ORLANDO, FL - Riding the crest of the fresh trend, Sunkist has announced plans to continue meeting crazy consumer demand; the citrus provider announced its readiness to service customers and end consumers with more than 40 varieties of fresh quality citrus for the new season, along with innovative ideas, new packaging, merchandising displays, and promotional programs to drive citrus sales.
“Specialty citrus is about education and experience for consumers,” said Director of Retail Marketing Julie DeWolf, in a press release. “Sunkist has a wide array of retail marketing programs, including sampling, digital coupons, high-graphic secondary display bins and in-store point-of-sale materials that highlight flavor profiles, nutritional benefits, and recipes to build awareness, drive trial, and increase sales.”
The company noted that growth continues in a number of specialty varieties such as sweet, seedless, and low-acidity Cara Cara navels and savory, rich blood oranges. And once consumers taste these varieties, the company notes, research suggests that consumers become abiding fans of these unique flavor profiles and come back for more.
Sunkist offers lemons, limes, and grapefruit year-round and also offers a number of seasonal specialty varieties, including: sweet-tart pummelos; Texas Rio Star, Florida, Sweetie, and Melo Gold grapefruit; and sweet, easy-peel Satsuma mandarins. Specialty lemons are growing in demand, the company noted, along with the category, creating opportunities for seedless, pink variegated Zebra™ lemons, and Meyer lemons.
Sunkist Delite™ mandarins are set to begin shipping in early November—with higher volumes than last year’s inaugural season. Delite mandarins boast a sweet taste, seedless flesh, and easy-to-peel rind—and are sure to serve as a “must-have” driver of sales for retailers looking to capitalize on the mandarin category’s unprecedented growth.
Throughout winter and spring, several additional varieties will be available such as minneola tangelos, royal and gold nugget variety mandarins, and Fairchild and Ojai pixie tangerines.
The company also offers a range of organic citrus in promotable volumes.
The company is also promoting its California grown navel oranges—a sweet, juicy, seedless variety that’s an excellent source of vitamin C. Perfect for a healthy and a versatile ingredient for seasonal and everyday recipes, navels will feature in Sunkist’s 2019 limited edition “Year of the Pig” 10-pound gift carton—with a special-themed marketing element specifically geared towards the Lunar New Year celebration.
Retailers can also boost sales using Sunkist’s secondary display options to promote citrus outside the produce section in departments such as seafood and liquor.
Interested parties can stop by Sunkist’s “We Are Citrus™” booth—#2443—to learn more about the company’s offerings and its comprehensive selection of marketing support—including customizable promotional and merchandising programs that can be tailored to unique needs.
