Great fruit faces crunch time says the Economist

A short item in the Economist based on Kantar Worldpanel data shows what is happening to apple sales in the UK - they are going down.

The varieties in growth are:
1. Jazz
2. Pink Lady
3. Braeburn
4. Gala

And in decline are:
1. Granny Smith
2. Cox
3. Golden Delicious.

Remember, these are figures only from shops that hand out till receipts, which means that Kantar does not measure the totality of the independent sector. But it is still a useful guide as to what to stock.

More importantly the Economist interviews suppliers who explain the rise in Gala and Braeburn because consumers like the flavour, supermarkets like them because they are grown all around the world so they are always available and growers like them because they have longer seasons than traditional English varieties.

But Pink Lady, now the fourth most popular variety in Britain, is another fruit covered by strict quality controls and no British farmer is licensed to grow it. Apples are becoming more like processed foods but not in all ways, the Economist notes.

More on www.betterretailing.com.

Comments

Three secrets of great merchandising

Look at the ceiling and top wall of this McDonalds restaurant. There is a picture of two good looking healthy people having fun and some bright primary colours. Ask yourself what is the purpose of this picture? In the latest issue of Retail Newsagent in a feature on merchandising, Andrew Knight of RI tells its independent readers that they need to think about using sharp pictures of non-packaged products linked to people consuming goods. Perhaps this has been taken to the next level by the fast food chain - that is selling the feeling of being happy and healthy rather than the products. A second, related tip from the same feature is made by most contributors - it is vital to keep windows clean and clear of clutter. "I believe that less is more," says Roli Ranger, a retailer from Ascot, Berkshire. He has posters for promotions in between the windows that are regularly updated and discreet signs in the windows. Third, a highly visible well-stocked promotion at the entranc

Overcoming a price disadvantage

Planning for his speech at the Independent Achievers Academy last week, Theo Paphitis asked an assistant to buy a basket of six essentials from a Tesco, a Londis (independent operator in a symbol group) and a One Stop (Tesco's CTN/convenience chain). Tesco was cheapest by a big margin. Second came Londis. The most expensive was One Stop. Mr Paphitis understands the power of the supermarkets and he says the way to counter them is to focus on how to make the experience of shopping with you more relevant to shoppers or more enjoyable for them. John Heynan, sales director of Molson Coors, told Retail Newsagent at about the same time that occasional beer buyers will pay 13 per cent more for their beer in an independent convenience store, provided the retailer targets them appropriately. Tesco has carved itself out this 13 per cent head start. Looking at pricing, if Tesco is 100, then Tesco Express is 108, One Stop is 112, a good symbol group is 115 and non-affiliated independents

A sign of retail stress perhaps

It must have been four months since this window was broken in the Tesco Express on Pentonville Road and I simply cannot believe that it has not been fixed. This is the sort of lack of focus that independent shops usually get criticised for. The only purpose in sharing this image is to encourage those independents with high standards who are finding the going tough that they can do better than this.

nickshanagher

Search This Blog