WENATCHEE, WA – Stemilt’s latest Fruit Tracker Fast Facts video analysis is finally here, and enterprising retailers can peruse the company’s findings and strategize to optimize apple sales going forward. The company’s analysis of U.S. apple category performance in December of 2016 features the latest set of Nielsen retail scan data.

Top performing apple varieties remained the unchanged from November 2016, with Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Red Delicious rounding out the top five. The top two—Gala and Honeycrisp—saw a significant volume increase, up 3.4 and 2.5 percent respectively, from the same timeframe last year.

“Volume increases on Honeycrisp and Gala tell us that promotions were in place on these key varieties in December,” said Brianna Shales, Stemilt’s Communications Manager, in a company press release. “With larger fruit size this year, bulk promotions must run frequently on top varieties. Missing even one multi-variety ad can result in a dip in apple category performance, and with a produce department contribution of nearly 7 percent, that’s not something retailers can afford to have happen.”

The data highlights the Central region’s exceptional apple performance—where roughly 7.3 percent of produce department sales come from apples. Throughout the U.S., on average, apples made up 6.7 percent of total produce department sales in December—up 0.3 percent from the same time a year prior.

Throughout the U.S., the average retail price for apples in December was $1.62 per pound. Bulk apples accounted for 62.9 percent of volume with an average retail of $1.74 per pound. Bags made up the remaining 37.1 percent and averaged $1.41 per pound at retail.

Three-pound and five-pound bags were the top sellers in the bagged apple category. Three-pound bags made up 68.2 percent of volume, followed by five-pound bags at 14.6 percent, six-pound bags at 7.4 percent, and two-pound bags 4.4 percent. Stemilt led the way, in the top two companies, in two different bag sizes, thanks to the company's popular Lil Snappers® three-pound pouch bags of kid-sized apples and its new five-pound Apple Lover packs. Both pouch bags are available in several varieties and are, according to the company, ideal for in-and-out promotions in the springtime.

“Spring is an important selling season for apples, and as it nears, retailers need to make sure plans are in place to keep every aspect of the category healthy. Promote bulk, bags, and organic while available to keep apple sales moving upwards,” added Shales.

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