WENATCHEE, Wash. – While PMA Fresh Summit is taking a virtual approach this year, don’t forget to stop by and chat with Stemilt BB #:113654 to learn about their multitude of package options that can help retailers elevate their apple and pear categories.
“Stemilt’s mission is to cultivate people and delight consumers, and our apple and pear bags do just that,” explains Brianna Shales, senior marketing manager at Stemilt. “All of our bags are grab-and-go opportunities that help sell large volumes of apples and pears.”
With the current COVID-19 environment, Shales shares that bags are ideal for consumers. Not only are they suitable for online orders and pick-up formats, but larger bag sizes fit the “stock-up” mindset since store trip frequency is down. Bags also reduce the need to handle fruit at retail, so consumers can purchase Stemilt’s World Famous apples and pears with confidence.
“Consumer’s habits are constantly changing and evolving and our team has done an impeccable job adapting to provide shoppers with packaging options that satisfy their needs,” explains Shales.
Stemilt’s newest bag program, the Farm + Famous Tote Bag, displays instantly at retail and meets consumer demand for sustainable packaging. To ring up the fruit, the cashier will use PLU stickers on the apples to ring up the bag. It is packed in a display-ready Euro box with an earthy design that highlights the important work farmers do. Each bag carries about 4lbs of apples and there are 8 bags in each Euro.
“The process to check out the Farm + Famous Tote Bag is easy and consumers will enjoy that the bag is 100% recyclable,” explains Shales. “Packaged apples made up 38% of the apple category dollars and 45% of apple volume in the latest Nielsen retail data set in the summer months. Bags are in and retailers need to take advantage of Stemilt’s numerous packaging options for category success.”
Another bag option that provides opportunity for the retailer includes Lil Snappers kid size fruit. Lil Snappers kid size fruit is a complete lineup of apples, pears and organics that markets intent to parents buying healthy snacks for their kids. They are available in 3lb. pouch bags, 2lb. for organic pears, which is an ideal size for families and their store trip frequency. This package size lets retailers set a good price and drives more volume than smaller pouch bag sizes.
“Lil Snappers is a successful brand for retailers,” explains Shales. “It is an easy, grab-and-go pack with a handle. The bag stands on its own and has a fun design that is impossible to miss.”
Stemilt packs many sought-after varieties under the Lil Snappers brand, including Fuji and Honeycrisp apples, and Bartlett and Red Pears. These varieties are available organically as well.
Stemilt also offers large apple and pear bag sizes, like the Apple Lover 5lb. pouch bag and the Rushing Rivers 4lb. and 5lb. pouch bag. The Apple Lover pack includes a wide range of varieties including Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Piñata, and Pink Lady. The organic 5lb. Apple Lover bag includes Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith and Piñata.
Shales also suggests also carrying packaged pears as they can be big category boosters. The 4lb. Rushing Rivers pack includes conventional Red d’Anjou and Bartlett pears, and organic d’Anjou and Bartlett pears. The 5lb. Rushing Rivers bag packs conventional varieties like Bartlett, d’Anjou, Bosc, and Concorde pears. Bartlett, Bosc, and d’Anjou pears are also available organically.
“Both of these packaged options are designed for heavy apple and pear users and considered big ring items for the retailer,” explains Shales. “In fact, packaged pears make up 18% of the pear category for the total U.S. but best-in-class pear retailers will have a much higher bag to bulk ratio.”
Shales explains that retailers who carry package apples and pears from Stemilt offer convenience and assurance to the shopper, which is more important than ever during these unprecedented times. Retailers will have happy consumers, which result in successful category numbers.
“Consumers are looking for healthy produce options they can buy with confidence every time,” explains Shales. “And they get that when they purchase Stemilt’s World Famous apples and pears.”
About Stemilt
Stemilt is a family-owned grower, packer, and shipper of tree fruit. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt’s mission is to cultivate people and delight consumers with its World Famous Fruits. Stemilt is a leader in sweet cherries and organic tree fruits, and a key supplier of apples and pears. The company stewards an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible business through its Responsible Choice program, which has been in place since 1989.
For more information about Stemilt, visit www.stemilt.com.
