Label

Label

n. A directly printed-on or applied printed indicator of a CASE or PRODUCT'S manufacturer, name, contents, UPC code and/or other necessary information, often with distinctive designs and branding graphics: “Check the label's UPC number.”

Label-Forward

Label-Forward

adv., adj. To position a PRODUCT on the SHELF so that the front of it's LABEL faces forward and is clearly visible to the CUSTOMER: “Always throw label-forward.”

NOTE: Most CUSTOMERS buy based on what they see. If they can't clearly see the label they know and are expecting to find, it inhibits their buying. Not good. Turn every label FACE forward. It's STORE policy, well worth it, and you'll get faster at it with continual practice.

Last-In, First-Out

Last-In, First-Out

adj., adv. The exact opposite of 100% effective STOCK ROTATION, and in the GROCERY universe, A Very Bad Thing, because the youngest (Last-In) ITEMS get selected before (First-Out) any older stock that is presumably closer to its EXPIRATION DATES. See also ROTATE. Compare FIFO (FIRST-IN, FIRST-OUT).

Lay-In

Lay-In

v. To force a slight excess of an ITEM to the SHELF by laying it back in the HOLE horizontally, within the gap created by the vertical asymmetry of a particular PRODUCT'S packaging: “Lay-in any extra ones and twos.” Also WEDGE. See also GO, HIDE, JAM, MAKE IT GO. —n. The result of such action: “That's an easy lay-in.”

NOTE: Candidates? Salad dressings, barbecue sauces, etc., where the necks are significantly narrower than the bottle's lower body and the bottle is well and tightly sealed.

Depending on geometry, you may get even more to GO by Laying-In one unit base-first, the next top-first, and then repeating the pattern, base-to-base and neck-to-neck so that necks interlock like opposing teeth on gears.

Caution: Don't lay-in anything where the top is loose, or there's any chance it will ever leak. For example, all those pump-action bottles of hand soaps? Uh-uh. Some things were never meant to be tipped on their side. Many dish washing soaps with pull-up stopper tops are likewise “iffy,” at best. Why risk a mess?

Watch out: Ensure that the weight of the Laid-In ITEMS doesn't force the supporting ITEMS outwards, causing everything to collapse into adjacent SPOTS. Not good. Only do Lay-Ins when the SHELF is already tightly packed. Whenever possible, seek to avoid Lay-Ins that protrude into the visible area towards the front of the SHELF.

LIFO

LIFO

adj., adv. See “LAST-IN, FIRST-OUT.”

Lift

Lift

n. 1. See HIGH-LIFT. 2. See JACK. —v. To raise up.

Lift-Cut

Lift-Cut

v. To CUT while lifting a portion of external packaging upward and away from the interior contents in order to avoid accidental damage. —n. Any cut so made. See also BASE-CUT, BOX CUTTER, H-CUT, PEEK-CUT, SHARK-CUT, STACK-CUT, TAPE-CUT, TOP-CUT, TRAY-CUT, WINDOW-CUT, X-CUT.

NOTE:

For BOXES cut the two side flap tapes first, then insert a finger off to the side and pull up to create a peaked rooftop effect, then—taking care to avoid your finger—cut the elevated taped center seam.

For plastic-bagged CASES first carefully poke a hole in the exterior wrapper in a place where the contents are not endangered, insert a finger and pull upwards to create a tent effect, then—always taking care to avoid your finger—cut down and away, carefully sliding your finger along to maintain an elevated separation between the wrapper and the package contents.

List

List

n. One or more “To-Do”-style lists which the GROCERY MANAGER may from time to time leave on his desk in the BACKROOM, and which enumerates a series of tasks he wants completed, usually in the order stated. Lists may be addressed to either ad-hoc teams or to individual STOCK CLERKS: “He left you a list.”

Load

Load

n. 1. The contents of the TRUCK that need to be THROWN, typically by NIGHT CREW: “We've got several extra runners of load.” 2. The entire contents of the STORE at any given time. Also INVENTORY.

Loading Dock

Loading Dock

n. Where the TRUCK backs up to the GATE in the RECEIVING DEPARTMENT to be loaded and unloaded. Also DOCK.

Lock

Lock

n. 1. A desirable trait, only characteristic of some cans, where the bottom rim has a smaller circumference than the top, thus permitting them to easily and securely nest one on top of another: “Locking cans are so much easier to stack!” 2. See RIM LOCK.

Locker

Locker

n. A small metal cubical in a stack or grid of similar units with a ventilated, hinged door which may be secured by a padlock, into which personal possessions may be put for the duration of your SHIFT. See also BREAK ROOM.

NOTE: There aren't enough Lockers for everyone, so you have to empty out your things when your SHIFT is over. After the posting of a warning notice, management will periodically cut off locks and remove contents of any Lockers that aren't voluntarily returned to the available pool.

Lock-Up

Lock-Up

n. An area kept under lock and KEY for anti-theft, security reasons: “That's in lock-up.”

Lot

Lot

n. 1. The main parking Lot in front of the STORE. 2. ITEMS with a common date of manufacture, expiration date, etc.

Lotto

Lotto

n. Any state-sponsored lottery. See also SCRATCHER.

NOTE: A popular way for many EMPLOYEES to gamble away some of what little money they've earned.

Lunch

Lunch

n. 1. For shifts over six hours, a mandatory half-hour BREAK, which, regardless of time of day, is always punched into the TIME CLOCK as “Meal.” 2. Not available to immediately respond to pages or instructions (except for dire emergencies) because of taking such a mandatory meal BREAK: “I'm on lunch.”