ve wondered why? Check out a recent article where I shared some inside scoop seeing as I was a general manager there for twenty years.

In the article, I explored how much Whole Foods cost and whether it’s more expensive than Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, or Walmart. But I also revealed whether it’s cheaper now with Amazon Prime.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Amazing colour coded ingredient storage bins – complete with clear plastic flap lid.
Perfect for catering, commercial kitchens and bakeries.
Quick and easy access to bulk ingredients – Food grade polyethylene plastic construction!@GForceEurope #Friday #ingredients pic.twitter.com/KrdhMt1GIE

— G-Force Europe (@GForceEurope) March 16, 2018

Did grocery stores get rid of bulk bins with lids?

Most grocery stores got rid of bulk bins with lids in 2020, when increased sanitation became a priority. Scoop bins posed a health challenge because of the ease of direct access to the food. Stores already had gravity bins, but they became the exclusive bulk bin in 2020 for almost all stores. 

Gravity bins eliminate the risk of contamination.

In the past, bulk bins with lids were regular sights at the self-service section of the bulk department of grocery stores. They just made more sense for things that would get stuck in gravity bins, such as dried fruits.

But I couldn’t tell you how many times I saw little kids stick their hands in those bins to grab candy. But even full-grown adults would help themselves to a sample or 3 and use their bare hands in the bin.

But things changed in 2020.

And like most things we had to get used to, we aren’t likely going to go back to how things were prior to March 2020.

If you’d like to get in and out of a grocery store in the shortest amount of time possible, it helps to know the different sections and how they’re laid out.

In a recent article of mine, I explained both.

I looked at the most common areas of a grocery store and the most common grocery terms. But I also revealed whether they are designed to make you walk a certain way.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

In the article, we explored how bulk bins work and how grocery stores keep them clean. But we also checked out whether Whole Foods still has bulk bins.

Then, we considered if you can still bring your bulk food containers to Whole Foods. Lastly, we wrapped things up by finding out if grocery stores got rid of bulk bins with lids.

Image by Melissa Wilt from Pixabay

No doubt you’ve been in the grocery store and gone to grab that head of broccoli when suddenly you got misted with water. Or you picked it up, and it was soaking wet. So, why is produce sprayed with water in the grocery store?

Produce is sprayed with water to keep it hydrated and fresh. Without this “misting”, many types of vegetables would wilt and lose their crispness. But for items sold by the pound, the water does add a little residual weight which increases the store’s profits.

While in the soil, fruits and vegetables are hydrated naturally through osmosis since water is vital for some biological processes such as the transport and absorption of nutrients.

Once they have been harvested, they will lose their freshness, attractiveness, and crispness if they are not regularly sprayed with water.

But, some folks have also suggested that grocery stores do not only want to keep produce alluring, that “misting” them is a way to make as much money from them as possible. In truth, it’s a bit of both.

Let’s get into it!

What is sprayed on produce in grocery stores?

Water is sprayed on produce in grocery stores to keep them fresh and attractive. While the misting system could theoretically be used with chemicals, all grocery stores traditionally just use water.

As we’ve discussed, certain types of produce naturally start to wilt the moment they get picked.

After all, they no the fruits and veggies no longer have a way of absorbing water naturally as they did when their roots were in the soil.

What are the most commonly misted produce items?

• Broccoli
• Fresh herbs such as cilantro & parsley
• Beets
• Cauliflower
• Loose carrots
• All types of lettuce

In some stores, this “misting” system is automated such that at preset intervals, a little volume of water is sprinkled on the fruits and vegetables.

In others, it’s done manually. Someone goes around regularly and sprays water on produce.

Now, not all produce is misted. Why? Some would spoil. You can’t spray onions and potatoes, for example. This is because they have skins that help retain water. 

But, a veggie like lettuce would wilt if it’s not “misted.”

Whole Foods is the pioneer in the organic food movement, and folks would often joke that one needs a whole check to shop there. (At least pre-Amazon acquisition). Why is it expensive?

Seeing as I worked there as a leader for more than 20 years, it’s a question I could speak to. And, you can get the lowdown in a recent article of mine.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Customers shop the produce section of Sprouts during its grand opening on Carnelian in Rancho Cucamonga. pic.twitter.com/GAE0FqxcYq

— Jennifer Maher 📸 (@JCMaherPhoto) May 3, 2017

Does spraying water on produce make them look crisp?

Spraying water on produce does make it look crisp. It makes it look fresh, tender and keeps any leaves from looking wilted and unappetizing. 

When produce is sprayed with water, the concentration of water outside the produce is greater than the water inside the vegetables. 

Gradually water would diffuse inside the cells through osmosis, making the produce fuller and less wilted. 

If they are not sprayed with water, they will shrink in size. And while misting to increase the store’s profit isn’t the #1 goal, it does impact the store’s bottom line in 2 distinct ways:

• Wilted produce is less likely to sell, and more will get thrown away (or donated)
• Produce that shrink in size also shrink in weight. So for items sold by the pound, this equals less money for the store.

Given a choice of picking produce that’s green and fresh (brimming with life) and one that’s dry and wilted, you’ll likely pick the former. 

Me, too.

‘Lettuce’ provide fresh produce for your food truck, restaurant or grocery! #HTFarmersCoop #organic #farmtofork pic.twitter.com/z3FyKiriJn

— Hungry Turtle (@HTFarmersCoop) July 23, 2014

How do grocery stores keep lettuce from wilting?

Loose heads of lettuce are kept in wax boxes, allowing them to be kept moist without disintegrating the box. Those boxes are kept in refrigerated coolers, and then the individual heads of lettuce are stocked in refrigerated cases and occasionally sprayed with water. 

At warm temperatures, lettuce will wilt and expire quickly. 

All produce is best when picked ripe and then eaten within a few days. But modern grocery stores have changed that. Many times produce is picked across the country or even in other countries.

Then it gets packed in big trucks and shipped sometimes hundreds of miles.

If they are not placed in cold storage and kept wet, veggies such as lettuce would deteriorate days after they’ve been harvested.  The low temperature in the cold storage units helps slow down the growth of pathogens and consequently reduces spoilage.  

The USDA has guidelines grocery stores are expected to follow.

