Following what Zespri has called a 'remarkable season' in the North American market for its newest variety, SunGold has experienced a 170 per cent increase in sales from last year with 73 per cent of new accounts coming on board in 2014.
Experiencing positive responses from retailers and consumers alike, Zespri has announced that SunGold, with its 'tropical-sweet flavour and golden yellow flesh', will be a prominent fixture at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim, California.
“Zespri has generated much consumer interest in SunGold this year with both new differentiating packaging and B2C media events laying a solid platform for continued growth on this excellent new item,” noted The Oppenheimer Group’s executive category director of tropicals, Steve Woodyear-Smith.
For example, a Zespri event in New York City gathered 35 magazine editors, high-profile bloggers, and experienced nutritionists to sample SunGold and other Zespri varieties. The event garnered over 275K impressions with 85 brand mentions, inspiring consumer curiosity and excitement over Zespri, SunGold, and organics.
“Oppenheimer is working with Zespri and we’re excited to expand the kiwifruit category with SunGold, as well as satisfying the growing demand and retail support for Zespri’s organic kiwifruit line,' Woodyear-Smith continued.
Furthering its efforts, Zespri will be positioned at PMA 2014’s sponsorship activities where attendees may sample the SunGold in a variety of tasty and creative ways. Zespri is also co-sponsoring the Welcome Reception on Friday 17 October, where there will be numerous colourful food trucks serving Zespri food and drink concoctions, along with other sponsored products.
During the show, attendees can visit the Zespri Kiwifruit sponsored Charge Lounge where there will be SunGold smoothies and SunGold Kiwitinis for the more adventurous! Lounge guests will be able to sit, relax, recharge their mobile devices, and mingle with other guests.
“It’s been a great season for us, with a bigger volume of SunGold available to this market and great promotional support,' said
Zespri’s senior marketing manager of North America, Michele Hoard. 'The consumer and trade response has been fantastic! This is a really fun and exciting piece of fruit to offer to be able to offer to North America. We’re excited to be showcasing SunGold at PMA, giving everyone an opportunity to try it.'
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