VALENCIA, CA - Listen up, ghouls and goblins! The time for spooky and spiritual merchandising tactics is here, and consumers will soon be in search of all their favorite treats in the produce department. With a portfolio sure to please, Sunkist Growers recently shared a few thrilling strategies for driving citrus sales.

“Hold onto your broomsticks! While citrus might not be the first sweet treat that comes to mind when thinking of ways to celebrate Halloween, honoring the spooky season with festive produce snacks is not just a healthier alternative for the kiddos—it’s tasty too,” says Cassie Howard, Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing.

Beyond the holiday, Sunkist is eager to share easy-to-make citrus recipes that especially appeal to younger palates. According to findings from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll, three in five parents report that it’s hard to get their kids to eat a well-balanced diet, and 35 percent say their children aren’t consuming enough fruits and vegetables.

“At Sunkist, we have learned that the best method to increase consumption is to get the kids more involved in the preparation and cooking process,” Cassie advises. “For a fun, nostalgic, and healthier Halloween this year, Sunkist has collaborated with registered dieticians and food and lifestyle experts to create fresh, citrus-infused recipes perfect for entertaining friends and family on All Hallows’ Eve.”

The Halloween holiday brings the opportunity for creative merchandising through Halloween-themed snack board ideas and more kid-friendly recipes such as Citrus Galaxy Lemonade, Jack-o’-lantern Sorbet, or Lemon Cauldrons. To back these promotional strategies, Valencia oranges and Summer Marsh Ruby grapefruit are available now through October, in addition to year-round lemon availability.

“Eye-catching designs and engaging, interactive displays are the best tools to drive the citrus category. With consumers looking for real-time recipe inspiration, QR codes are a simple way to provide additional information on unique flavor profiles, nutritional benefits, and food origin traceability, serving as another touchpoint driving the path to purchase,” Cassie adds. “Retailers should also capitalize on Sunkist’s new customizable bin headers, which can be easily interchangeable, as they feature trending recipes and key varietal information.”

And Halloween merchandising isn’t just for the younger consumers! Since lemons pair so authentically well with alcohol, Sunkist’s lifestyle bins can be easily cross-promoted in the spirits section of stores, as the square bin messaging can be used to spark more utilization ideas within a small footprint.

“Turning lemons into lemonade can do more than just boost your spirits, as earlier this year, lemons were named the healthiest fruit in the world by a new study from William Paterson University. Oranges also cracked the top 10 list, and luckily for Sunkist—the longest-standing fresh citrus cooperative in the nation—we have lemons available year-round, and oranges are what put our name on the map,” Cassie notes. “The holiday season should be no exception when it comes to instilling healthy habits, with digital programs and social media campaigns continuing to brighten up consumers’ feeds with new and exciting ways to incorporate citrus into everyday life.”

More Halloween merchandising tips are on the way, so keep clicking on ANUK.

Sunkist Growers