Grocery Store Fruit Display Comparisons - Hayden Hawes

Grocery Store Fruit Display Comparisons - Hayden Hawes

   I have decided to compare fruit and other fresh produce displays in both Publix and The Fresh Market. Both supermarkets are popular in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area and offer a wide variety of produce. However, the markets have slightly different consumers. I have compared and contrasted the supermarkets and their displays below.

Publix

12500 W Sunrise Blvd

Sunrise, FL 33323

   Publix Supermarket in Sunrise, FL, offered consumers a wide variety of fresh fruit and other produce on August 7th, 2023. I will note that there seemed to be a few empty display shelves, possibly due to the current growing season, supply chain issues, consumer demand, or any other factors or combination thereof.

  Publix also offered a surprising number of USDA-certified organic products in addition to conventionally raised products. I expected to see more "organic" produce at The Fresh Market, but I was surprised at the number of organic offerings. A location with produce that was "misted" with water could also be found in the store.

   Additionally, Publix had a prominent display for peaches and nectarines that were "in season now." Pictures of the displays can be viewed below.

Above: View of many pre-bagged varieties of apples.

Above: Empty produce display shelf.

Above: Bananas (organic and non-organic) on display.

Above: Wider variety of individual (not pre-bagged) apples on display.

Above: Peaches and Nectarines displayed prominently with "in season now" advertisement.

Above: Produce display with a water mister. I captured this photo while the produce was being misted.

Above: many chopped and diced fruits were displayed in a refrigerated case.

Above: A wide variety of produce available in Publix.

Above: An additional display shelf for produce in Publix.

The Fresh Market
12171 W Sunrise Blvd
Plantation, FL 33323

   The Fresh Market offered a smaller selection of fruits and other produce compared to Publix. However, the store is considerably smaller and serves a niche market. In my experience, most shoppers at The Fresh Market often look for commodities, hard-to-find food products, or desire what they feel is a more organic and natural alternative to food products at other grocery stores.

   I noticed a few "Fresh from Florida" labels (associated with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) on my August 7th, 2023, trip. However, I should note that I usually see these labels at Publix as well (but I did not witness them during my Publix trip on the same day).

   Below I have highlighted a few images from my trip to The Fresh Market.

Above: Produce display with a water mister.

Above: Plum, Peach, Kiwi, and Nectarine display with the marketing of "Summertime is stone fruit season."

Above: A variety of melons and other produce.

Above: Butternut squash with the "Fresh from Florida" logo nearby. Logo placement does not specify which products are products of Florida.

Conclusion:

While Publix offers a more extensive variety of fruit and other fresh produce, The Fresh Market does a great job of marketing their produce as well. The Fresh Market did not have any empty display shelves, unlike Publix. Furthermore, both supermarkets have water misters for select produce, advertise products in-season, and typically advertise products that are "Fresh from Florida." -Hayden Hawes.