 “Lettuce should be quickly cooled and maintained as close to 0 °C (32 °F) as possible with 98 to 100% RH. Head types are better adapted to prolong storage than are the other types, but none keep longer than 4 weeks, and about half that time at 5 °C (41 °F). Film liners or individual polyethylene head wraps are desirable for attaining high RH; however, they should be perforated or be permeable to maintain a non-injurious atmosphere and to avoid 100% RH on removal from storage.”

How is it that Aldi can sell quality produce at affordable rates? 

That’s the theme of a recent article of mine. Some people have speculated that it’s because all their stuff comes from China. But is that really true??

Just click the link to read it on my site.

This #WholeFoods produce section is soooo dreamy ❤❤ Reminder that we’re available at every Whole Foods nationwide! pic.twitter.com/q7vTM5Yskz

— Simply Gum (@SimplyGum) February 20, 2018

Do supermarkets wash fruit?

As a general rule, fruit may be washed by the grower before packing, but supermarkets do not typically perform additional washing at the store level. That is why washing all fruits and vegetables at home is typically recommended.

When they are harvested, most fruits have residues of contaminants such as dirt and pesticides on them. Because a considerable chunk of the fruits we buy are imported, they are washed before they are sent here. 

After all, packing produce that’s dirty makes it riskier.

But not all fruits are washed. An article in Reader’s Digest has the following to say:

“Some literally come straight from the field to the grocery store floor. For example, there isn’t any sort of cleaning, sanitation, or processing of most berries before they hit a grocery case.”

So, you don’t want to take the risk of assuming that all the fruits you are buying have been pre-cleaned. But, even if they have been, the FDA says to wash fruits with water before they are consumed.

“Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before preparing and/or eating, including produce grown at home or bought from a grocery store or farmers’ market. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash is not recommended.”

A lot of people swear by Sprouts. But are all their produce organic?

Check out a recent article of mine where I take an in-depth look at Sprouts and their products. What really surprised me was the amount of artificial ingredients they allow in their products.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

If you are going out to get necessities, be sure to stock on fresh produce, too. Nourish your household with healthy, nutritious and whole foods! Reduce the consumption of sugar, oil and processed items for better wellbeing. pic.twitter.com/uYSuDws6x3

— KK12FM 89.5 (@kk12fm) March 22, 2020

How do grocery stores keep fruit fresh?

Grocery stores keep fruit fresh by storing them in refrigerated coolers in the back room both upon arrival and at night after the store is closed. However, some fruits and vegetables do not thrive when refrigerated, therefore they are left on the sales floor.

To appreciate why refrigeration is critical to keeping fruits fresh, we should remember that most fruits are seasonal. And fruits start decaying quickly after they’ve been harvested and yet we get them to buy fresh throughout the year. 

This is only possible because of refrigeration technology.  

Before they are refrigerated, some fruits are “treated.” Some apples are waxed to delay the slow down the natural process of deterioration and to make them look more alluring. 

At times, some inorganic apples are coated with a soy protein mixed with pullulan (a polysaccharide polymer).

To many, this gives the appearance of wax.

Although, to be sure, not all apples are coated in pullulan. Sometimes it’s beeswax, Carnauba wax or even wood resin. To ensure that all their customers can get these fruits and veggies to buy, the stores buy them in large quantities, preserve them, and gradually make them available from big coolers in the back room.

You’re probably wondering how the process of storing them affects the nutrients and whether it is harmful. 

Experts say the effect of the nutrients is negligible and that refrigeration is not harmful.

And they say the taste is also only minimally affected. Most of us can’t differentiate if we had to choose between a freshly harvested fruit and one that’s been refrigerated.

If you’d like a deep dive on how grocery stores keep fruits fresh be sure to check out a recent article of mine where I went into greater detail.

Just click the link to read it on my site. 

Conclusion

You’ve probably seen those sprinkler nozzles at your local store, right? 

What are they being used for and why? In this article, we learned why grocery stores spray water on produce.  We found out whether spraying water on produce makes them crisp. Yes, it does.

Of course, only when done in moderation. It can be too much. 

We checked out how grocery stores keep lettuce from wilting and whether supermarkets wash fruit. We called it a day by exploring how grocery stores keep fruit fresh.

It’s a bit frustrating when you can’t get your favorite products from the store, right? I know the feeling… To make the best of each trip to the store, you’ve probably wondered what day of the week do grocery stores restock?

Large grocery chains restock daily because of the huge volume of business. Restocking is usually done overnight or early morning in order not to disrupt operations. However, many smaller grocery stores that don’t have the sales volume to restock daily may restock on Tuesdays and Fridays.

But unfortunately, there really isn’t a standard most stores follow.

Howver, if you’re going to the big stores, early in the morning is probably the best time to be there, seeing as they would have restocked the night before or that morning.

With the smaller stores, it’s wise to know the day(s) they restock to be there soon after.

In this article, we’ll explore: what stores restock daily, whether Walmart’s shelves are full first thing in the morning, when does Whole Foods restock, and a lot of related questions.

Let’s dive right in…

Do busy grocery stores restock daily?

Large grocery stores restock daily because of their high volume of sales. It is always more efficient to go right from the truck to the shelf rather than store excess in the back room. So when possible, stores look to get as many deliveries per week as their distributors allow.

But note that because each grocery chain is different.

So, there are differences in each one’s restocking schedule. But overnight stocking is by far the most efficient way to stock.

Overnight at most grocery stores means no customers. So stockers just focus on stocking; no customer service. Plus, pallets can be wheeled directly where they are needed with no fear of blocking shopping carts.

And the employees can pound energy drinks and listen to loud music to keep them motivated; things that would be frowned upon during the day.

Costco and Walmart are examples of busy grocery stores that restock daily. So, if you couldn’t find a much-needed product, it would most probably be available the day after. 

But I understand if you’re not keen on the whole “shopping is fun” notion and only like visiting the grocery store once in a blue moon.

Then, you would probably be better served by buying online.

And, you’d enjoy a recent article of mine where I shared info about how online grocery shopping increased last year.

I covered themes such as what percentage of groceries are bought online, which one’s more popular: pick up or delivery, whether fewer people are shopping at grocery stores now…

Just click the link to read it on my site.

