Scandinavian retailers are the front runners of the European berry market, as their fresh produce departments are responsible for no less than 13 percent of the total supermarket sales. Joakim Bäckstäde, Sales Manager at Swedish retailer Hemköp (part of the Axfood chain), is convinced that the high value berry shopper is here to stay. Together with Wyard Stomp, Commercial Director of Europe’s biggest berry brand Driscoll’s, he reflects on the potential of this promising market.
What makes the berry category interesting?
Joakim Bäckstäde: “Berries are fresh, delicious and healthy. It’s fun to eat and share them with your family and friends. Furthermore they are impulse driven products. Buying berries can trigger other purchases, or as we like to say; berries have a lot of in-store ‘friends’, such as ice-cream, yoghurt and cake. By combining these products in the shelf, we stimulate cross-selling.” Wyard Stomp continues: “Berries are a perfect match with recent consumer trends and can make any ordinary moment more special.”
Why is the berry shopper valuable?
Bäckstäde underlines that berry shoppers are willing to pay more for fresh, high quality products. “Next to berries they also love other premium products such as dairy and pastry, which makes them extra appealing for our supermarkets. I am positive that the berry shopper is the shopper of the future and will influence many other categories in a positive way.” Wyard Stomp adds: “It’s our mission to gain the shopper’s trust by offering them delicious, fresh and beautiful berries all year round. This is something we can only do by working closely together with our retail partners.”
Why are berries Sweden’s favourites?
“That’s simple, because they are healthy and tasteful! Scandinavian people really care about health and the environment. Berries remind them of the warm summer months and they fit very well with other popular Swedish products such as soured milk, yoghurt, quark and cottage cheese”, Bäckstäde explains.
How do you tempt shoppers to buy more berries?
Hemköp’s Sales Manager: “Recently we have installed special coolers in almost all new and renewed stores. This way our berries stay fresh for a longer period of time. By placing the coolers on premium spots in our supermarkets, shoppers cannot miss out on these fruits while visiting the store.” Stomp highlights the importance of an appealing berry presentation. “We want to do more for our customers than just offering berries. That is why we support our partners with shopper insights and advise them on how to create a successful in-store berry presentation.”
How do you promote berries outside the local season?
Bäckstäde: “We promote berries at least once a month. This is something we do through our flyers, in-store promotions and our own social media accounts. By offering tasty recipes to our shoppers and making them aware of the joy that berries can bring to the table, we have already seen an impressive sales growth outside the regular season.”
What are you expectations of this promising category?
“I expect a lot of the berry category; a growth in demand and more packaging diversity, that will seduce shoppers to buy more berries. My personal goal is to have berries on full focus in all our stores every single day, not only during promotion periods.” Wyard Stomp agrees and adds: “I will be proud as people at every office location and at every school around the world will enjoy berries during their lunch break.”
