Shark-Cut

Shark-Cut

v. To open a CASE or BOX by closely cutting three sides of the top using an upward diagonally-angled blade so that just the corner triangular bead of CARDBOARD joining the lid to the sides is separated or removed, and the interior of the CASE or BOX is just barely penetrated without touching any of the contents inside. So called because the tip of the BOX CUTTER BLADE is seen to move along the BOX'S upper edge just above or slightly below the surface, akin to a shark's fin cutting through water. —n. Any CUT so made. See also BASE-CUT, BOX CUTTER, H-CUT, LIFT-CUT, PEEK-CUT, STACK-CUT, TAPE-CUT, TOP-CUT, TRAY-CUT, WINDOW-CUT, X-CUT.

NOTE: A Shark-Cut is an angled variation of a regular TOP-CUT. Don't attempt one with a dull blade; it has to be new and sharp. Not the fastest (See X-CUT), but perhaps the best way to open difficult CASES that would otherwise not provide a nicely STACKABLE remnant if you followed the so-called “Easy Opening” method suggested on the packaging by the manufacturer.

Candidates? CASES of pudding and gelatin cups come to mind. Likewise some cake and brownie mixes, where the CASE is supposedly a DISPLAY unit. Yet, if you open the sides where they're glued, either the CASE falls apart, or stuff falls out the next time your CART goes over a bump. Or maybe, if you open that Zip tab on top, you have an awkward hole to deal with, and a not-so-great floppy lid.

Forget it. When you think there's going to be some leftover to go back into the BACK ROOM, cut your own lid and there's much less muss and fuss in the long run. The little bit of extra trouble can be well worth it.

Exceptions? For one, those small cases of Gerber® baby food in plastic twin-packs of plastic cups. The unglued sides fall open if you Shark-Cut the case. Problematic.

Stack-Cut

Stack-Cut

v. To make multiple BASE-CUTS all at once on a STACK of plastic-wrapped CASES containing CARDBOARD TRAYS, in order to save time. —n. Any such multiple cuts. See also BASE-CUT, BOX CUTTER, H-CUT, LIFT-CUT, PEEK-CUT, SHARK-CUT, TAPE-CUT, TOP-CUT, TRAY-CUT, WINDOW-CUT, X-CUT.

NOTE: Candidates? Stack-Cuts are most often used when THROWING LOAD, because, except for SPECIALS, the presumption is it will all GO. So, multiple, non-identical CASES containing jars of spaghetti sauce, jars of baby food, cans of cat or dog food, and so on are a pretty safe bet.

On the other hand, multiple identical CASES of any ITEM should be investigated before you cut! They are likely to be a SPECIAL, ON-SALE ITEM, where the extra CASES are to be held in reserve on the SPECIALS RUNNERS or STACKED OFF on the SALES WALL in the BACK ROOM in order to periodically replenish DISPLAYS and/or the SHELF.

So, your goal is to save time, yes, but it's also to keep all unused and partial CASES as intact as possible in order to minimize STORE DAMAGE while PRODUCT gets moved around. See also H-CUT.