In the Trenches: The cutting-edge application that delivers real-time data

What if there was an application that could instantly inform you — with actionable data — about the entire operation of each produce department in real time? What if the program gave you alert signs of a possible crisis before it occurs? What if it could help lower your shrink rate up to 2 percent and place that savings onto your gross profit?

Would you want that application? I would.

There once were days when everyone used a pencil, paper, typewriter and comptometer to figure out the produce gross profit. The produce shrinkage numbers were always a guessing game or just left as an unknown.

Then along came the calculator, which was a bit faster but still took time to input numbers and tally the math. Then the numbers were transferred over to a form or document for management to read. Time was still a handicap.

Eventually, the computer entered the scene and made work assignments a lot easier. Calculating the produce costs, retails and projections on a spreadsheet eliminated pencils, paper and calculators. This revolutionized the information age. It not only changed the way we did business, but also altered people’s lives.

The computer age brought us the internet, websites, email, social media and online shopping. Now, with wireless systems a person can be in any location communicating on their smartphones with internet-enabled devices.

So far, we have been relying on Human Intelligence (HI) as we peck away at keyboards to operate desktop computers. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the next step in raising the bar on technology. Even with the information age at our fingertips there are still obstacles that occur during the daily workload. But now there is a new software application that will instantly help the retail produce team make critical daily decisions that have an impact on the entire department operating performance.

Tim Vaux, COO of Empower Fresh, noted, “This tool is a revolutionary step forward in managing profit in the produce aisle. Adopting the Empower Fresh program automatically identifies independent retailers who are serious about using technology to manage profits.”

Mike Nicometo, CEO of Empower Fresh, explained, “Empower Fresh is a produce-centric solution that provides key information to produce managers, staff and produce directors, to empower individuals to proactively make decisions and improve quality, reduce shrink and improve both sales and gross profit. There are two areas that Empower Fresh can increase gross profit at a base level: reduced shrink and protect and increase gross profit.”

Using Empower Fresh for retail produce managers at the store and director level provides information at a glance, which is normally difficult for employees to obtain in a timely manner.

Empower Fresh provides real time and near real time information to retail produce directors and management, providing alerts, key metrics and other information to empower the produce department staff to prevent shrink and enhance sales.

Empower Fresh is designed by Fresh Experts who review weekly alerts and systems. Regardless of other store-wide technology programs, Empower Fresh focuses on issues not easily accessible to produce managers and directors.

“The key point for a C-level manager or CFO in a retail group to understand is that the Empower Fresh solution provides more real-time savings week in, and week out than it costs, regardless of other storewide multi-department solutions,” said Nicometo. “It is not an added cost to operations; it is a net added savings. In addition to cost benefits on an operational level, Empower Fresh provides continuous process improvement by enhancing operations, quality, staff education and complimentary consulting from Fresh Experts.”

Anthony Totta, chief visionary officer and president of Empower Fresh, said, “Having grown up in this business as a third-generation grocer, I can truly say it’s revolutionary to use real time actionable data like a GPS rather than historical data after the damage was already done. The discovery our users experience keeps them maximizing profits by lowering shrink, capturing sales, and maximizing profits all while remaining competitive in their marketplace. In today’s tight and transient labor market, our tool provides expert guidance while educating and training in a perpetual cycle. Our Empower Fresh solution delivers return on investment week one of implementation. We do not think retail grocers can live without this powerful yet simple tool.” For more information, go to www.empowerfresh.com.

Ron Pelger is a produce industry adviser and industry writer. He can be contacted at 775/843-2394 or by e-mail at [email protected].