Multi-variety ads can boost Pink Lady sales momentum 

Multi-variety ads can boost the momentum of bulk Pink Lady apple promotions around Valentine’s Day, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, Wash.

“Bulk is the major opportunity for Pink Lady this year, and Valentine’s Day is a key timeframe to promote the variety,” Shales said in a news release. “This is one variety we’ve seen promotable volumes of compared to last year and makes a pretty-pink addition to the theme of the holiday.”

Currently, 46% of Pink Lady volume goes into a package and 53% is sold bulk, which is a higher SKU than other varieties. Nielsen scan data showed this apple grew 45% in both dollars and volumes from January-April 2022 when compared to the year prior, according to the release.

“This data shows us how retailers got behind Pink Lady last year and built really good momentum in the apple category,” Shales said in the release. “Keeping that momentum going through bulk promotions is going to bring attention to larger Pink Lady apple sizes so retailers can increase their volume during a shorter crop year.”

Nationally, Pink Lady apples make up about 6.5% of apple volumes sold and about 6.2% of category sales during the January-April timeframe, the release said. In the Midwest, Pink Lady accounts for 8.2% of apple category volume. In the South and West regions, it makes up 6% each and 5.2% in the Northeast, the release said. Promoting bulk will help retailers in the South, West and Northeast regions grow towards the U.S. average, Shales said in the release. 

“It’s all about making Pink Lady part of multi-variety promotions every month throughout the late winter and spring months,” Shales said in the release. “Since Pink Lady sits on the tart side of the flavor spectrum, it can help bridge the gap where you’d normally have granny smith promotions, and still provide another tart apple option. To boost the category, conventional and organic Cosmic Crisp, and organic fuji complement Pink Lady apple promotions.”
 
The Pink Lady’s long season makes it a regular feature in the top 10 apples, Shales said, and the variety performs well around the Valentine’s Day holiday. 

“We’re always happy to provide retailers with the POS they need to make the variety stand out,” Shales said in the release. “The quality and color of Pink Lady poises it to be a variety for promotion in the late winter and spring time. When looking for opportunities to grow and increase volume in the apple category this winter and spring, Pink Lady fits the bill.”