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GARLIC
MAURICE A AUERBACH, INC.
The garlic family offers an ample variety of profit potential, including red garlic, elephant garlic, peeled, packaged, braided and certified organic in addi- tion to the standard bulk. The category includes both fresh garlic and various processed and semi-processed items, such as whole peeled garlic, chopped garlic, minced garlic and a multitude of jarred products.
Garlic is available year-round, with supplies coming from California and outside of the United States, including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Spain and more recently, China.
DISPLAY IDEAS
• Building large, visible displays with a mix of whole bulbs, 5-bulb packaged garlic and jar garlic, as well as one or two SKUs of organic.
• Offer a full range of garlic and comple- mentary products. Since garlic is never consumed alone, every garlic sale means the sale of other items both in produce and other areas of the store.
• Secondary displays increase sales! Put garlic next to meat and poultry to promote as a rub and even next to baguettes in the bakery.
• Promote roasted garlic as a delicious and healthful alternative to butter. • Make sure garlic is always next to
ripe tomatoes, basil and cilantro to promote salsa, or create a make-your- own-pasta-sauce center with garlic, tomatoes and other ingredients.
• Promote garlic for decorative purposes. Braided garlic or loose garlic can be used to adorn holiday wreaths and other holiday decora- tions. Many items are sold in both bulk and consumer package sizes.
COMMUNCIATE EFFECTIVELY
Signage and POP material near garlic always should have a three-fold message:
• First, highlight variety items such as elephant garlic; this attracts attention to the overall garlic section and sparks consumer interest.
• Second, highlight health benefits of garlic: fat-free, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free and certified 100-percent organic are all watchwords that are permissible with garlic and attract the interest of health-oriented consumers.
• Third, provide recipes and usage ideas. Garlic sales directly relate to consumer use of recipes requiring garlic, so always have a recipe next to the garlic display.
GREAT USAGE SUGGESTIONS
In barbecue season, promote garlic in salads, marinades and rubs. Suggest consumers try cooking whole garlic on the barbecue and serve it whole as a butter substitute.
The Super Bowl or other major sporting events provide opportunities to focus promotions on the use of fresh garlic to make salsa with a kick.
Suggest ways to add flare to old favor- ites with garlic - garlic mashed potatoes or garlic in scrambled eggs.
Provide international recipes using garlic, such as Pan con Tomate, Chinese Garlic Stir Fry or Spinach Garlic Curry.
CARE AND HANDLING
Rotation is crucial since fresh garlic sitting out for long periods will tend to dry out.
Since skins of garlic tend to shed with handling, frequent attention to the display to keep it clean and dry will result in better sales.
Garlic should not be misted.
Store garlic in a cool, well-ventilated place and keep dry.
QUICK TIPS
Cross-merchandise garlic with a variety of produce items, featuring a simple recipe-of- the-week to give shoppers a new garlic usage weekly.
Promote unique varieties. Highlighting red or elephant garlic will draw the attention of shoppers looking to experiment.
Display convenience garlic items next to fresh garlic to motivate shoppers who may not want to peel and chop.
Promote garlic as a healthy alternative to butter and sea- sonings — an easy, healthy way to give food great flavor.
26 / MARCH 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
MASTERS OF MERCHANDISING
MAURICE A AUERBACH, INC.
117 Seaview Dr.
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 807.9292 • (888) AUERPAK www.auerpak.com