Los Angeles-based World Variety Produce, which ships under the Melissa’s label, plans to supplement its top-selling year-round melon, the Dominican Republic-sourced Charentais, with several other melons that are more season-specific, said Robert Schueller, the company’s director of media relations.

As summer kicks into high gear, retailers will look to tropicals and melons as a way to help their produce departments stand out. And technology and merchandising innovations from suppliers and industry organizations will make those efforts easier than ever.