BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – This summer, Bako Sweet BB #:207680 hosted a retail merchandising contest that ran from May 20 to July 4. Produce managers from Sprouts BB #:168563 Colton Distribution Center were challenged to create the most creative displays using the brand’s organic sweet potato bags and Traeger grill-themed bin to promote sweet potato consumption during historically low sales months. As a result, stores that participated saw significant sales lift.
On average, stores that participated saw a 35% case per store per week lift and a total tonnage lift of 127%. Retailers that used the Traeger bin saw double the tonnage lift and a 6.1% increase in sales on average versus stores that did not use the bin.
Retail sales winners were awarded by weighing % tonnage growth and included:
- 1st Place, Traeger grill – Store 438, Dean Yoshinaga, West Covina, CA
- 2nd Place, BBQ tool set – Store 255, Scott Goodman, Woodland Hills, CA
- 3rd Place, Personalized BBQ cutting board – Store 231, Marc De Los Santos, Solana Beach, CA
Retail display winners were awarded based on effort/creativity and included:
- 1st Place, Yeti Cooler – Store 203, Kevin Noguez, San Marcos, CA
- 2nd Place, $100 Amazon gift card – Store 257, Nick Mcardle, Monrovia, CA
- 3rd Place, $50 Amazon gift card – Store 254, Jose Garcia, Hemet, CA
All other display contest participants received a $25 Amazon gift card for their participation.
“One of our goals this year was to increase sweet potato sales during the summer months,” said Chris Campion, senior sales manager – Colton at Sprouts. “We found this merchandising display extremely valuable in lifting sales and helping shoppers visualize using sweet potatoes on the grill.”
At each store, consumers were encouraged to participate in the brand’s Traeger grill giveaway online. This year’s winner, Michael Searle, was a shopper from San Marcos, CA.
“We created this contest to show how effective display bins can be when trying to increase sales,” said Alexandra Rae Molumby, director of marketing for Bako Sweet. “We look forward to seeing sales grow during the summer months as retailers see the effectiveness of using merchandising displays to drive demand.”
To learn more about the brand’s product offerings and future retail merchandising opportunities, visit bakosweet.com or contact the sales team at sales@countrysweetproduce.com or 661-858-1075.
About Bako Sweet
For more than 75 years Country Sweet Produce, grower-packer-shipper of consumer brand Bako Sweet, has been growing sweet potatoes in the country’s richest soil in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California, also known as “California’s Sweet Spot.” This land produces some of the best-tasting sweet potatoes on the market. Over the years, Bako Sweet has perfected the growing and harvesting process to ensure the highest quality and consistently-sized sweet potatoes. Today, Bako Sweet focuses on providing the largest variety of value-added, conveniently packaged sweet potatoes, as well as bulk sweet potatoes and specialty offerings. For more information about Bako Sweet, visit bakosweet.com.
