The retreat of an indulgent western society offers lessons and strategies for the apple industry, according to the August issue of the World Apple Report.

The report, published by Belrose Inc in Washington State, finds that just as already-faltering consumer loyalty to individual brands has further weakened as the recession has taken hold, consumer loyalty to individual varieties of apples may also have weakened. The report states: “Retailers are likely to examine more critically the different varieties of apples that they place on their shelves. For those such as Gala… it will be even more important to maintain a continuous, 12-month supply of quality fruit… Newer varieties, including club varieties, will have to demonstrate that they can add to store traffic or increase the profitability of the shelf space allotted. The whole apple category will have to justify its shelf allotments relative to other competing fruits and vegetables.”

The report authors warn that those varieties threatened with lack of shelf space will have to be able to show that shoppers are prepared to change stores in order to buy a certain variety.