ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Zespri and its supply are both on the move. As consumer demand continues to call for SunGold Kiwifruit supply, the company is transitioning to Italy to meet the call and extend the season through February.
Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit accounts for 47 percent of the total kiwi category growth, according to a press release, and both local and international staff are making their way to the Big Apple to meet with the industry face-to-face and share on this success.
“We are looking forward to a live in-person event,” said Susan Noritake, Head of Sales for the North American market. “To celebrate another successful season, we are giving away new Apple AirPod Pros during the New York Produce Show. But, more importantly, it gives us the opportunity to update the industry on the growing demand for Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit in addition to the success of the Green and organic varieties. We think it’s really important as an industry that we work together and share ideas, and this is another direct channel to provide retailers with the tools and resources we have available to help increase their sales and to share our consumer marketing initiatives that help drive shoppers to their stores.”
The team is eager to share successful selling tools, customized programs, and resources available to help promote Zespri’s Northern Hemisphere SunGold Kiwifruit.
“We are excited for retailers to come by our booth [#171] to celebrate our combined effort that made the season a success,” Noritake commented. “We will also have shipping merchandisers on display to showcase how retailers can increase their sales up to 200 percent by placing these merchandisers in their produce section.”
Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit sales over the most recent period are up 48 percent versus a year ago, according to the company, which IRI’s latest 52-weeks ending 10/31/21 shows outpacing category growth by a 23 percent increase, and total fruit growth rate by three times.
Coming fresh off a multi-channel consumer marketing campaign which generated over 450 million impressions, Zespri’s team included in-store displays, digital advertising, influencer partnerships, in-home sampling, and outdoor events to help propel SunGold Kiwifruit to one of the top fastest-growing segments in the category.
As we continue to follow the seasons and the fruits and veg that make them, AndNowUKnow will report the latest.