The great and humble people working in my local grocery store to restock shelves and get people supplies are heroes right now. Calm and as normal as possible this morning. I couldn’t sleep thinking of what we needed for a shelter in place order. So grateful. pic.twitter.com/5I4wjMRWd8

— Sassahoochie Coates (@Quarantasia) March 18, 2020

Are Walmart’s shelves full first thing in the morning?

Walmart’s shelves are typically full first thing in the morning because most locations restock overnight. Just bear in mind though that distributors of products usually have at least 5% of their items out of stock, so the shelves will never be 100% full.

But when a particular item would be available varies from product to product. And from store to store. On average, restocking is done every 2 days in smaller, lower-volume stores and every day in busy stores.

This shouldn’t be surprising because of the volume of business Walmart does. Consider that it has a market share of 26% of grocery sales and, in some environments, 90%.

Seeing as most of the restocks are done overnight, it makes sense to expect that items that were out of stock would have been replaced if you are there early in the morning.

You can also get notified by email when certain items are available. But, you must have registered for the service beforehand. The other day, you overheard two people talking about supermarkets and superstores, but you were in a hurry.

Now, you’re wondering if Walmart is a supermarket or a superstore. Not to worry, I’ve got you covered.

In a recent article of mine, I went into some details about their differences. What really surprised me was that 1 small thing makes all the difference between the 2 terms.

Just click the link to read the article on my site.

Whole Foods on 2nd and PCH is also very picked over. An employee said they are out of water, sanitizer and toilet paper and cannot restock until Monday. They will maintain normal business hours. pic.twitter.com/n9REX2eais

— kat schuster (@Coastalkatalyst) March 15, 2020

Do most Whole Foods stores restock in the morning?

Most Whole Foods stores restock in the early morning, around 4 or 5 am. However, the busiest stores in the company restock overnight, starting at approximately 10 pm. In either case, the goal is to be 99% done by the time the store opens.

This may vary slightly from location to location.

In general, though, the busier the store, the higher its volume of transactions, the more likely it would restock daily and overnight. Smaller stores restock about 3-4 times per week to ensure they meet demand.

And for those smaller, lower-volume stores, Tuesdays and Fridays are common days chosen to first replenish from the weekend, and then to stock up for the next weekend.

I want to introduce you to some of our nations finest.They aren’t working from home because WE depend on them.They restock the groceries and supplies we need, they check us in and out, and more importantly they greet us everday with a smile.Thank you to all grocery store workers. pic.twitter.com/XbHaDJpgB3

— Nabil Brent Remadna KXAN (@RemadnaKXAN) April 10, 2020

Are grocery stores often out of stock on Mondays?

The best-run grocery stores are not out of stock on Mondays. They are restocked every day, and replenished throughout the day. Mondays are no exception. However, poorly run grocery stores may sometimes be low on stock on Mondays following a busy weekend.

Best-run grocery stores ensure that they are hardly out of stock on Mondays or any other day for that matter.

It’s a buyer’s market if you will. After all, you have several choices in terms of where to shop, right? So, well-run grocery stores are hip to the patterns and insights revealed by their stock management software.

They know that it’s simply too costly to have customers experience out of stocks.

And while all customers are likely to be forgiving one time. They aren’t going to do that if they repeatedly see the same patterns of products being out of stock.

They’ll go to their competitors. A loss in revenue!

So, the best grocery stores are not out of stock on Mondays, seeing as they are being restocked several times each day. The small items during the day, while the big items and those likely to disrupt operations are restocked at night.

WalMart to close overnight to combat COVID-19 spread, restock producthttps://t.co/cQVVGCThAy pic.twitter.com/OJMueF5J3p

— KATU News (@KATUNews) March 16, 2020

What is the best day to shop at Walmart?

Any day of the week is good to shop at Walmart in terms of the fullness of the shelves. But the least busy days to shop are Tues, Wed, and Thurs, and the least busy times are right at opening and after 8 pm.

Below are some of the advice from some Walmart employees.

Note that it’s subject to change. If you don’t like shopping when there’s a huge crowd (who does?), it’s best to be there before lunch. If you want non-perishable food and toilet paper, it’s best to be there as soon as the store opens.

Any day of the week, early in the day, is good. Say around 8 am.

The meat from the previous day goes on sale at this time! In effect, early in the morning on any weekday would be okay, seeing as Walmart’s overnight crew had been cleaning and restocking during the night.

If you want to narrow down your choices, I’d say go on Wednesday morning.

As you probably know, the weekends are the least ideal times since this is when most people are free to shop and shop.

How do you effectively navigate the different sections of a grocery store?

I crafted a guide for you in a recent article of mine. Have you always wondered whether grocery stores are designed to make you walk a certain way? Check out the article for the answer and a lot more from a 20-year veteran.

Just click the link to read the article on my site.

Conclusion

It can be frustrating when you can get what you want from your local store. In this article, we looked at issues around the restocking schedules of grocery stores.

We learned that the top dogs often restock daily. At times, twice daily. Think Whole Foods, Walmart…

And, we learned that small stores may replenish their stock twice a week. It makes sense. The volume of transactions and in-store traffic are key variables.

Do busy grocery stores restock daily, are Walmart’s shelves full first thing in the morning, do most whole foods restock in the morning…and similar themes were explored.

We even found out the best day to shop.

Even if you typically use reusable grocery bags, chances are you have more than a few plastic grocery bags lying around. I know I occasionally drop mine off at the grocery store’s plastic bag recycling bin, but how do supermarkets recycle plastic bags?

Many supermarkets recycle plastic bags, along with other plastic film items. These transferred from the collection bins to recycling centers, where these are converted into outdoor decking and rails, park benches, picnic tables, new bags, and much more. However, plastic bags must not be put in curbside recycling bins.

But that’s not all there is to know about how grocery stores recycle plastic bags!

There are specific ways and procedures followed for this. Besides, you might also be interested in knowing what other materials can and cannot be recycled. I will explain it all in this article.

Just keep reading!

Do grocery stores really recycle bags?

Yes. Grocery stores that place collection bins for plastic bags do recycle them. They, in turn, pass them on to recycling companies who those bags, and other plastic films, into outdoor decking and railing, park benches, and picnic tables.

If you’ve done any amount of grocery shopping, you’ve probably seen the collection bins outside for plastic bags. You may have even put some bags in those collection bins.

