Greenery UK, with the aid of supplier colleagues from MBM Produce and QV Foods, last week undertook to interact with in-store colleagues and sell fresh produce to customers at Sainsbury's Peterborough store.
Their chosen weapon was Greenery's Junior Chef's Club. Kids were encouraged to make a salad or fruit dessert with Greenery UK's celebrity Chef Noel. On successful completion, the children were awarded a Junior Master Chef Certificate. Their parents were also encouraged to enter a “Win the Chef for a Night” competition.
Coupled with this was the opportunity for shoppers to sample many different fruits and tomato products. Key lines that sold out included white grapefruit, oranges, mangoes, Pomodorino tomatoes, to name but a few.
Store manager Danny Marks said: “This was a superb day creating an excellent atmosphere, customers and store colleagues alike found it really inspirational, the kids were entertained and kept busy, whilst their mums were able to sample a variety of products whilst they shopped.”
Mike Scott of MBM said. “This is a very positive step forward with suppliers working together to encourage sales of produce, even when that produce is outside of their core area.”
The suppliers encouraged in-store colleagues to interact more fully with customers, by explaining where the particular products came from at this time of year and suggesting possible recipe ideas and product usage. A combination of this and storage tips meant that many customers walked away with new-found produce knowledge.
The Sainsbury's produce colleagues were shown how to display product in abundant displays to attract additional sales. “It was excellent for store colleagues to collaborate in an initiative organised by suppliers like this,” said Claire Rowbury, Sainsbury's trading and retail specialist, produce. “The results on the day proved the immediate benefits and the team at Peterborough have been inspired by the direct contact.”
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