We all know that consumers are seeking out citrus for the winter season, but how can buyers make sure the category is front and center at retail? Citrus leaders have leveraged their prowess this year to bring innovative merchandising materials to market, and you won’t want to miss out on these sales-driving opportunities. Take a look at what our industry friends had to say about leveraging citrus merchandising to elevate the produce aisle...
Luke Sears, President and Founder, LGS Specialty Sales
“Our 5 lb boxes are a great way to display the Darling Clementine® brand during the holiday season. Not only can you place the pallet directly on the store floor without having to use bins, but the boxes make for a large display to attract shoppers. The netting we use to package the clementines also allows consumers to have a visual of the fruit before purchasing.”
April Flowers, Marketing Director, Lone Star Citrus
“Many consumers might associate citrus with summertime, but some of the best citrus is available in the winter months, and our Texas grapefruit is no exception. The bright, sunny graphics on our bin work to inspire impulse purchases by offering customers a touch of sunshine during the sometimes dreary winter months. By showcasing the deep red inside of the fruit and emphasizing our Texas origins, the bin also draws in loyal Texas grapefruit fans who already know exactly what they want.”
John Chamberlain, Vice President of Marketing, Limoneira®
“Research from the National Institute of Health has shown that plant compounds in lemons known as Hesperidin and Diosmin have a number of health benefits, including the potential to lower cholesterol, mitigate against diabetes, and even the potential to prevent cancer.
Limoneira’s new Nature’s Pharmacy™ app helps the retailer and the consumer out by listing 57 health concerns or desired outcomes and cross tabulates 74 fruits and vegetables that contain 12 essential vitamins and 11 essential minerals. Shoppers select a concern or outcome, and the app generates foods in the produce aisle that can help them achieve their health goals. Nature’s Pharmacy and Take a Healthy Stand™ have delicious recipes and fun merchandising to help shoppers get healthy and retailers to drive sales.”
Christina Ward, Director of Global Brand Marketing, Sunkist Growers
“Sunkist is celebrating the return of the sweet and seedless Navel orange alongside the 20th anniversary of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This season, we created limited-edition How the Grinch Stole Christmas 10 lb cartons with matching secondary display bins for our very own holiday classic, the Sunkist Navel orange. The bright iconic graphics are great for displays, and the cartons are easily stackable. The citrus category grew by 20 percent as consumers prioritized their health and wellness when shopping for foods. Sunkist offers customizable, data-driven merchandising programs that open up promotional opportunities for retailers to educate shoppers on vitamin C importance, centered on healthy habits and major milestones.”
Monique Bienvenue, Director of Communications, Bee Sweet Citrus
“Current trends show that consumers are gravitating toward bagged citrus to accommodate their needs for fresh, reputable produce. Showcasing aesthetically pleasing grab-and-go snack options, such as Bee Sweet Citrus mandarins, in eye-catching display bins is an easy way to grab the attention of shoppers, all while building brand awareness.”
Rick Johnston, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, AC Foods
“We work with our retailers to ensure that citrus is merchandised in a prominent way. This is especially important for our Sumo Citrus® brand so that it can stand out among the sea of orange. We encourage our retailers to utilize our eye-catching purple boxes to build out large displays outside of the typical citrus footprint. This season, we are creating a retailer education app so our partners can be as engaged and excited about Sumo Citrus as we are. They are our biggest asset, from building out displays to helping us educate consumers in-store with their firsthand experience.”
