WENATCHEE, WA - The competition among new and traditional apple varieties continues to be an area of exploration and development, with those leading-edge companies on the front lines of fresh fruit driving the discussion. Recently, CMI Orchards unveiled a study demonstrating the performance of its Washington-grown EverCrisp® apples versus another well-known variety.

“Results showed 90 percent of participants favored EverCrisp to its legacy variety, with 18 out of 20 consumers preferring its flavor and texture. We knew EverCrisp would shine, though we didn’t expect such overwhelming evidence in support of targeting sweet apple buyers to drive trial of EverCrisp,” said Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing.

Bohm also noted that the data highlights a significant opportunity for retailers to capture incremental dollars and earn repeat rings with EverCrisp.

“The highly-rated sweetness and juiciness of EverCrisp make it a standout choice. The study results showed that it scored 31 percent ahead in flavor and rated 19 percent better in texture, confirming its status as an ideal upsell item,” she explained.

Bohm shared that CMI has custom tools retailers can use to lure consumers to trial new flavors, including a “Like Fuji? You’ll LOVE EverCrisp” signage campaign.

“EverCrisp is one of the sweetest and juiciest varieties we grow, and its long shelf-life prolongs freshness, reducing waste and maximizing sales—offering both excellent flavor for shoppers and practical benefits for retailers,” commented Loren Foss, Vice President of Business Strategy. “The demand for high-flavor apples remains strong, making EverCrisp a prime candidate for premium placement in stores. EverCrisp apples received a 71 percent approval rating for flavor and an 87 percent approval rating for texture, highlighting the opportunity to trade shoppers up from core to premium branded apples to capture those higher rings at the register.”

Foss added that additional promotional tactics, like sales contests–with rewards ranging from cash prizes to trips to Washington State—reward top sales performance and can be customized for each participating store.

“We're excited to partner with retailers to showcase the exceptional quality of EverCrisp,” concluded Bohm. “With its delicious flavor, long shelf-life, and the Washington advantage, EverCrisp is the perfect apple to boost your sales and satisfy your customers.”

Continue reading AndNowUKnow to stay up-to-date on strategies for boosting sales and driving growth in the competitive apple market.