In November, the Autumn Glory® apple hit the retail shelves with a strong start to the season. Shipment volumes were at all-time highs, ranking Autumn Glory as number two in the Washington State “Other Variety” category according to the November shipment report. The week after Thanksgiving sported a 104 percent growth over the previous year.
November and December trends forecast strong New Year sales. Sales were up 104 percent the week of 11/26/2022, and up 98 percent the week of 12/3/2022, according to Nielsen data. Average retail rose $0.16 to $1.84, in line with Fuji and other core apples. Autumn Glory is a top 20 apple year-round.
Dave Gleason taste tasting Autumn Glory apples before harvest.
Looking at Q4, Autumn Glory posted gains in every metric. Volume increased over the number of stores selling, showing increased volume flow through each store. Volume increased 13.4 percent while stores selling increased by 10.6 percent according to Nielsen data from September 4, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Despite harvest delays, overall November volume posted significant gains each week over 2021 volume. Another Q4 win shows that Autumn Glory outpaced total apples and total produce in volume. Autumn Glory volume was up 13 percent, while total apple volume was down -3 percent, and total produce volume was down -0.5 percent.
Flavor is the top priority for Autumn Glory’s success. The Superfresh horticulture team tastes apples from each Autumn Glory orchard to determine harvest timing. The apple boasts natural caramel and cinnamon notes and making sure that its signature flavors are prominent before harvesting is key.
Superfresh Growers has focused on building Autumn Glory buying habits through in-store sampling. “We are seeing great success in creating repeat shoppers. Ninety-six percent of shoppers have expressed intent to purchase Autumn Glory after tasting it,” said Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing. “We also see more consumer excitement than ever online and in our inbox. One shopper wrote “My word, Autumn Glory is amazing. My absolute favorite apple so far!”
Autumn Glory was recently featured on Jeopardy.
Autumn Glory has been a talking point on social media this season as well, with a presence on popular Instagram pages such as Food Writer Mom, Eat the Rainbow Kids, Nutrition by Mia, Azure Farm, Lunches & Littles and more. It also made an appearance on a recent Fox Denver segment, “Healthy Holiday Recipes” with Mia Syn and even had a cameo in a Celebrity Jeopardy episode. Autumn Glory has also been the highlight of many recipes, including game day nachos.
As the sole growers and marketers of the apple, Superfresh Growers looks forward to continuing its success in 2023.
For more information:
Catherine Gipe-Stewart
Superfresh Growers
Tel: +1 (509) 966-1814
[email protected]
www.superfreshgrowers.com