Retailers seeking stronger sales of new snack flavors should do their homework.
“Operators need to invest to understand their shoppers on a store-by-store basis. Product assortment and marketing story needs to be tailored in this manner,” says Susan Viamari, vice president of thought leadership for IRI.
Shoppers are in front of a section for only seconds. Consequently, says Kelly Fulford, senior category development manager for General Mills Convenience & Foodservice, “organize your section first by segment, then by brand, and, whenever possible, by flavor.”
Click here to read more about the importance of strong flavors in c-stores.
Ray Johnson, operations manager for Speedee Mart, believes shoppers purchase with their eyes, not their tongues. “They’re often buying based on a brand’s image and what the package looks like, so make sure you’re happy with the appearance of a snack package before you invest in any new flavor products,” he says.
For best results, Pervez Pir, COO of Vintners Distributors, recommends:
- Don’t decide on a flavor based on your own taste; let the customer decide.
- Place the item in a heavier flow of traffic and at eye level to ensure maximum exposure.
- Place new items between top-selling items.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.