Yellow is the first color that the human eye registers, and compared with other produce, sales reflect that.
But don't take it for granted that lemons are a popular produce purchase: The upswing in citrus sales from immunity-boost-seeking pandemic shoppers has settled a bit.
The Packer's Fresh Trends 2023 report showed 39% of consumers make fresh lemon purchases, down from 41% in Fresh Trends 2022 and 43% in the 2021 consumer survey.
Also note that higher-income consumers were frequent purchasers of lemons, with 47% of those
earning more than $100,000 a year indicating lemon purchases, much higher than the 31% for those earning under $25,000 a year.
Lime and lemon display at Standard Market, Westmont, Ill. Photo: Amy Sowder
Want to boost sales with all shoppers? Make those merchandising displays pop.
Careful color blocking — placing lemons next to a starkly contrasting color — is practically a prerequisite to a good produce department.
Lemon display at Morton Williams Supermarket in New York City. Photo: Amy Sowder
Stack beautiful pyramids, cross-merchandise with other produce and food to create meal ideas and solutions, such as lemon with artichokes and asparagus, in smoothies, in the poultry and seafood departments and with baking items and other fruit.
Learn on PMG: lemons, the commodity
An entry in the Produce Artist Award Series. Photo: Courtesy of Brian Dey of Four Seasons Produce
We know you or your colleagues create great displays. Show us. The next merchandising contest of PMG's seasonal Produce Artist Award Series features fall produce, so take your photos now and email them to [email protected]. Include a name, job title, store, city and state to win an Amazon gift card, PMG schwag and call-outs across our media platforms, plus inspiration for our industry to do better.