SALT LAKE CITY, UT- ReposiTrak announced the launch of Touchless Retail™, a new in-store merchandising solution with SPAR Group that gives brands access to professional merchandising services at a fixed rate that is typically about half the cost of traditional merchandising programs.

Touchless Retail is designed to make retail execution more affordable, predictable, and effective by combining an elite team of merchandising professionals with demand data-driven automated ordering. Together, the capabilities help ensure the right product is ordered, available, and properly presented on the shelf.

“Getting product into the store is only half the battle. If it isn’t on the shelf and properly merchandised, it can’t sell,” said Randy Fields, chairman and CEO of ReposiTrak, in the recent release. “Touchless Retail brings together demand-driven automated ordering and professional in-store execution so suppliers can improve availability and merchandising while typically spending about 50% less than they would with traditional merchandising programs.”

Touchless Retail can support a variety of in-store merchandising activities, including product placement, shelf replenishment, display maintenance, product rotation, and other retail execution needs.

The merchandising component is supported by automated ordering driven by actual demand data, helping suppliers better align replenishment with store-level sales activity. Rather than relying solely on scheduled visits or manual ordering decisions, Touchless Retail uses demand signals to support more precise replenishment while professional merchandisers help ensure available inventory makes it onto the shelf.

“Combining ReposiTrak’s best-in-class data capabilities with SPAR’s professional merchandising expertise creates a reliable, consistent approach to in-store execution that helps brands drive sales and improve performance,” said William Linnane, CEO of SPAR Group. “Touchless Retail delivers that execution through our most productive merchandisers—at a significantly more cost-effective rate.”

Importantly, suppliers do not need to participate in ReposiTrak Scan-Based Trading to use Touchless Retail. The merchandising and automated ordering capabilities can support suppliers independently, allowing brands to improve store-level execution without changing how they currently transact with retailers.

For suppliers that do participate in ReposiTrak’s Scan-Based Trading and other supply chain solutions, Touchless Retail can further connect store-level sales and inventory visibility with automated replenishment and professional in-store execution, creating a more coordinated approach to keeping products available and ready for shoppers.

The fixed-rate model provides an alternative to traditional merchandising programs where variable labor rates, travel expenses, and other charges can make the true cost of store visits difficult to predict. By significantly reducing the cost of professional merchandising and combining it with demand-driven ordering, Touchless Retail can make it economically practical for brands to increase store coverage while improving replenishment effectiveness.

For suppliers managing products across hundreds or thousands of retail locations, the combination can help reduce out-of-stocks, improve shelf availability, maintain displays, refresh inventory, and better align product flow with actual consumer demand.

CALIFORNIA, US - California celery markets showed mixed movement as fairly light to moderate demand continued across growing regions, according to the August 17th, 2026 USDA National FOB Report.

In the Salinas-Watsonville region, the market was slightly lower amid fairly light demand, with harvest curtailed due to market conditions. The USDA reported a wide range in price, quality, and condition. Cartons of 2 dozen, 2 1/2 dozen, and 3 dozen celery ranged from $10.50 to $18.75, mostly $13.65 to $16.75, with occasional higher pricing. Celery hearts in cartons of 18 film bags ranged from $13.50 to $20.90, mostly $14.50 to $17.75, with occasional higher pricing.

In Santa Maria, demand was moderate, and the market was about steady, with quality reported as generally good. Cartons of 2 dozen and 2 1/2 dozen celery ranged from $10.55 to $14.35, mostly $11.55 to $13.55, with occasional higher and lower pricing.

For organic celery from California’s South and Central District, demand was fairly light, and the market was about steady. Cartons of 2 dozen and 2 1/2 dozen ranged from $23 to $30, mostly $24 to $28, with occasional higher and lower pricing. Organic celery hearts in cartons of 18 film bags ranged from $25.95 to $33, mostly $26.95 to $30.95, with occasional higher and lower pricing.

Looking ahead, industry sources note that celery supplies could tighten as disease pressure affects yields. With planting volumes already pared back in line with seasonal demand, reduced yields could give the market some upward momentum heading into the fall holiday season.

