Apple marketers have been retailers to prepare for some big fruit at promotable prices this spring. Availability of 64s, 56s and even some 48s won't be out of the ordinary, from what I've heard at the past few trade shows.
Well, at HEB's Central Market a few weeks ago, I came across a display of the largest apples I've ever seen. This one apple was more than a pound. It was bigger than my toddler's head.
What do big apples mean for retailers?
It's an opportunity, marketers say. Most consumers buy apples by the piece, not by weight, so when they're grabbing four 64s instead of four 72s, you're selling them about 5 ounces more per ring. That's about a quarter of a pound. For an apple that's $1.99 a pound, you're getting around another 50 cents.
And that's just trading up one size. Trade up from an 80 to a 64, and you're selling about 8 ounces more per ring when the consumer buys four apples. For a $1.99 a pound apple, that's about another dollar in the basket.
Not too shabby.
I don't know too many consumers willing to take on the challenge of a 36-count apple though…
We're adventurous like that.
