UNITED STATES - The power of an impressive produce display is absolutely unmatched. Serving as the primary opportunity to draw shoppers into a category with sensory cues, fresh displays allow retailers to flex their creativity while creating a sales-driving disruption in the produce department. Stemilt and Four Seasons Produce recently teamed up to host a retail display contest for Stemilt’s World Famous Fruit, resulting in an abundance of eye-catching strategies for showcasing apples and pears.

The grand prize was presented to Henning’s Supermarket in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, for its large, colorful display of Lil Snappers® apples and pears.

“There is nothing more exciting as a produce supplier than to see large, eye-catching displays of your branded products at the place where shoppers will get to purchase them,” shared Brianna Shales, Stemilt’s Marketing Director. “We are always humbled by the creativity and design during display contests with Four Seasons and the great stores they serve. It's our job to help our customers sell more fruit, and bringing theater like this to the produce department certainly did just that for Lil Snappers, SweeTango Apples, organics, and more. Congrats to Hennings Supermarket on their grand prize win, and each store that participated with such passion for making produce sales fun.”

Other retailers who stood out in the contest include:

Largest Display

• First Place: Common Market 7th St - Frederick, MD
• Second Place: Kimberton Whole Foods - Collegeville, PA
• Third Place: Kimberton Whole Foods - Douglasville, PA

Most Creative Display

• First Place: Soulberry Natural Market - New Hope, PA
• Second Place: Common Market Route 85 - Frederick, MD
• Third Place: Miller’s Food Market - Manchester, MD

Best Pear Display

• First Place: Weavers Way Co-Op Germantown - Philadelphia, PA
• Second Place: Kimberton Whole Foods - Wyomissing, PA
• Third Place: Weavers Way Co-Op - Ambler, PA

Best Lil Snappers Display

• First Place: Mother Earth Storehouse - Kingston, NY
• Second Place: Weavers Market - Adamstown, PA
• Third Place: Roots Market - Clarksville, MD

“These display contests are designed to help create a shopping experience for the customer as well as boost category sales for the stores, and this one did not disappoint,” said Brian Dey, Retail and Merchandising Innovation Manager, Four Seasons. “We saw SO many super creative displays that added an atmosphere of fun selling, driving sales and tonnage, and having some fun competing against each other to win some cool prizes. The real prize, however, is the sales, profits, and growth generated by these contest events. Creative displays set the tone for the shopping experience and entice customers to buy, and there is no better place in the world to be creative than the produce department. They also offer the opportunity to try new varieties or SKUs that can be introduced to customers for exposure. Although we did see some pretty large displays coming out of stores, a display does not have to be large to be successful. All it needs to do is create impact and leave an impression on the customer. Impressions lead to loyalty, and loyalty leads to long-term sales. A huge shout-out to our friends and partners at Stemilt for the opportunity to showcase their amazing fruit!”

Congratulations to all of the winners of this fun contest! For more updates directly from the fresh produce department, leave a tab open to AndNowUKnow.