Keep it locked on AndNowUKnow as we continue tracking market movements.

SALINAS, CA - California strawberry markets remained about steady as moderate demand continued across the Salinas-Watsonville and Santa Maria growing regions, according to the August 17th, 2026 USDA National FOB Report.

In the Salinas-Watsonville region, quality was reported as variable. Conventional medium strawberries packed in flats of eight 1-pound containers with lids ranged from $12 to $18, mostly $12 to $16, with a wide range in pricing and previous commitments higher. Organic strawberries in the same pack and size ranged from $18 to $24, mostly $20 to $22, with occasional lower pricing and previous commitments higher.

In Santa Maria, conventional medium strawberries packed in flats of eight 1-pound containers with lids ranged from $14 to $20, mostly $14 to $18. The USDA noted a wide range in pricing, with previous commitments higher. Old-crop fruit ranged from $8 to $12, with a few higher and lower.

Organic medium strawberries from Santa Maria in flats of eight 1-pound containers with lids ranged from $18 to $26, mostly $20 to $22, with a wide range in pricing.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest fresh produce market conditions as they develop.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company is pleased to announce Brian Piccola's promotion to Assistant General Manager of ALC Rochester.

Brian Piccola graduated from the University of Buffalo in 2007. He joined ALC Rochester as a Broker's Assistant and worked his way up through the ranks. Before his promotion, Brian had served as the office's Operations Manager for the past seven years.

Lenny Sciarappa, Vice President of Sales and Operations, stated in the recent release, "Brian has been a dedicated and hard-working employee at ALC. His effort and dedication have helped lay the foundation for our highly successful Rochester office, making his promotion to Assistant General Manager extremely well deserved. Thank you, Brian, for your loyalty and perseverance. We wish you continued success in your new role."

Todd Piccola, General Manager of ALC Rochester, said, "Through the highs and lows of the Rochester office, Brian has been a pillar of the team for over 15 years. He has been a driving force behind our growth and is highly deserving of the promotion to Assistant General Manager. We look forward to his continued contributions to the office and the company as we move forward."

Regarding his promotion, Brian shared, "I am very excited about this promotion and the opportunity it brings. I look forward to taking on increased leadership responsibilities, and I truly appreciate all the opportunities that the Allen Lund Company has provided for my family and me."

MISSION, TX - The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) celebrated another successful John McClung Memorial Golf Tournament on August 7, bringing members and industry partners together for a day on the course in McAllen, Texas.

While golf provides the backdrop, the tournament has become much more than a day on the course. It creates an informal setting where growers, shippers, importers, distributors, service providers, and industry partners can strengthen existing relationships, make new connections, and spend meaningful time with fellow members.

"Events like the John McClung Memorial Golf Tournament are an important part of what makes the TIPA community special," said Ed Bertaud of IFCO, TIPA’s Golf Committee Chair, in the recent release. "Our members do business together throughout the year, but opportunities like this allow them to spend time together in a completely different environment. The conversations and relationships built on the golf course are the best part about this event."

The continued popularity of the tournament is reflected in its annual sellout. Teams return each year not only for the competition, but for the opportunity to meet with colleagues from throughout the fresh produce supply chain.

For TIPA, that engagement is central to the association's mission. Throughout the year, TIPA creates opportunities for members to connect through industry events, educational programs, and other activities. Plus, this tournament is a great way to honor the memory of TIPA’s past president, John McClung, whose work brought together the domestic and international industries and reshaped the association to better serve the region.

TIPA extends its sincere appreciation to the companies whose sponsorship and support make the John McClung Memorial Golf Tournament possible. The commitment of these organizations allows TIPA to hold events that bring the industry together and strengthen the relationships at the heart of the Texas fresh produce community.

TIPA also thanks every golfer, volunteer, and industry partner who participated in this year's tournament and helped make it another memorable event.

Don’t miss TIPA’s next event, the TIPA-HFFVA Golf Tournament on September 25th in Houston, Texas.