But not all grocery stores have those bins, and you can’t put them with your regular recyclables.

So it is natural to wonder if it’s a gimmick or a feel-good tactic to justify the store using plastic bags (which more and more stores and cities are baning). But yes, stores really do turn them into recycling companies that reuse the bags.

If your store doesn’t have those bins, and you have enough bathroom trash bags to last you a lifetime, there are still plenty of things you can do with them.

Here are some of the top home uses for leftover plastic bags if you aren’t able to recycle yours:

1. Leftovers – Use a clean, dry bag to wrap up leftovers in the fridge, especially if it doesn’t actually touch the food. Put your leftover veggies inside the bag and tie a knot.

It won’t keep your food fresh for a week, but if you’re going to eat them the next day, it’s perfect.

Do you have half an onion or cucumber, still in its peel that needs to be stored? Use a plastic grocery bag. You’re going to throw away the outer layer of the food anyway.

2. Breading chicken –  Put a grocery bag inside another one, add in your breading and seasonings—Drop-in your chicken and shake. Once your chicken is coated, ball up the bag and the leftover breading and discard. No dishes to wash, no expensive zip-top bag to toss.

3. Other cool uses – You can also use them as a:

• Disposable spoon rest
• Christmas ornament storage
• floral frog
• Packing material
• Storing paint brushes

These are just a few uses for plastic grocery bags. You can even donate them to your local Goodwill or other thrift stores.

My council takes hard plastic – bottle, trays etc – for recycling but not flimsy stuff, crisp packets, plastic bags, films etc. Here is 110g of it collected over 3 days to take back to supermarket to its ‘please recycle your plastic bags’ box. What it does with it I don’t know. pic.twitter.com/6bTOonqjWn

— Paul Lewis (@paullewismoney) January 13, 2020

How do they recycle plastic grocery bags?

The plastic grocery bags collected by grocery stores are first cleaned to get rid of any food particles. These are then transported to a recycling center, where they mix plastic film together with wood pulp and heat the mixture up until it melds together.

These plastics are recycled into decking and railing products.

Anything you recycle must be clean and completely dry. If your bags and other plastic film items are not clean of food residue, they can contaminate the entire batch. Which means it won’t be recycled and will end up in the landfill.

Plastic grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, and other plastic film items can all be placed in the grocery store’s recycle bin.

Don’t put them in your curbside bin. Plastic grocery bags can get tangled in the machines. Workers will get them off, and then throw them in the trash.

Trex, the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking products, picks up the bags from these locations all around the country. 

That’s it. Take your plastic film materials to your local grocery store. Trex will pick them up and turn them into decking.

That’s pretty neat!

#recycle your soft plastic in your local supermarket, look for these bins to recycle them in. pic.twitter.com/Wrl5hMG274

— SaveEnergySaveMoney (@SaveESaveM) May 18, 2017

Can bubble wrap or Saran wrap be recycled with plastic bags?

Yes. Bubble wrap or Saran wrap can be recycled with plastic bags. All plastic bags are considered plastic film. They are soft, flexible polyethylene packaging. As long as it’s clean and dry, bubble wrap and plastic wrap can be dropped in the plastic bag bin.

But those aren’t the only things you can put in those bins!

Here are a few other things you can put in the plastic bag bins at the grocery store:

• Bread bags
• Case overwrap
• Dry cleaning bags
• Newspaper sleeves
• Ice bags
• Wood pellet bags
• Ziploc and other resealable bags

You cannot, however, put these plastic film items in your curbside recycling.

When you put these items in the curbside bin, they can get tangled in the recycling equipment. As a result, workers have to stop the machines to cut out the bags. Then they go straight to the landfill.

Another thing you can’t put in your curbside bin is aseptic containers.

This is the kind of packaging used for things like juice boxes, broths, soups, tomatoes, and even wine. The cartons are made of layered paper, aluminum foil, and plastic. They can be recycled in many cities, but not all cities.

Take a look at this recent article to read more about aseptic containers and how to recycle them.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Off to the #supermarket to find out if we can #recycle these #plastic bags. @aplastic_planet pic.twitter.com/EDIX2mSrXM

— Giki 💚 Live more sustainably (@gikiearth) October 13, 2018

What are the facts about recycling plastic bags?

Here are some interesting facts about recycling plastic bags. First, apart from plastic bags, you can also recycle dry cleaning and food storage bags. Second, they need to be clean and dry during the recycling process. And third, they can be converted to decks, containers, new bags, and more.

Plastic film, unlike other plastic items, cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, it must be taken to a drop-off location. Grocery stores and other retail stores will usually have bins for collecting bags for recycling.

You can recycle more than just plastic bags!

You can recycle dry cleaning bags, produce bags, the wrap-around paper towels, toilet paper, and diapers. You can recycle newspaper bags and food storage bags, too! Just make sure it’s clean and dry and free from food residue.

There are more than 18,000 collection sites across the U.S. and Canada.

That means that even though you may not be able to put plastic bags in your curbside bin, it’s still easy and convenient to recycle plastic bags!

Just take them with you the next time you head out to the grocery store.

Plastic film can get new life as all sorts of things! Plastic bags can not only become composite lumber for decks, benches, and playground sets. It can also be processed into small pellets, which can later be made into new bags, pallets, containers, crates, and even pipes. source

@lisablairee look what I found at Target!!! Recycling for grocery and bread bags. Any plastic labeled 2 or 4🙂 pic.twitter.com/5WY3Tl4wKI

— Cathy (@CathyCasilda) March 20, 2019

Does Target or Walmart recycle plastic bags?

Yes! Both Target and Walmart recycle plastic bags and are also a part of the Beyond the Bag Initiative. In fact, Target takes it a step further by using plastic shopping bags that are made up of 40% recycled plastic. And even offers and additional 5-cent discount for customers using reusable bags.

Many more supermarkets and retail stores also recycle plastic bags. Here are just a few of the other stores that collect plastic bags for recycling:

• Home Depot
• Kohl’s
• Food Lion
• Whole Foods
• Kroger  

They also have in-store kiosks for customers to recycle their bags.

To encourage people to reduce their use of plastic bags altogether, Target provides a 5-cent discount for each reusable bag customers use at checkout, too.

