Spudman July/August 2022 - 28

Retailers shine in 31st Annual Idaho
Potato Lovers display contest
For 31 years,
IDAHO POTATO
COMMISSION
Jamey Higham
President and CEO
retailers across the
country have been
building impressive
displays designed
to showcase the
Idaho potato during
a traditionally slow
sales period, Feb. 1
through April 15. The
Potato Lover's Month
Retail Display Contest
(PLM) is the largest
and longest-running
retail display contest in the country.
We know through research that test
stores with secondary
displays of Idaho russets
deliver a nearly 10 times
growth advantage, while
comparison stores with
no secondary display
achieve an average
category growth of
only 2.5%.
Our research is also
supported by direct
feedback we get from
produce managers.
This is a quote from
an IGA (Independent
Grocers Alliance)
produce manager
in Jasper, Indiana,
regarding his store's
participation in PLM,
" It was a very good way
to increase potato sales
in our department and create something
eye-catching for the customers. It was also
a good way to make customers check out
the rest of our department and our store in
general. " Another produce manager shared
that his store had an overall 15% increase in
sales, with people coming in specifically to
see the display.
While the opportunity for increased sales
First place winner in the 6-9 registers category
was IGA in Jasper, Indiana. Photo: IGA
Display at Martin's Country Market in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, first place
winter in the 10+ registers category. Photo: Martin's Country Market
winning displays, including a chance to win a
getaway to Key West, Florida.
Retail partners Hormel Real Bacon
is always an incentive for produce managers,
the opportunity to win cash and prizes adds
another level to the contest. This year,
retailers across the country took home more
than $150,000 in cash and prizes for their
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Spudman.com
Toppings and Fresh Gourmet Crispy Veggies
also got in on the act again. All displays were
required to include these popular potato
toppers in addition to fresh Idaho potatoes
(bag, bulk or both) with a clear label showing
the Idaho name and the " Grown in Idaho "
seal, and a clearly marked Idaho dehydrated
potato product.
To keep the playing field level, retailers
competed against other same-size stores
in one of three categories: 1-5 cash
registers, 6-9 cash registers or 10-plus
cash registers, with cash prizes ranging
from $1,500 for first place to $100 for
honorable mention.
Looking at the display photos submitted,
there's no doubt that significant time and
effort are spent planning, building and
maintaining the displays - making sure
the Idaho potatoes shine. It's also apparent
that each display is built with pride. There's
a reason the IPC PLM Display Contest has
been running continuously for 31 years -
it works. It's a win-win for the retailers and
the IPC.
B&T's Fresh Food Market in Millen, Georgia, won first place in the 1-5 registers category.
Photo: B&T's Fresh Food Market

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Spudman July/August 2022

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