This summer, Bako Sweet hosted a retail merchandising contest that ran from May 20 to July 4. Produce managers from Sprouts Colton Distribution Center were challenged to create the most creative displays using the brand’s organic sweet potato bags and Traeger grill-themed bin to promote sweet potato consumption during historically low sales months. As a result, stores that participated saw significant sales lift.
On average, stores that participated saw a 35 percent case per store per week lift and a total tonnage lift of 127 percent. Retailers that used the Traeger bin saw double the tonnage lift and a 6.1 percent increase in sales on average versus stores that did not use the bin.
Left to right: Bruce Bird with FreshSource, Alexandra Rae Molumby with Bako Sweet and Kevin Noguez (produce manager) from Sprouts San Marcos.
Retail sales winners were awarded by weighing percent tonnage growth and included:
- 1st Place, Traeger grill: Store 438, Dean Yoshinaga, West Covina, CA
- 2nd Place, BBQ tool set: Store 255, Scott Goodman, Woodland Hills, CA
- 3rd Place, Personalized BBQ cutting board: Store 231, Marc De Los Santos, Solana Beach, CA
Retail display winners were awarded based on effort/creativity and included:
- 1st Place, Yeti Cooler: Store 203, Kevin Noguez, San Marcos, CA
- 2nd Place, $100 Amazon gift card: Store 257, Nick Mcardle, Monrovia, CA
- 3rd Place, $50 Amazon gift card: Store 254, Jose Garcia, Hemet, CA
All other display contest participants received a $25 Amazon gift card for their participation.
Left to right: Noe Ambzquita (store manager) and Kevin Noguez (produce manager) with Sprouts San Marcos, consumer winner Michael Searle and Alexandra Rae Molumby with Bako Sweet.
“One of our goals this year was to increase sweet potato sales during the summer months,” said Chris Campion, senior sales manager – Colton at Sprouts. “We found this merchandising display extremely valuable in lifting sales and helping shoppers visualize using sweet potatoes on the grill.”
At each store, consumers were encouraged to participate in the brand’s Traeger grill giveaway online. This year’s winner, Michael Searle, was a shopper from San Marcos, CA.
"We created this contest to show how effective display bins can be when trying to increase sales," said Alexandra Rae Molumby, director of marketing for Bako Sweet. "We look forward to seeing sales grow during the summer months as retailers see the effectiveness of using merchandising displays to drive demand."
For more information:
Beth Keeton
Bako Sweet
Tel: +1 (972) 754-7889
beth@elephanthousepr.com
https://bakosweet.com/