Práticas de gestão, desafios e estratégias no setor varejista de frutas, legumes e verduras (FLV)

Abstract

Management practices in the retailing of Fruits and Vegetables (F&V) constitute a field of substantial complexity and strategic relevance due to the high perishability and seasonality of these products. This study aimed to understand the operational mechanisms and the main difficulties faced by retailers in managing the F&V supply chain. The research adopted an approach that integrated a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), which mapped 144 articles and enabled the identification of academic trends on the topic, and a multiple case study conducted in three retail chains of different sizes, small, medium and large. Data collection was carried out through a semi-structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that the F&V sector has strategic importance because it drives customer traffic and influences daily sales volume, with operations conducted to balance price and quality. The most relevant challenges include high perishability, particularly for items such as tomatoes and bananas, a shortage of qualified labor and difficulties associated with supplier relationships. To reduce losses, retailers conduct rigorous daily inspections during product receiving and display, and they also repurpose off standard items for the production of derivative products, such as packaged salads or for donation. The study demonstrates that F&V management requires specific operational and logistics governance models that differ from traditional supply chain approaches, which reinforces the need for efficient coordination to ensure quality, reduce waste and foster sustainability in Brazilian retail. The results are expected to contribute to the advancement of national literature and support more assertive decision-making in F&V management.