Stay away from making bad decisions in 2026

Prevent making bad decisions in 2026 

What’s in store for your company in 2026? What will change and what won’t? How will it affect consumers, retailers, and suppliers? 

It will not be business as usual for companies during this new year. There are always uncertainties with every new budget year. All levels of the produce industry will be under more pressure and scrutiny than ever before to achieve the revenue numbers, and it will involve absolutely everyone.

Business always includes change. We are in another new marketing year that will take effect alongside changing consumer shopping habits. Like it or not, everyone is responsible for helping take their company to the next level. Company management should be focusing on new ways to accomplish sales growth in 2026. 

When a company makes operational changes, most people fear their normal routine will be changed. They are unaware of what lies ahead on the road of the unknown. Usually, workers must surrender something in the process of change and will not be able to return to their prior routines.

Think of what it could mean to your profits if you were 25 percent more effective than your competition by having a sales advantage over them. All you have to do is sell produce easier, faster, better, and smarter.

Increasing traffic does not necessarily increase sales. A number of people enter supermarkets and actually do not purchase anything. Why is that? This is probably due to a lack of consumer confidence. It could be out-of-stock items, high prices, or a lack of customer service.

Avoid making these costly business mistakes this year:

Cutting marketing dollars – Spend little and get little in return. It’s as simple as that. Failure to spend wisely on a marketing plan will end up being as an expensive mistake. Don’t cut advertising expenses to the point where it also cuts item value for customers.

Depend on customer loyalty – Customers are not handcuffed to you just because they shopped in your store for the last several years. They will switch to your competitor in a heartbeat if the values and services are better. In 2026, there is no such thing as guaranteed customer loyalty. 

Having a lackluster business plan – Don’t be creative! Don’t have a target to achieve! Don’t plan ahead! Don’t be competitive! Then sit back and see what happens.

Ignoring inventory assets – An excessive amount of produce in warehouses and stores will only lead to tied-up capital higher shrink. It makes no sense to climb over cases of product that just take up space.

Relying on word of mouth – Trusting word of mouth to get new customers could backfire on you. Word of mouth is usually dominated by negatives that customers experienced.

Allow costs to get out of control – Spending feverishly outside of your business plan and budget only eats into your profit line. Why weren’t those costs included in the plan in the first place?

Do what your competitors do – Being a follower only makes you one of the same rather than different. What plan do you want to use, yours or theirs?

Relying on gut feelings to make decisions – Shooting from the hip usually misses the target. Reviewing and analyzing a situation carefully, then making a wise decision will be more rewarding in the end. 

Overestimating sales and underestimating costs – There are nothing worse than thinking, hoping, and praying that everything is going to come out cake and ice cream. Stop those “pie-in-the-sky” sales projections and “make-believe” cost estimates.

Spending on new customers – This could be very costly. Cut your costs in half by concentrating on your most valuable possession — your current customer base. 

Using tape and glue strategies on slumping sales – Spending wildly on sudden big giveaway ads, slashed pricing or huge discounts may result in a sales boost. However, this is usually just a one-time quick fix.   

Being successful in any business is easy to do. It doesn’t take a genius. Simply follow your business plan, avoid cutting corners, don’t overspend, compete wisely, and visit your stores often. It’s that simple.