Apples Power Oct. Produce Dept. Sales

Apples were once again a big part of produce department sales in October 2014, according to insights from Stemilt Growers' category management program, FruitTracker, which is now delivering information in a new infographic format.

The first “Stemilt-O-Graphic” reports on apple category performance across the U.S. for the month of October 2014, comparing Nielsen scan data to data from the same timeframe the prior year. Roger Pepper, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based grower/packer/shipper, said the new infographic was designed to give a "high-level look" at apple category performance across the U.S. to compare the two periods.

As for Stemilt's noteworthy October insights, Pepperl said apples accounted for roughly 8.1 percent of total produce department dollars, with Gala, Honeycrisp and Red Delicious leading the way among varietals. Additionally, more than two-thirds of apples were sold as bulk, which represents "an important sign of overall category health, as bulk sales historically drive more dollars to the department than bags because of their higher retail price,” Pepperl said.