BAKERSFIELD, CA - March marks a prime time to capture sales across many fresh produce categories, and sweet potatoes are at the top of that list. With a change of seasons just around the corner, I touched base with Bako Sweet® on its sweet potato solutions for retail partners and what customers have to look forward to as spring and Easter drive consumers to the produce department.

“Retailers should focus on innovative methods to engage with shoppers and boost sales of Easter ingredients like sweet potatoes. Leveraging digital ads and eye-catching merchandising bins can effectively create touchpoints with customers, serving as valuable reminders to highlight key products,” Susan Noritake, Director of Sales, shares with me. “To elevate the experience, consider presenting items in a playful manner, like incorporating Bako Sweet Single Sweets into Easter baskets, as their resemblance to eggs adds a whimsical touch.”

Teasing the palate is also a great way to drive demand. Consider integrating QR codes featuring recipes for items like Bako Sweet’s Sweet Potato Hummus, alongside a vibrant display showcasing all necessary ingredients. Cross-merchandising enables shoppers to make convenient impulse purchases.

Making sweet potatoes part of the consumer’s every day is baked into the strategy for Bako Sweet, bringing a host of solutions and best practices to elevate the category.

“We advise retailers to ensure all Easter displays are prepared by mid-March to capitalize on early shopper decisions leading up to the holiday. Effective displays are crucial for enhancing the category. Ensuring ample product availability and presenting it thoughtfully can be the deciding factor between making a sale or not. We consistently advise our customers to leverage their store furniture and shippers to enhance the visual attractiveness of their sweet potato offerings,” Susan details. “We also employ an omnichannel strategy to engage with shoppers across various marketing channels, promoting impulse purchases.”

Last, but far from least, Bako Sweet has observed that implementing a well-planned influencer program effectively engages online audiences and reinforces the company’s Sweeten Your Everyday campaign, illustrating how to seamlessly integrate Bako Sweet into daily meals and snacks.

“We've noticed consumers are particularly drawn to several key trends, all of which can be incorporated into Easter displays and recipe suggestions both online and in-store. Air fryer recipes, breakfast options for Easter brunch, Mediterranean Diet-inspired dishes, and colorful recipes are currently trending,” Susan reveals. “Consequently, sharing recipes like our Mediterranean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls on social media or in-store can serve as great inspirations for individuals in the weeks leading up to Easter.

To further help capture sales, Bako Sweet offers eye-catching orange and green shippers, complemented by attractive packaging, which are all perfect for Easter displays. Consider recipe cards to showcase simple ways for shoppers to integrate sweet potatoes into Easter and other springtime recipes—all of which can be provided to retailers by Bako Sweet.

March is not the time to check boxes on strategic planning. It's an opportunity to up your game.