Apples

Apples sell best in the autumn months, led by Gala, Honeycrisp and Fuji varieties.   By Haley Hastings Apples were the second highest-selling fruit category, accounting for six percent of total produce department dollar sales, for the 52 week period ended June 27. Apples average dollar sales decreased slightly during this time, down 2.6 percent, while volume sales remained steady. Apples had the highest contribution to produce department dollar sales in the Central region, at 6.9 percent, down from 7.3 percent the previous year. The Central region also posted the highest average weekly sales per store per week at $3,483. The second highest contribution to produce sales for apples occurred in the South region, at six percent, down from 6.3 percent the previous year. The South region posted the lowest average weekly sales at $2,585 per store. Apples posted a 5.9 percent contribution to produce sales in the West region, followed by the East region at 5.6 percent. Apple sales peaked during the month of October. The highest-selling week occurred the week ended Oct. 11, at $3,774 per store. The second highest-selling week occurred the week ended Oct. 18, at $3,708 per store. The lowest-selling weeks occurred during the summer months of June, July and August. The lowest selling week for apples occurred the week ended July 26, at $2,195 per store. The apples category is made up of 39 apple varieties. Gala was the largest apple variety during the latest 52-week period, accounting for nearly a quarter of total apple sales and selling $720 per store per week, down 5.2 percent compared to the previous year. Honeycrisp was the second highest-selling apple variety, accounting for 15.5 percent of apple sales. Honeycrisp apples sold $463 per store per week, an increase of 21.2 percent during this time. Honeycrisp was one of nine apples varieties to increase dollar sales during this period. Fuji was the third-highest selling apple variety at 12.5 percent of total apples sales, and sold $374 per store per week, down 8.6 percent. This sales review is provided by Nielsen Perishables Group. Based in Chicago, Nielsen Perishables Group specializes in retail measurement, analytics, marketing communications, category development, promotional best practices and shopper insights. For more information, contact Nielsen Perishables Group: Haley Hastings, (773) 929-7013 email: [email protected]