The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Madison, Wis., offers an assortment of suggestions to help retailers sell artisan and specialty cheese this holiday season.
Seasonal and unusual accompaniments served with the cheeses, for example, can spark up an in-store demo — and sell more cheese, because this gives customers serving ideas.
Innovative pairings, cross-merchandising and made-to-order cheese platters can add zing as well.
Retailers can tap into these ideas by visiting WMMB's website, WisDairy.com, or by contacting their regional WMMB representative.
Meanwhile, WMMB's director of national product communications, Marilyn Wilkinson, offered some suggestions of her own.
Pairings don't need to be difficult, just distinctive, Wilkinson told SN.
“Retailers could recommend to shoppers — and cross-merchandise — a creamy Wisconsin blue with a ginger thin, a really compatible flavor combination. Or, ask them to try aged cheddar with a food or beverage with caramely overtones like honey kettle popcorn or caramel popcorn or with a bourbon cocktail.”