We're delighted to have as our guests this week produce manager Dan Weis and store manager Michael Gillespie of The Fresh Market. In the grocery industry broadly, many companies try to be everything to every shopper, but The Fresh Market has a unique approach, focusing on premium meal solutions, special occasions, and holidays. Sampling plays a significant role, and the expectation (enabled by a collaborative culture) is that team members create a shopping experience of "impeccable hospitality." In this conversation, Michael talks about what attracted him to The Fresh Market, how he judges his own performance beyond financial metrics, the importance of asking team members about what ideas they have to drive the business, how they're seeing shoppers of different income levels respond to the current economic pressures, how the store recently tackled a challenge to showcase its full catering and special occasion capabilities for New Years, and more. Dan discusses collaboration across departments, the store's fresh-cut assortment, cultural aspects of the company he appreciates, and recent success stories from the produce department, including an innovative value-added idea he suggested and piloted that later was rolled out company-wide. Hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

For more episodes of The Produce Retail Podcast that feature produce managers, check out this curated playlist. 

More Playlists

• Executive Perspective

• Leadership & Training

• Marketing & Merchandising

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.