WENATCHEE, WA - Crunchy red and golden leaves abound during the fall season over here in the States, much like Stemilt’s Artisan Organics™ apples and pears! The grower’s new crop of organic offerings is in peak season, and Stemilt is encouraging retailers to plan bulk promotions for its Artisan Organics to provide consumers a delightful eating experience.

“As we near the end of apple harvest in Washington, we are looking at great flavors, condition, and a range of sizing on organic apples and pears. The shifting consumer behavior during COVID-19 has led to a surge in packaged apples and pears, but bulk is still the primary volume driver for the category and needs extra attention through promotion as we head into the late fall and winter months,” explained Senior Marketing Manager Brianna Shales.

Bulk helps retailers sell per pound compared to loose, the release notes. When bulk offerings are a part of a robust promotion plan, it is a proven way to boost volumes and increase sales dollars. To support bulk organic sales, retailers need to set up multi-variety ads for both organic apples and pears, featuring three to five apple varieties and up to three pear varieties. Retailers who plan on big, organic-focused promotions could feature additional varieties during a short timeframe.

“To push bulk movement, it is important that retailers carry premium varieties with great flavor,” stated Shales. “And our fruit will do that. The organic category continues to grow, and it is driven by millennials and younger generations who seek modern flavors the whole family can enjoy.”

Stemilt offers a wide range of organic apples, including Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Piñata®, Pink Lady®, and SweeTango® apples. Stemilt’s recent analysis of Nielsen scan data shows that organic apples make up 10 percent of retail sales on apples on average across the U.S., but best-in-class organic retailers skew higher, often in the 15 percent range.

“Organics are a dollar driver in the market, and apples contribute to that share,” said Shales. “Stemilt understands the importance of carrying organic varieties that produce great eating results, which is why we are so focused on flavor and quality. We carry the same philosophy with our Artisan Organics™ pears.”

Stemilt grows a wide variety of organic pears including Bartlett, Bosc, Concorde, d’Anjou, and Red d’Anjou. Shales suggests that retailers should run organic pears on promotion now while they’re in season.

“We’re a flavor house, and we do all the right things to ensure flavor comes when eating our organic pears because consumers keep coming back for more,” explained Shales. “A great way to promote both organic bulk apples and pears is through our tote bag programs.”

The Farm + Famous Tote Bag program features a grab-and-go pack to help sell bulk apples. The paper tote bag is packed in a display-ready Euro with an earthy design. It can be instantly displayed at retail while still meeting the consumer demand for sustainable packaging. Each Euro holds eight 4-lb bags that are made from 100 percent recyclable material. Retailers will use the PLU sticker on the fruit to ring up the bag.

“The Farm + Famous Tote Bag reduces the need for handling at retail, which helps the consumer [feel] comfortable with their purchase,” Shales commented. “For pears, we offer the same option, just in our random weight plastic tote bag, which weighs around 4 lbs. Both tote bag pack options satisfy the need for convenience without sacrificing quality.”

With store trip frequency down and convenient grab-and-go packed options increasing, retailers should use the various vehicles Stemilt offers to boost their organic category and delight their consumers.

“When retailers carry Stemilt’s Artisan Organics apples and pears, all they need to do is set up an eye-catching display that consumers just can’t resist,” said Shales. “The quality and flavor do the rest.”

For more ways to drive traffic to the organic section, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Stemilt