We talk a lot on this podcast — advocate, quite frankly — about the amazing returns that come from investing in training and education for frontline professionals, particular produce managers. In this week's episode, we bring back Kevin Climie, senior director of produce and floral at Fortinos, to discuss how the banner's 24 stores differentiate themselves with next-level floral departments — including how they invest in training and education for their floral managers. Fortinos is under the Loblaws umbrella but functions as an independent, so all Fortinos stores are franchised and have individual owners. Other topics Climie covers in this episode with The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle include the layout and location of Fortinos floral departments and the role they play for the banner; how the company began its collaboration with local higher-learning institutions to train and educate floral team members; the growth of floral for Fortinos in recent years; seasonal must-haves and trends in floral; willingness to pay among floral consumers and pricing structures that resonate; monitoring for new items and the role that supplier partnerships play; how product can be repurposed in floral just like it can in produce; preparation for Valentine's Day on the procurement side and the store operations side; and much more. Enjoy!

Here's that playlist dedicated to conversations with current and former vice presidents of produce, directors of produce, and other executive roles. 

More Playlists

• Merchandising & Marketing 

• Leadership & Training

• Produce Manager Perspective

Podcast Background

This podcast is designed to cover all things produce retail: strategy, partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and beyond. Scroll through our episodes list to find conversations with vice presidents and directors of produce, merchandisers, produce managers, retail dietitians and more.

Get Involved

The Produce Retail Podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, a former trade journalist turned consultant. Have an idea for a topic or a guest? Give her a shout on LinkedIn.