What is the trend to follow when inaugurating a new supermarket? How much room is reserved for the fresh produce department? How is it set up? How are the products arranged? Is there also local fruit and vegetables?
To answer these questions, we have attended the opening of a new supermarket in Savignano sul Rubicone (Forlì-Cesena).
The supermarket belongs to Conad (the National retailers' cooperative gathering 8 cooperatives including Cia) and it is owned by Filippo Lorenzini and wife Claudia Amodio. Lorenzo' grew up in a family of retailers - his mother and brother manage a Conad store in Cesena, while his father works in another store.
Wicker baskets near fruit displays
The store is completely new, so it was possible to organise the space according to Conad guidelines. Gabriele Motta is the supervisor of all fresh produce sections for Cia-Conad in central-northern Italy. "The current trend is to dedicate 10% of the total area to fresh produce. In this case, the area is actually larger and the arrangement makes the section seem even bigger."
A captivating display with contrasting colours.
The vegetable section covers over 120 metres, i.e. 10% of the total. If we also consider the space dedicated to dried fruit, vegan products and processed products, we can see how the area is actually quite big.
A wide rage of fruit in punnets.
Valentino Colantuono (in the photo), sales manager for Cia-Conad supervising stores in Emilia-Romagna, San Marino, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, explains that this choice has been made for a reason. "Every time we open a new supermarket, we give more importance to the fresh produce section. In case a store is renovated, we try to adapt the old structure to new trends, i.e. wide areas that are well-lit, welcoming and well-stocked."
Over 10% of the supermarket is dedicated to vegetables, fresh fruit and fresh-cut products.
"There must be a lot of choice to satisfy all types of clients. In addition, there must be special offer sections as well as those dedicated to Conad-branded products and to local produce."
According to Colantuono, the sales of dried fruit and fresh-cut and ready-to-eat products are increasing, and that is why a lot of room is dedicated to these products. "These type of sales are on the up, while consumption is constant for the fresh produce. We focus on captivating displays and a wide range of products available to push people to buy fruit and vegetables. Conad products are the majority, but we also reserve some room to local producers that comply with our quality parameters."
The vegan section near the fresh produce section.
Another section in the supermarket is the vegan one, placed near the fresh produce section. "Demand is continuously increasing. Our new stores will have a vegan section from now on and we will also try to adapt the old ones."