Supermarket Perimeter - May 2020 - 66

Produce: Apples & pears

Apples often fall into current dieting trends, he said, and are
frequently used as a main ingredient in juicing recipes. Organic apples
are high on an organic shopper's shopping list; apples are great for a
convenient grab-and-go item.
"We have seen a huge surge in demand for apples as consumers
are looking for items that will stay fresh in their refrigerator during
mandated COVID-19 quarantines," Sinks said.
Catlett of Okanagan Specialty Fruits said red-colored varieties are
doing well in the apple space. However, during taste comparisons that
the company performed last year, consumers preferred fresh Arctic
Golden apple slices to red, sweet, fresh apple slices of the leading
national sliced apple brand and regionally available brands.
"The color of the fruit doesn't tell the whole story," she said.
"Sustainability is the driver in our creation of Arctic apples. We believe
that Artic apple slices are the key to 'no more half-eaten apples,' thereby
reducing food waste."
The non-browning feature of Arctic apples also provides a
sustainable solution for the entire supply chain thanks to the longer
shelf life, Catlett said.
"Arctic apples stay fresh 28 days after they are sliced, providing more
time and less food waste for the supply chain and consumers."

Apple promotions

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Pear promotions
Roby of Domex Superfresh Growers said anjous were the top pear in
sales in the last four weeks ending Feb. 22.
"We suggest promoting anjou pears, as volume is available and the
domestic bartlett crop is finished for the year," he said.
Promote packaged pears, as customer demand continues to grow,
Roby said. "It will be interesting to keep an eye on this trend through the
current world health crisis," he added.
There are plenty of promotional opportunities for bagged pears.
"Bagged pear volume was up 7% in February," Roby said. "Pears are
an impulse purchase item. Having bagged pears at the front of produce
will increase purchases."
Stemilt's Rushing Rivers pears come from the Entiat River Valley and
Wenatchee River Valley, said Shales.
"These river valleys run parallel to each other and are surrounded
by mountains that keep pears cooler and keep air flowing through the
orchard," she added. "They are the best locales for pears!"
Shales suggested that like apples, multi-variety ads are the best way
to promote pears.
"It's really important to run them regularly (at least monthly) and to
keep premium varieties at a different price point from everyday items,"
she said. "An ad that reaches 4-6 varieties at once can help volume and
dollars trend up!"
As for cross-merchandising, Shales said pears pair well with walnuts
and peanut butter, with cheese and wine as classic options.
"Really, any nutrient-dense food that can pair with pears would be a
fun tie-in to make in produce if space allows," she concluded.

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When it comes to promoting apples, multi-variety ads have proven
most successful, especially when honeycrisp is included, said Sinks of
Sage Fruit.
"The entire apple category will see a lift when several varieties are
promoted together," he said. "But if only one variety is promoted, the
majority of consumers will key in on the item that's on sale and leave
the others on the shelf."
In addition to ad activity, Sage Fruit partners with retailers to help
them with instore promotions to maximize sales.
"Apples should be included in back-to-school, New Year's resolution
healthy eating, organic and holiday ads," Sinks said. "Sage Fruit often
collaborates with retailers to come up with in-store and online
promotional materials to help them maximize sales."
Sinks recommended cross-promotional opportunities for apples
including caramel, peanut butter and ingredients for juicing and
apple pie.
Catlett of Okanagan Specialty Fruits said the company's portfolio
is focused strictly on pre-sliced apples (and its dried apple snacks
- ApBitz).
"We recommend that retailers use our slices where perhaps they have
not been able to use fresh apple slices before, such as their retail freshcut program," she said. "With Arctic apple slices, retailers do not have to
add costly antioxidants to slow down the browning."
"By cross-promoting different foods through food pairings, retailers
can ideate for consumers so they can grab and go," Catlett continued.
"Pair Arctic apple slices with nuts, spreads, cheeses, crackers and a
bottle of wine for a snack or appetizer idea."
She added that it's also interesting to note the company's fry-cut
ApBitz snacks came from its desire to reduce waste and use all the
Arctic apples regardless of size or shape. ApBitz, Catlett said, delivers on
all counts.

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