It's time to get the melon working on how to use your melons.
The National Watermelon Promotion Board is inviting all retail chains, independent retailers and commissaries to submit entries to the 14th annual Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest.
More than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to top entrants, including $5,000 for the grand prize for winner, according to a news release. The second place winner will receive $2,500, third place will receive $1,000 and three honorable mentions will each receive $500. An additional incentive of a $15 gift card will be awarded to the first 25 entries.
The contest will start in July to honor National Watermelon Month and run through August. It’s used by the board to encourage and identify retailers showcasing watermelon’s benefits including health, value and versatility.
And more prizes will be awarded after a new partnership with Tajín for the 2022 season. The first 100 entries that include watermelon and Tajín seasonings in-store display submissions, or in mixed merchandising tactics in social, digital, print and web marketing, will each receive a $20 Amazon digital gift card.
Learn more: Watermelon commodity facts
The board’s partnership with Tajín will add to the chance for incentives for stores to enter and will increase the reach of the contest while offering retailers a cross-merchandising opportunity. Fresh watermelons and Tajín – a chili and lime seasoning – are a good complement, as the flavor profile of watermelons combined with the zing of Tajín creates a new eating experience for many consumers.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to ‘add a little zing’ to our contest with Tajín,” Juliemar Rosado, director of retail and international marketing, said in the release. “Watermelons and Tajín lend themselves to many flavors and cuisines.”
Cross-merchandising promotions help showcase more than one item, plus the benefits of both, she said.
To enter, retailers can submit an entry with photos, links, screenshots, etc., online, by email or by postal mail beginning July 8. All entries must be submitted or postmarked by midnight Eastern Time Sept. 14. Visit: http://watermelon.org/Retailers/Retail-Contest for more information, including official contest rules and entry form, or email [email protected].