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Berries

Berries mean big bucks when it comes to category marketing. According to research from the California Strawberry Commission, berries are the leading produce category when it comes to sales, bringing in $5.8 billion a year. That’s a big chunk of change from some little berries. Correctly marketing the category as a whole can drive big profits to your bottom line.

Commodities

Blackberries

Blueberries

Cranberries

Raspberries

Strawberries

Specialty Berries

Sales Strategies

Promote berries often. They are a natural draw for consumers looking for a healthy, tasty treat.
Remind consumers that berries make a great addition to desserts and other baked goods. Cross-merchandise berries with pie crusts, fillings, whipped cream, nuts, shortcake and chocolate dip.
Include berries in salad promotions during the summer to get consumers thinking of them as something other than a sweet treat.
Take advantage of the summer holidays of Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Taking a loss on berry price may boost your sales of other produce items by drawing consumers in the door.
Don’t forget to promote berries during the winter holidays, as well. With nearly year-round supplies of many berries, they can be a festive treat.
Promote the versatility of berries. They are great in breakfast, but they also work as a snack, side dish or dessert. Encourage consumers to eat berries all day long.
Boost sales of vegetables like kale and spinach by offering smoothie recipes that include those items along with berries.
Berries make a great addition to the lunch box. Encourage consumers to keep buying berries once summer is over by running back-to-school promotions. Kids love the sweet taste of berries and the fact that they can eat them with their fingers.
Berries freeze well, so encourage consumers to buy some for now and some to freeze for later.

Dynamic Displays

Focus on offering berries year-round, even if you can’t have all types year-round. Offer as many different types of berries as you can. Strawberries and blueberries have affordable supplies year-round.
Create displays outside the produce department. Consider one near the front of the store and one in the bakery. Remember to refrigerate them if they will be on display for very long.
Make your berry display a destination when berries are plentiful and lower-priced. Offer as many types of berries as possible and create a mix and match promotion.
Include recipes on your display that get consumers thinking about using berries in less common ways, such as in drinks and salads.
Berries are sweet, tasty and healthy, which makes them an easy sell to everyone in the family. Tout the health benefits of berries, especially to parents. Blueberries are considered a “superfood,” and all berries offer a sweet treat that helps the body. Blueberries are high in cancer-fighting antioxidants. Strawberries are a great source of folate. Blackberries are high in fiber and vitamin C and are one of the few fruits that contain vitamin E
Offer different size packages to suit different needs. The variety of package sizes also creates visual interest in your display.