Walmart, Target, and CVS are all members of the Beyond the Bag Initiative, too. The initiative aims to identify, test, and implement viable alternatives to the traditional plastic bag. 

If your small local grocery store doesn’t recycle grocery bags, you may have to take your bags to a larger supermarket. You could even reach out to the manager or store owner to encourage them to participate in recycling plastic bags.

But wait? What’s the difference between a grocery store and a supermarket?

True, the terms are used interchangeably, but there are a few differences. Grocery stores are smaller and more specialized. Supermarkets will have lots of choices, in-house butchers, and fresh seafood.

To read more about the differences between grocery stores and supermarkets, just read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

In this article, I talked about whether supermarkets actually recycle plastic bags. Also these plastic bags are sent to recycling centers like that of Trix, for converting them into other usable material. 

I talked about whether saran wrap or bubble wrap can be recycled with plastic bags. And I also mentioned that Walmart, Target, and many other grocery stores too recycle plastic bags. I even gave some fun facts about recycling plastic bags.

Are you going to start taking your bags to be recycled?

Most shoplifted items are small and expensive, and grocery stores have very thin profit margins. This means that any loss is significant. So how do supermarkets protect stolen goods?

Well-trained employees are the number one way used by grocery stores to protect stolen goods. But grocery stores can’t rely solely on employees. They also use security cameras and lock up expensive frequently stolen items. Some grocery stores may even hire private security or undercover cops. 

But that just scratches the surface.

You may also be interested to know which items are most often stolen from supermarkets. And do you know is unscanned barcodes also set off alarms? Besides, how do shops know if an item has been stolen?

Just keep reading to learn more!

How do grocery stores prevent theft?

The best way for grocery stores to prevent theft is by training their employees to be more attentive and spot shoplifters. Knowing where the blind spots in a store are is also helpful, as well as being aware of suspicious behavior. Many also hire professional security guards. 

Every year, grocery stores lose 1.35% of their inventory due to theft. (source)

While this doesn’t seem like a lot on the surface, remember grocery stores have really thin profit margins. This means that any loss is a significant one.

The most important way to prevent theft is to have attentive employees.

Properly trained and attentive employees can provide hands-on customer service, which allows them to spot potential shoplifters.

Loitering customers without a cart or basket may try to avoid any encounters with employees. While this strategy may not cut out theft completely, it can help grocery stores be more aware.

Employees are also trained to look out for suspicious behavior. Large shopping bags, hanging around high-theft items, moving in groups, and hanging around certain areas for long periods of time are all indicators that someone is likely to steal.

Shoplifters may also stoop or hide their hands in order to conceal an item.

If something like this is spotted, employees engage with them. Now, by “engage with them,” I don’t mean accuse them. I mean, ask them if they need help finding anything or if they have any questions. Alternatively, the employee may report the activity to a manager.

Another way to prevent theft is to encourage customers to use a cart or basket.

Customers that use reusable shopping bags may want to use those bags to carry their items while they are in the store. By the time they get to the front of the store, employees may think that they have already paid for their items.

Instead, customers should be prompted to use a cart or basket provided by the store.

Stores also employee security tags that set off alarms when an item is carried out of the store without payment. At the same time, CCTV cameras help to monitor customer behavior in the entire store.

Sausage, adorned with sensors due to rampant food theft, in a grocery store in the Russian Federation, 2016 #Putin pic.twitter.com/YUfIyMFpV6

— Jett Goldsmith (@JettGoldsmith) April 15, 2016

What is the most stolen item from supermarkets?

The most stolen items from supermarkets are meat, steaks, ground beef, roasts, etc. Other items that are stolen frequently are energy drinks, over the counter medicine, and cosmetics.

These items are relatively small and are easy to conceal. They are usually left out in the open and not security tagged. This makes meat easy to shoplift.

Bear in mind most shoplifters steal with the intention of later trying to return it for cashback. So they tend to not only steal small things but also higher-priced things such as over the counter medicine, and cosmetics.

Spotting a meat thief can be tricky, though.

Especially during the winter when everyone is wearing a big coat. They sneak it up and shove it in their coat. This is where the well-trained employee comes in.

A well-trained employee will be able to spot the thief. To another shopper, the individual may appear overweight. But to an employee, they will see someone acting suspiciously with an ill-fitting coat.

I still recall busting a woman in San Francisco with dozens of packages of meat stuffed down her workout pants with a heavy coat worn on top.

Advil, Claritin, and weight loss drugs are some of the most stolen over the counter medicines.

There are a lot of different departments in supermarkets, meaning that there are a lot of potential places to steal from.

To read about the different departments, just check out this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Barcodes are yet another example of very smart design! They help stores to keep track of inventory and make checking out much more efficient! Can you imagine buying things at the grocery store without barcodes? #engl318mu #drpgame pic.twitter.com/YYW93e5Rng

— Meghan Epler (@EplerMeghan) June 17, 2020

Do unscanned barcodes set off alarms?

No, unscanned barcodes do not set off alarms, as barcodes are only meant for the purpose of inventory and not security. Unlike department stores, most grocery stores do not use security sensors to trigger alarms when exiting the store if not removed.

If you’ve ever purchased multiples of a single product, you may notice that the cashier doesn’t always scan each product.

They can simply put in the number of items you purchased and scan a single item. While the number of items is accounted for, each individual barcode is not scanned. Chances are, you’ve made it out of the door without setting off the alarm.

If the alarm went off every time a barcode was not scanned, the alarms would be going off all day.

But that’s not to say that there are no items with security tags. Things that are frequently stolen, or high value, can have security tags on them or inside the packaging.

But it’s really uncommon for grocery stores to use security tags.

The reason grocery stores don’t usually use security tags is due to the time it would take at checkout to remove them. That would mean longer lines or potentially require more personnel. Neither of those things are good for a store looking to have happy customers and maximize low profit margins.

Barcodes can be used for all kinds of inventory/stocktaking work, but they’re probably most familiar to us as identification codes printed on grocery store products https://t.co/Dqa2uytpEe pic.twitter.com/Oiupa6gdzw

— Kaptur ID (@IdKaptur) June 27, 2019

How do shops know if something is stolen?

Most stores do inventory monthly or quarterly. So if they know they received 10 of an item, and computer records show 7 were sold, there should be 3 left on the shelf. If there is only 1 on the shelf, they know 2 were stolen.

