When the average customer strolls into Kroger to start checking off their grocery list or logs onto their digital app to begin filling their cart, they are looking for fresh produce at the best price. They’re not considering the planning that goes into supporting such a diverse and fresh produce assortment.

But it’s always on my mind. As a promotional planner for Kroger, I’m constantly watching weather patterns, customer insights, sales data and competitor pricing to plan the best possible selection at the best possible price for our customers.

My father spent his career in produce – many of those years with Kroger – so produce is in my blood. I saw how much he enjoyed his work with Kroger, so I knew it was the right company for me to apply the disciplined approach to problem solving that I learned from my six years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

One pillar of Restock Kroger is to Partner for Customer Value. But what does that mean? Our recently formed relationships with Ocado and Walgreens are great examples of how we’re bringing that to life.

In October of 2018, Kroger and Walgreens transformed 13 Northern Kentucky Walgreens stores to combine their health and beauty knowledge with Kroger’s grocery expertise and food authority to create a one-stop shopping experience that redefines how America shops for food and beauty staples. After years of planning for Kroger stores, I’ve recently been challenged to innovatively rethink our strategy to ensure the success of the Walgreens pilot and how we go to market through our Ocado partnership.

Because Walgreens is known for convenience and has their own unique offering, I’m challenged to choose produce that aligns with both their target customer and ours. Sharing drug-store sized space with Walgreens also means I must narrow down our assortment to a select group of products that match the grab-and-go concept. Adapting our displays to remain appealing in a smaller setting was another opportunity that we faced. I am excited about our recent expansion of the pilot to the Knoxville, Tennessee area and look forward to the additional insights we’ll gain.

When I’m away from the office, I enjoy playing golf with friends and spending time with my family – particularly my nephew, Lincoln.

I’m Anthony Dapice, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Promotional Planner, Produce.

Learn more about careers at Kroger and how you can join our team at jobs.kroger.com.