Face

Face

n. As defined by the RESET TEAM'S PLAN-O-GRAM, the front-most rank of packages of any single PRODUCT, oriented side-by-side on the SHELF and extending for the full width of the ITEM'S given HOLE: “This should be a 3-Face.” —v. See BLOCK: “Face it off.”

NOTE: If you're ever in doubt, the Face count is printed on every ITEM'S SHELF TAG.

The smallest is a 1-Face, for ITEMS arranged with one in front and the rest straight behind it in a single file. Such 1-Faces are no particular problem for bigger ITEMS like, say, cake mixes. However, when it comes to small things like tiny cans of cat food or feather-light BOXES of flavored gelatin, oh, baby! A 1-Face can really test your patience.

What to do? One good survival tip, when things are really tight, is to take a neighboring ITEM out—temporarily—before you try to put your ITEM in. This can make an impossibly small HOLE at least big enough for you to fit in your hand and arm, should you need to, say, dig into the back to right and STACK PRODUCT that's tipped over. Once you've got things back under control, you can then slide any neighboring ITEM(S) you earlier removed back into their proper position(s).

TIP: Save Face. Tight squeeze or awkward angle? Save your nerves and PRODUCT too. Before you accidentally knock anything over, take out any potentially endangered ITEMS next to the SPOT you're working and set them aside—e.g., on your CART. Finish your THROW, and then put the neighbors back safe and sound.

TIP: Keep a Straight Face. Especially when building DISPLAYS for the FAST-WALL or EVZ, but also for END-CAPS and WINGS, make sure that what you do lines up neatly with the DISPLAY(S) to either side. The idea is for all DISPLAYS in a series to line up in a single, long, straight FACE, and for neighboring DISPLAYS such as END-CAPS and WINGS to likewise be neatly aligned.

TIP: Get Pushy. Never take the SHELF at FACE value. Gently push back on the ITEMS in front to see if the HOLE will TAKE more—especially for things like cake and brownie mixes, where you can't see past the 1- or 2-FACED BLOCK.

Face-Block

Face-Block

n. See WALL-BLOCK.

Fast-Wall

Fast-Wall

n. A long, contiguous series of featured SALES DISPLAYS that include BACKDROPS at the very front of the STORE, just inside the main entrance. VENDORS pay a fee to the STORE for SLOTS in this special, “See me first” area.

FE

FE

adj. “Front End,” as in the GROCERY MANAGER'S notation of “FE-2” to indicate “A DISPLAY at the Front End of AISLE 2.” See FRONT2. Contrast BACK END, BE.

FIFO

FIFO

adj., adv. See “FIRST-IN, FIRST-OUT,” below.

First-In, First-Out

First-In, First-Out

adj., adv. The ideal of 100% effective STOCK ROTATION, and in the GROCERY universe, A Very Good Thing, because the oldest (First-In) ITEMS get selected before (First-Out) any newer stock that presumably has more distant EXPIRATION DATES. See also ROTATE. Compare LIFO (LAST-IN, FIRST-OUT).

Flag

Flag

n. See DANGLER.

Float

Float

n. See RUNNER.

Flood Gate

Flood Gates:
Door (left), & Dock.

Flood Gate

n. A metal barrier which may be positioned within a matching receptacle integrated into the frame of a GATE or door and pressurized in order to create a tight seal for the purposes of keeping flood waters out of the STORE, and thereby protecting property and INVENTORY.

NOTE: Yes, there have been occasions when I've seen these things being used. Once, the flood waters from the creek behind the STORE completely covered at least one car left in the back LOT, and finally crested just an inch or two below the lip of the DOCK. Too close for comfort.

Floor

Floor

n. See SALES FLOOR: “Don't take power jacks out onto the floor.”

Floor-Sticker Ad

Floor-Sticker Ad

n. A usually fairly large and colorful advertisement that, similar to a decal, is affixed to the FLOOR and people walk over.

NOTE: These seem to be always placed in front of the advertised ITEM'S HOLE on the SHELF. Some are multi-part. If they aren't laid down properly, there may be air bubbles under portions of the ad. These can make a popping sound when you roll your CART over them, perhaps causing you to think that something dropped.

Flyer

Flyer

n. A printed multi-page advertisement touting weekly SPECIALS, and typically inserted by the local newspaper publisher into all copies of the Sunday paper, as well as supplied in STACKS in the STORE LOBBY or at the main entrance. Also CIRCULAR, INSERT. See also SPECIAL.

Front

Front

n. 1. The FAST-WALL and EVZ: “Remember to block the front.” 2. The end of any AISLE closest to the checkout registers: “That's on the left at the front of aisle 3.” Also TOP. 3. See FACE.

Front-End

Front-End

n. 1. The DEPARTMENT and/or MANAGER responsible for all checkout cashiers: “Who's on front-end today?” 2. See FRONT1. 3. The side of the STORE closest to the front entrance.

Full Build

Full Build

n. See SOLID. E.g., When setting up a new DISPLAY in a SLOT in the FAST-WALL or EVZ, but more often in the case of an END-CAP or WING: “Do a full build.”

Full-Time

Full-Time

n. An EMPLOYEE who is guaranteed 40 hours per week, and receives full benefits. Contrast PART-TIME.

NOTE: You can easily recognize Full-Timers because they all have gold anodized BADGES. PART-TIMERS' BADGES have a plain white background.