As I mentioned, security scanners are not common in grocery stores. So, unfortunately, that means there isn’t always an easy or quick way to know if something was stolen.

Every item is accounted for during inventory. Grocery stores know that they can’t prevent every theft, but they can count their losses.

As I mentioned above, most thieves steal with the intention of later returning it to get cash. So in the moment of the return, with the thief obviously not having a receipt, there is not a lot the store can do to verify the original purchase.

I still recall a guy wanting to return 15 lbs of shrimp without a receipt or the product

It was a busy holiday in December and there were a lot of customers. The guy made a big stink about how the shrimp was bad and made all of his dinner party guests sick.

In short, he chose a busy day and time and made up a story designed to make us want to pay him money quickly so that other customers withuin ear shot weren’t alarms that we would be selling poor quality shrimp.

But in this case, I asked him to describe the employee who sold him the shrimp knowing that being a busy holiday day, that employee would not only likely be working, but also remember such a large order of shrimp.

He gave me a vague description, and then I asked him to walk with me to the seafood counter.

In short, most thieves will abandon their efforts if they don’t get quick results. When he couldn’t identify any of the employees, and none of them remembered the large sale, we checked the sales records for that item number to see if there was a recent sale in that quantity.

Big surprise there wasn’t and he quickly left.

This is why most stores insist on a receipt for returns. They may offer you an exchange, but they likely won’t give you any money back if you don’t have a receipt.

And sometimes they may not know if something is stolen.

Small items are stolen all the time. Besides that, a lot theft is internal (ie: employees). So if someone steals something, and they don’t try to return it, they will likely never get caught.

Two Arrested After Grocery Store Theft In St. John’shttps://t.co/dX3F6vHWI3 pic.twitter.com/Syn6HNYEsy

— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) March 27, 2019

Do grocery stores use undercover cops?

Yes, many grocery stores use undercover & uniformed cops, or private security. But they tend to be more of a deterent rather than catching & arresting thieves. Officers & security guards are trained to look for suspicious behavior and most theives will leave quickly if they feel they are being watched or followed.

Loss prevention people work very closely with law enforcement.

And most police officers and state troopers are paid fairly low and often will take security jobs on the side as a way to add extra income. Plus, compared to chasing down criminals on the street, grocery store security jobs are pretty low risk.

Sometimes grocery stores will hire private security, too.

Private security tends to be cheaper by the hour. They may or may not be in uniform. And while they don’t have the power to arrest someone, they do have the power to detain shoplifters until the police show up.

Even if a store doesn’t have undercover cops or private security, almost all grocery stores have loss prevention people.

They don’t wear uniforms, and they are not always obvious. They will recognize frequent shoplifters, and they are trained to recognize potential shoplifters.

And every supermarket has cameras. So they will see you. And if they don’t catch shoplifters the first time, they will catch them eventually.

Former employee pleads guilty to stealing more than $265,000 from boss, lying about tax returns — https://t.co/1DejJfoAQ6 #Embezzled #Theft #Louisiana pic.twitter.com/FR8CCPaQ1r

— KTVE – KARD (@MyArkLaMiss) January 30, 2019

How often do employees steal?

95% of employees steal from their employer at least once. That is an increase of 79% compared to statistics from 1999. About 1 in every 40 employees in retail positions gets arrested for theft every year.

Unfortunately, it’s REALLY common. (source for above)

As a GM (what they called Store Team Leader) for Whole Foods Market for many years, I’ve unfortunately fired dozens of employees for theft.

Often it was smaller items for personal consumption.

But on one occasion, I had to fire our meat manager who was loading an entire stock cart of meat into his car (and had probably been doing it for months if not years before he got caught).

Employees steal for a wide variety of reasons, but most often it’s one of these:

• Because they feel they are entitled due to low pay or poor working conditions
• They think the company is making plenty of money and won’t miss a few bucks
• Because they have seen others steal and not get caught
• They have seen the boss do things that are against company policy, implying that the rules don’t have to be followed

While employers will never be able to prevent all employee theft, there are a few simple rules I lived by as a GM which I believe makes it happen less frequently.

Those are:

• Treat all theft the same regardless of the dollar amount
• Be firm, fair, and consistent in how you handle every incident of employee theft
• Treat your employees well and give benefit of the doubt if there’s a question
• Never, ever ask your employees to follow rules you don’t follow

Final Thoughts

In this article, I talked about how supermarkets protect stolen goods.

I talked about how grocery stores prevent theft. And how they train their employees to check for suspicious behavior among shoppers. I also talked about whether unscanned barcodes set off alarms.

And that grocery stores may even use undercover cops and private security, apart from regular employees.

Be a good person, don’t steal. Stealing from a grocery store could get you banned from the store, and it can result in criminal charges. It’s not worth it.

Fruit flies. Those pesky little flies that seem to love every fruit and vegetable on your counter. But it may have surprised you that grocery stores that have tons of produce rarely have fruit flies. Why don’t grocery stores have fruit flies?

Grocery stores don’t have fruit flies as they take all the precautions to prevent them in the first place. Since fruit flies go after rotten produce, grocery stores pay special attention to cull items daily. They also keep the shelves & racks clean, quickly wiping away any stray produce juices.

But, it is also essential to learn what attracts fruit flies, and why they may swarm in your kitchen but are hard to spot in stores. Besides, there’s much more to know about how grocery stores prevent and kill fruit flies.

Just keep reading to find out!

What causes fruit flies to appear?

Fruit flies generally appear out of nowhere. One day, there are no fruit flies anywhere to be seen. The next day, a swarm appears.

So what gives?

Fruit flies lay their eggs directly on rotting fruit and vegetables. They may also lay their eggs inside drains or on countertops that are not kept clean.

Besides, Fruit flies may produce up to 500 offspring, and the entire life cycle only takes about a week to complete. As a result, they can get out of control quickly.

Fruit flies are attracted to the smell of ripening fruit and decomposing produce.

I can’t think of anything stronger smelling than overripe bananas. So if your bananas, or any fresh produce, has been hanging around on the counter for too long, you’re likely to attract Fruit Flies.

