Interviews

After a career in general merchandising, the retail veteran brings a fresh lens to produce at Sprouts — prioritizing freshness, innovation, and long-term supplier alignment.

The leader shares how the industry can drive growth by reshaping consumer perceptions, leaning into blueberries’ potential as a healthy snack staple, and increasing repeat purchases through stronger category positioning and targeted marketing that makes the fruit something consumers crave.

Company founder Lori Taylor keeps the message simple but loud and clear.

The industry veteran discusses the key trends he anticipates will shape the produce sector in the coming years, how he expects supplier-grocer relationships to evolve, and the advice he would offer to fruit and vegetable growers and distributors looking to partner with Target.

Alán Ricardo Aguirre Ibarra, a pioneer in the Mexican table grape industry and co-founder of major grower Grupo Alta — whose U.S. marketing arm is Divine Flavor — discusses the company’s rise to prominence, trends in the sector, and the future of premium grape production.