Stemilt cherry mascot a hit in retail stores
Stemilt cherry mascot a hit in retail stores
Combine Stemilt Growers' sweet cherries with one of the more popular children's characters and the result is a dynamite promotion that's attracting cherry customers across the nation.
Stemilt's Elmo cherry display, featuring the popular Sesame Street character, is having a definite positive impact on cherry sales, according to Roger Pepperl, marketing director for Stemilt. Retailers have Elmo in produce sections nationwide, and consumers are flocking to the displays for plump Stemilt cherries.
"We were confident the merchandising unit would attract attention at retail, but the success has been better than we expected," Mr. Pepperl said.
He credited the display's nutrition message and its appeal to kids for the tremendous positive reaction in supermarkets. Stemilt designed the cherry merchandising unit with nutrition education in mind, using approved statements from years of cherry research about the health benefits of eating cherries.
Stemilt worked with Wilmington, DE-based Produce for Better Health Foundation and utilized the group's recent licensing agreement with Sesame Workshop to develop the Elmo display. PBH reviewed Stemilt's nutrition statements to assure the information was credible and phrased in compliance with labeling laws.
Bullet points on the unit emphasize cherries' positive impact on sleep patterns, hearth health and joint health. A rotating sphere featuring pictures of cherries spins behind Elmo and gives the appearance that the fuzzy character is juggling the fruit. Coloring sheets for kids are also available at the display.
Stemilt's Elmo cherry display, featuring the popular Sesame Street character, is having a definite positive impact on cherry sales, according to Roger Pepperl, marketing director for Stemilt. Retailers have Elmo in produce sections nationwide, and consumers are flocking to the displays for plump Stemilt cherries.
"We were confident the merchandising unit would attract attention at retail, but the success has been better than we expected," Mr. Pepperl said.
He credited the display's nutrition message and its appeal to kids for the tremendous positive reaction in supermarkets. Stemilt designed the cherry merchandising unit with nutrition education in mind, using approved statements from years of cherry research about the health benefits of eating cherries.
Stemilt worked with Wilmington, DE-based Produce for Better Health Foundation and utilized the group's recent licensing agreement with Sesame Workshop to develop the Elmo display. PBH reviewed Stemilt's nutrition statements to assure the information was credible and phrased in compliance with labeling laws.
Bullet points on the unit emphasize cherries' positive impact on sleep patterns, hearth health and joint health. A rotating sphere featuring pictures of cherries spins behind Elmo and gives the appearance that the fuzzy character is juggling the fruit. Coloring sheets for kids are also available at the display.