At the grocery store, if the fruit is close to being overripe, or is otherwise not able to be sold, like a bruised apple, it might be transferred to another department like the Juice Bar. There it will be refrigerated if not used immediately.

That way, the produce department doesn’t get fruit flies. And it also helps the store reduce waste by using it in a different department.

But unfortunately, not all damaged or dated products get reused. So you may be wondering what happens to other food that isn’t sold.

If you are wondering what happens to unsold food in supermarkets, just read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

I’ve been enjoying my back deck a lot this summer, and my patio garden brings me joy, but lately the deck is my escape from the fruitflies in my kitchen 😂 #summerproblems pic.twitter.com/ii5H7Xx4FG

— Tracey Tulloch (@Ringetteaholic) August 21, 2020

Do grocery stores use pesticides to kill fruit flies?

It’s unlikely that grocery stores use pesticides to kill fruit flies because they cannot be easily controlled with pesticides and insecticides. Plus most grocery stores have organically grown produce that can’t be sprayed with most pesticides.

The best solution to control flies is to prevent them in the first place.

The workers in the produce department are continually making sure surfaces are kept clean and dry. The high turnover of produce means they don’t need to inspect every piece of food necessarily. But they do remove produce with spots and bruises as quickly as possible.

Plus all stock gets rotated daily and anything damaged, bruised, or past it’s prime gets culled daily.

If they see a fruit fly, they head towards it to take a look at what it’s attracted to. Then they remove the source and clean the area around it.

In fact, one of the reasons that people love Whole Foods Market so much is that they genuinely care about the quality of their products.

They care so much that they have gone above and beyond the standards set by the FDA. As there is no definition of “natural” food, Whole Foods has compiled its own list of unacceptable ingredients.

These unacceptable ingredients include, but are not limited to:

• Hydrogenated fats
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Artificial sweeteners
• Preservatives
• Artificial colors and flavors

If a food contains any of these unacceptable ingredients, you won’t see it on their shelves.

To read more about what makes Whole Foods so popular, just check out this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

It’s officially “put a napkin over your wine glass, the little jerk fruit flies are back” season. pic.twitter.com/yMsaCZLGAP

— Ana with one N (@ana_myla) August 20, 2020

Do grocery stores use traps to kill fruit flies?

Some grocery stores probably have traps in the back rooms.

Bugs of all kinds, not just fruit flies can get in near the trash compactor and loading docks. So they will likely have either sticky traps or zappers in the room near the trash compactor and receiving area.

Regardless of what they use, they won’t be out where the customers can see them.

This talk about the back room and the trash compactor may have you thinking about all of the other sections of the grocery store.

And there are many of them!

Almost all grocery stores start with a produce department and then line the walls with meat, seafood, deli, and bakery. Then the center of the store encompasses the grocery department, along with beer and wine, and health and beauty products. The front end is where the cashiers and baggers finalize the shopping experience.

But that just scratches the surface! To read all about the different sections of a grocery store, read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Instead of referring to this as ‘avoid COVID-19 and wash your groceries!’, let’s put a positive spin and call it ‘anti fruit fly’ washing! We haven’t had a single fruit fly since washing all groceries! 😁👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/cxZAPiytvD

— 🇨🇦 Leslie-Anne 💉💉FULLY VAXXED 👍🏻👍🏻 🇨🇦 (@ProudGrannyCdn) July 10, 2020

How do you get rid of fruit flies in a grocery store?

Fruit flies can be challenging to get rid of.

Prevention methods are the best way to ensure fruit flies don’t make an appearance. That’s why it’s so important to remove any bruised or overripe produce promptly.

But if an apple falls off the counter, and gets kicked under the display, it will start to rot. When it starts to decay, fruit flies will know and will start to swarm.

That’s when the cleaning begins.

The produce department will have to do a deep cleaning of the area. Not only to find the food source for the fruit flies but to prevent more from coming.

When they find that hidden onion, they’ll clean the area thoroughly with bleach. They’ll clean the floor where the onion was, as well as any surrounding surfaces. They’ll remove any other potential food sources as well.

If they are bad enough, they may call in a professional service to get rid of them.

Uh… I knew we had a few fruit flies, but we discovered way more than we thought, thanks to the amazing and fast-working apple cider vinegar trick!

Do the little buggers set up shop in the drains? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/JrJkQmhz1j

— Marnie Stretch (@MarnieStretch) August 20, 2020

What is the best product to kill fruit flies?

The first thing worth doing is to make sure it’s actually a fruit fly and not a gnat.

Fruit flies range from tan to reddish-orange and brown. Gnats are a common look alike, but they are gray to black in color.

If you do have fruit flies, first and foremost, clean all of your surfaces and discard any overripe or rotting fruit. If you’ve cleaned and cleaned, but you’re still seeing them, there are a few ways to get rid of fruit flies.

Apple cider vinegar. Fill a glass or bowl with apple cider vinegar, and cover it with plastic wrap and seal with a rubber band. Poke tiny holes in the top. Fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar, but won’t be able to escape.

Apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Secondly, you may use a drop of dish soap in a bowl of vinegar and mix. Since soap decreases the surface tension, the flies become immersed and can’t escape.

Old beer or wine. If you have a bottle of beer or an old bottle of wine, leave it out near where the fruit flies have been congregating. They will be attracted to the old, sweet beverage, but will be unable to escape through the narrow neck.

Final Thoughts

We talked about how fruit flies gravitate toward rotten fruit.

Grocery stores do their best to make sure that there are no rotten fruit or fruit juices on display. We also discussed how grocery stores prevent the appearance of fruit flies. And how fruit files are handled if they do make an appearance.

Grocery stores hate fruit flies just as much as you do because they know that you won’t want to shop where there are swarms of those pesky bugs.

You’re on your way out of a grocery store, and you’re annoyed and frustrated. Some of the products you wanted were out of stock. It happens all the time, and often leaves us wondering how do grocery stores keep track of inventory?

Most grocery stores use inventory management software, which manages stock lists in real-time. This software scans products in when received at the backdoor. Then keeps track of what gets sold through the register. Some stores even use automatic purchasing systems that re-order when items get low.

But every store does this a little differently!

Despite the different methods adopted by different grocery stores, you might be curious to explore further the methods they use. Besides, you might also be wondering about how often and why grocery stores actually physically count their Inventory.

