<p>With the unique, new fruit and vegetable varieties available these days, its no wonder the produce department is becoming the highlight of the grocery store... and CMI's KIKU® brand apples have become one of the hottest new items for retailers. According to retail data from Nielsen Perishables Group, over the past 52 weeks dollar sales for KIKU® apples jumped by over 229%. During the same period, volume increased by nearly 192%.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Growth of the KIKU® brand has been strong nationally and in all regions of the U.S. KIKU® apple sales increased in every U.S. region by more than 175%. Increased sales were strongest in the West and South regions, jumping by 285% and 249% respectively.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Consumer demand has prompted retailers to increase distribution of KIKU® apples and maintain store displays for longer periods of time. On average, retailers promote these apples 13 weeks during the season, compared to 8 weeks during the prior year. Over the past 52 weeks, the number of grocers selling KIKU® apples increased by 111% from 4,149 stores to 8,774 stores. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>This year’s KIKU® program with CMI’s alliance partners, Rice Fruit Company and Applewood Orchards Inc. in Michigan, will kick off distribution by the third week of January and are expected to ship through March. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Tim Welsh, who oversees the North American plantings that produce KIKU® brand apples, has been impressed by the outstanding eating quality of the fruit this season. “It's a new year and our trees have produced a truly premium crop. The sweetness and crisp juicy flesh of the apples is unmatched. As a result, we are confident that our retailer partners will see repeat consumer purchases of KIKU® brand apples for the duration of the season.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.cmiapples.com/retailer/kiku" target="_new">CMI</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
