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BANANAS
BANANAS:
STILL TOP BANANA!
It’s no secret that people love bananas, and it’s easy to see why the smile-inducing (and even smile-shaped) fruit is as popular as ever. Convenient, economical, packed with nutrients, naturally sweet, just the right size for kids’ lunches, and they come in their own biodegradable packaging – bananas are practically the perfect food. In fact, bananas are consistently one of the top-selling items sold across all items in grocery stores nationwide, with upwards of 90 percent household penetration, yet the average retail banana transaction size remains at roughly 2.5 pounds. What else can retailers do to give shoppers more of the sweet, yellow fruit they already love?
Savvy retailers can grow their banana sales by taking advantage of Dole’s customizable and turnkey promotional programs and materials – all aimed at increasing banana consumption. Through creative recipes, in-store signage and educational materials, digital and social support, and even greater messaging on sustainability and account- ability, Dole is driven to help its retailer partners sell more of America’s favorite fruit.
DOLE
MAXIMIZE YOUR BANANA SALES
• Sell bananas at every stage. Bananas are amazingly versatile at all stages of ripeness. Offering multiple-color stages appeals to broader shopper tastes and demo- graphics and may increase purchase size.
• Go beyond the Cavendish. The yellow Cavendish is still America’s favorite banana, but other exotic varieties such as DOLE® Red Bananas, Plantains and Baby Bananas are increasingly popular, and stocking these varieties is a great way to boost incremental banana sales.
• Offer Organic! Industry statistics prove that organic produce is now a mainstream product focus. Your customers may be actively looking for organic bananas, so it’s an important option to keep in stock. Dole started the organic banana movement almost 20 years ago and is still the world’s largest provider of fresh organic bananas. • Don’t limit bananas to the produce section. Secondary displays near the cereal aisle, dairy section or checkout can promote bananas as an impulse purchase or single-serve snack option.
• First impressions are important. Keeping your displays fully-stocked with bright, beautiful, unblem- ished DOLE® Bananas is the key to attracting consumers’ attention.
14 / MARCH 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
MASTERS OF MERCHANDISING