BLUEBERRY HILL SET TO MOUNT SUPERMARKET DEBUT

SARAH MULHOLLAND

EL PASO, Texas -- Blueberry Hill Foods, a candy manufacturer here, will make its debut in supermarket candy aisles July 1.

The company will launch two new product-merchandising concepts in supermarkets nationwide, with an emphasis on added value.

Blueberry Hill Foods currently produces more than 400 stockkeeping units, available primarily on the private-label market. The brand name will be in stores for the first time with the introduction of its hanging-bag and bulk-product lines.

The hanging-bag line will feature more than 30 SKUs and will include all of the company's top-selling general line items, but with a twist. For example, the starlight mints will use triple-refined peppermint oil and the orange slices and gummies will be made with real fruit juice.

Several co-branded items will also be added to the line in the coming months. The company has already signed an agreement with Jim Hensen's Muppet Babies for a line of gummies that will make their appearance with the rest of the line next month.

The patented bulk-candy dispensing unit, the Fresh Candy Mixin Station, will deliver wrapped and unwrapped candies in all three segments: sugar, chocolate and fruit. The unit design provides automatic product rotation, first-in, first-out, and maximizes profitability with minimum square footage, it was said.

The racks hold 36 SKUs in 4 feet, while the typical merchandising unit requires approximately 8 feet to accommodate the same amount.

Although he would not elaborate, a company representative said several large chains have plans to pick up the line for a promotional push during the Halloween season.

All the products will come in display-ready cases, some in display-ready quarter pallets, with seasonal specific graphics.