Blogs

Matt Olson, Fresh Retail Consultant 

With the holiday season in full swing and the new year on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how to elevate your produce department for 2025. Fresh fruits and vegetables continue to gain traction in INFRA stores, with a combined growth of 4.5% over the past year. Organic produce sales are also on the rise, offering a fantastic opportunity for INFRA members to attract new customers and keep them coming back for seasonal offerings. Below are a few actionable strategies to help you create excitement in your produce department in the new year.

Offer Unique Specialty Produce

Consumers are increasingly seeking out unique, specialty offerings, and there are more and more exciting varieties emerging in every category of the produce department. From tropical fruits like yellow dragon fruit, mango, and papaya to an ever-expanding array of apples, citrus, berries, and tomatoes, the options are endless. While not every specialty item may fit into your department’s current mix, the key is to find what works for your store.

Highlighting products like Cosmic Crisp apples, Ojai tangerines, Oishii strawberries, or even local produce unique to your region can create buzz. Use intentional merchandising, sampling, and customer education to draw attention to these items and make them stand out. Produce buyers should stay in close contact with their sales reps and keep an eye on industry trends to identify new offerings as they emerge.

Tap into Flavor Trends

Another way to drive excitement is to capitalize on produce related flavor trends. One bigger trend right now is banana puree being integrated into multiple different beverages. Building a cross-merchandised display with bananas and banana flavored beverages like Wildwonder’s Banana Queen Sparkling Probiotic Drink or Olipop’s Banana Cream Soda, is a great way to build sales and engagement across the store. In addition, it’s always beneficial to put a little more focus on a consistent bestseller, like bananas, to drive overall department sales.

Convenience is Key

Value-added and convenience-focused produce is another growing category. Packaged salads, clamshell berries, and cut fruit and vegetables are all in demand. These products present excellent cross-merchandising opportunities—placing pre-cut fruit near the deli or in a high-traffic area of the store, such as an ice table at the front, can drive impulse buys and increase sales. Offering easy grab-and-go options makes shopping for fresh produce even more convenient for busy customers.

In Conclusion

As we head into 2025, ensuring your produce department stands out requires a combination of unique offerings, trend-savvy selections, and customer-focused convenience. By offering a dynamic mix of specialty items, flavor-driven displays, and value-added options, you’ll create a more engaging shopping experience that keeps customers coming back for more. Curating your produce selection with intention, paired with thoughtful merchandising, will not only boost your sales but also enhance your store’s reputation as a vibrant and innovative destination for fresh produce.