Wal-Mart Guarantees Fresh Produce in US Outlets

Wal-Mart has something new to offer its patrons across the Unites States. The largest seller of produce in the country has revealed that the company is implementing a number of changes to ensure that fruits and vegetables their patrons receive are of the highest quality. Wal-Mart is making changes in its operations, training, and sourcing. And a 100% money-back guarantee is given all customers if the produce they bring home from the retail store is below par.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. made the announcement about the new scheme on Monday. The company has been exerting extra effort in order to improve the quality of lettuce, bananas, and other fresh produce available on its aisles. Wal-Mart has stores in 27 countries and serves 10 countries through e-commerce sites. It employs more than 2.2 million associates from around the world.

Customer service guaranteed

Here is the current offer: If customers are not satisfied with their purchase, they don’t even need to return the produce. If they have the receipt they get a full refund, no questions asked. Executive Vice-President for Wal-mart US Jack Sinclair said that the reason behind this offer is that they are 100% sure that they offer only the highest quality vegetables and fruits at their stores and that customers will be satisfied with every purchase. Wal-Mart is intent on delivering its promise of affordable, high quality fruits and vegetables.

Berne H. Evans III, the Chairman of a produce supplier for Wal-mart, Sun Pacific said that Wal-mart has maintained its focus on providing high quality fruits and vegetables. Sun Pacific’s Cuties brand and Ripe and Easy Kiwis are, according to Evans, quite successful at Wal-mart.

Changes across the board

One of the changes that the retailer will be implementing is purchasing directly from growers farms so that fresh produce reaches store shelves more quickly. And the rationale behind this move is this. The shorter the transit, the longer the produce stays fresh in the consumers’ homes. Some of the other changes that are being implemented across the board are leveraging the company’s produce experts, trucking systems and distribution centers, and close monitoring of all its Neighborhood Markets and around 3, 400 Supercenters with weekly checks. These measures are already in place.

Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, has also launched Fresh Produce Schools. It is expanding its training programs to about 70,000 associates. These associates include store managers and they will be taught how to handle vegetables and fruits properly.

Long-term partnership with farmers

Produce experts hired by Wal-Mart are now working directly with growers where the company has offices that buy fresh produce from farmers. With associates out in the field, Wal-Mart can choose farmers who have the best produce possible. The company is committing to increase the sales of produce grown locally, doubling it by December 2015.

The commitments recently made by Wal-Mart in making healthier food for Americans have resulted to an excess of $2.3 billion in customer savings in the past two years on its fresh produce section alone.

Photo Credit: Wal-Mart Produce Section