HARRIS TEETER'S ICE CREAM SEES GOOD SUMMER SALES

RICHARD TURCSIK

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Harris Teeter here built sales of its Hunter Dairy Southern Select premium private-label ice cream this summer through several different promotion vehicles, including in-store sampling.

Harris Teeter introduced Southern Select March 29 under its Hunter Dairy private label. The gourmet line is packaged in 1-pint containers that regularly retail for $1.99. All 10 of the flavors have a local Southern flair and are rich in cream, chips, nuts, fruits and other additions.

Hunter Dairy Southern Select flavors include Dixie Delight, Charleston Crunch, Chocolate Blast, Mountain Apple Crisp, Cookie Dough Overload, Grandma's Cookie Jar, Sundae Blast, Carolina Vanilla, Coffee's On and Brownie Decadence flavors.

The line has been "well-received" by consumers and is "meeting its sales projections," Ruth Kinzey, manager of corporate communications at the 140-unit Harris Teeter, told SN.

"We have promoted Hunter Dairy Southern Select through a variety of means. In-store signage and couponing have been used. Sales, such as mix-and-match promotions at special prices, have encouraged customers to buy and try the various flavors. We also conducted two chainwide ice cream tastings to introduce shoppers to this high-quality product," Kinzey said.

Harris Teeter produces its Hunter Dairy ice cream products at a plant in High Point, N.C., that it purchased from Borden in 1990.