So, lets read further to understand the whole process associated with grocery store inventory.

How do grocery stores manage Inventory?

Inventory management is primarily about keeping records of products that the store receives and products that go out of the store. They consider the returns as well.

The “outgoings” include sales. But it also includes damaged items, expired items, and theft. Collectively those last ones are called shrink, or sometimes spoilage.

In the old days, and even when I first started with Whole Foods Market in 1988, grocery store inventory had a lot of challenges. Most of it was done by hand and involved a lot of guesswork and human error.

But these days, digital equipment and inventory management software is the essential tool to manage inventory. How? First, these products (known in the industry as stock-keeping units, SKU) are captured by the software system when they are brought into the store (from the warehouse).

All products (except maybe small, local products) have bar codes, and this helps make it easier to keep track of them. So, they’re all captured as “inflows.” Barcoding is an integral part of these software systems, and it’s so common, we often take them for granted.

And yet, they’re vital.

The quantity is reduced from the records when the products are bought and paid for. That’s a reduction in Inventory. As soon as the cash comes in, Inventory leaves. In addition to collecting the payment, the cash register (integrated with the inventory system) also helps to keep track of the stock. The software system can also generate a replenishment list.

Or in some cases order it automatically.

Employees can make adjustments concerning damaged goods, returns, expired items

The net difference should approximate the closing Inventory, which now becomes the first Inventory for the subsequent fiscal period.

Then when the store does a physical count of their inventory, the 2 numbers get compared. Some do a physical count monthly, and some annually. But most do it quarterly or even monthly.

Essentially the difference in the 2 numbers is a loss of profit, hopefully small. But you can bet they investigate to figure out where the slip-ups are occurring!

Let’s move on to look at the steps in its inventory process.

Our MCM goes to Oscar Ekponimo. He invented the Chowberry App which helps grocery stores manage their food inventory and alerts them when items are close to expiry date. pic.twitter.com/495uByFLn8

— Leadway Capital & Trusts (@Leadway_Capital) January 28, 2019

What is the supermarket inventory process?

Before we check out the inventory process, you might be thinking: what even makes a supermarket different from a grocery store?

Are they the same thing?

I have taken the time in recent articleof mine to highlight the key differences. In it, you’ll discover, for example, the primary purpose of supermarkets, examples of some excellent supermarkets, and other fascinating facts.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Supermarket Inventory Process

The main steps involved in the supermarket inventory process:

1. Goods are ordered/purchased 
2. As they’re received, the bar codes help in ensuring data about each SKU is captured
3. There’s now an accurate record of all the available products
4. When goods are sold, the bar codes help in updating Inventory
5. Damaged goods, expired goods, pilferage are also deducted
6. The software system helps generate a replenishment list
7. The system has preset reorder levels
8. New Inventory is brought in
9. The cycle is repeated as appropriate

This grocery store robot is tracking inventory, checking prices, describing when shelves should be cleaned up pic.twitter.com/jaY14oAfM9

— Vance Crowe (@VanceCrowe) August 13, 2017

How often do grocery stores count their Inventory?

It varies from store to store. Some stores employ a perpetual method. Doing that, they rely on the software systems to track products entering and leaving the store. Then they rely on their employees to manually subtract the shrink.

Easy for sure. But there’s no way to track theft doing this system unless you catch the thief.

Other stores, most probably, do a physical count of their inventory. Often this is done by an inventory service like RGIS. But some stores may just use their own employees. There are pros and cons to both.

No matter which method of counting they use, some stores count it monthly, and some annually. But most probably do it quarterly. And yes, it involves counting every single box, bag, can, and cucumber in the whole store. Although in produce, it’s often done by total weight for each type of item.

Of course, some departments are easier to count than others.

By the way, what are the main sections of a grocery store? It’s good to know as you can easily navigate most stores (that’ll save you time). In a recent article of mine, I went into great detail on how a grocery store is laid out.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Overall, the more frequent the physical counting, the more accurate the financial reporting. But physical inventory does take its toll on the store, employees, and managers. The counting is typically done in one night. But the preparation and follow-up reporting can last a week or more.

And when everyone is focused on that instead of the store’s appearance and customer service, those things tend to suffer.

#Robots are becoming an increasingly common sight in grocery stores and other large shops around the nation. Stores may use robots to help manage inventory, making these stores more #efficient a safer place to shop. #SmartRobotics #ArtificialIntelligence https://t.co/IOPSJ0agJq pic.twitter.com/ZGlL8qFIiw

— Lauren E Holsinger (@l_holsinger) June 15, 2020

Why do grocery stores count Inventory?

You might be thinking why they would do this?

Essentially it comes down to profit. You really have no idea how much profit (or loss) you’ve made unless you count your inventory and see if it matches what the computer says you have.

Any difference between your count and what the computer says should be on the shelves is loss (of product and profit). Now certainly, if the error was in counting, then you’ll get that back the next time you count.

But the reality is that there are always counting errors. So in a way, the cycle of counting and estimating profit and loss is ongoing. And there’s never really a perfect number.

But another important reason for a good system for inventory management is the need to ensure they always have enough products. If they don’t have enough, they lose money. Since a customer can simply go to another store.

Grocery stores deal mostly with perishable, fast-moving goods, making sense that they ought to know what they have at any time. Some products have expiry dates and need removal at a specific time if they’re not bought.

There’s a need to prevent spoilage and ensure that stock remains full all the time. 

If out of stocks occur frequently, they may lose a large number of customers, as word spreads that they are not reliable! That’s something no smart business wants.

Another reason is for accounting purposes.

They need to prepare financial statements, and inventory count and valuation are vital components. Financial statements are mandated by law if a company is publically held (meaning traded on the stock market). They’re also essential for proper overall management.

Final Thoughts

A lot goes into running a first-rate grocery store or supermarket.

As we’ve seen in the preceding paragraphs, the inventory management process is one of the most critical factors. Besides, we’ve looked at how grocery stores track inventory process entails, how often grocery stores count Inventory.

We also explored the reasons. It’s only smart business to keep on top of Inventory. Just as wise people keep records of what they own.

Inventory management demands for accurate financial reporting.

Although Inventory management software and digital equipment help in making the process a lot easier, do not negate the need for conducting physical stock counts now and then.