For its 19th year, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is calling all retailers to put their best display forward in the IPC's Potato Lover's Month retail display contest. The Commission's longest-running and most-popular promotion is awarding more than $150,000 in cash and prizes to retailers showcasing "spudtacular" Idaho potato displays in February, a.k.a. Potato Lover's Month. Best of all, everyone's a winner, because all qualified entrants receive a wireless indoor/outdoor speaker!
Building on the momentum from last year's successful contest, the IPC is once again teaming up with Mrs. Dash Seasonings and Molly McButter to help retailers add spice to their displays and drive traffic to the produce department.
"At a time of year when produce sales are slower, the IPC's Potato Lover's Month display contest is a sure-fire and fun way to attract customers to the produce department and encourage them to buy Idaho potatoes along with other fruits and vegetables," said Seth Pemsler, VP Retail/International, IPC. "From the thousands of entries we receive every year, many are returning produce managers who know the contest is a win-win opportunity -- a chance to win cash plus see an increase in produce sales."
Aside from pumping up potato sales, retailers with the most creative PLM displays win cash and prizes! The top five finishers in three store categories and 100 honorable mentions will receive the following cash rewards:
- 1st Place receives $1,500
- 2nd Place receives $1,000
- 3rd Place receives $750
- 4th Place receives $500
- 5th Place receives $250
- 100 Honorable mentions (chosen from remaining entries) receive $100
If your store wins a top prize (1st through 5th place prizes), a matching prize will be awarded! With 115 chances to win and $150,000 in cash and prizes, there's nothing to lose.
Getting started on your display is as easy as visiting www.idahopotato.com/retail to read the rules and order POS materials. The POS kit is a great resource to spark sales-driving display ideas and includes:
- Two round 2-sided PLM logo display signs
- Two Mylar Spuddy Buddy balloons
- One Mylar Mrs. Dash balloon
- Two 2-sided signs (large and small) featuring an appetizing photo to decorate your display
And don't forget to browse the IPC's other useful tools, including clip art and photos, to help create custom signs.
IPC's Potato Lover's Month Display Contest Details
To enter, stores must create an attention-grabbing display prominently featuring the IPC's PLM POS materials and promoting Idaho potato products (both fresh and dehydrated), Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends and Molly McButter. Displays must be in place, in the produce section of the store, at least one week during the January 25 through February 26, 2010 contest period. The contest is open to retail supermarket chains and independents only. Retailers should review the Official Rules to determine the category that best fits their store.
To qualify, be sure to include the following products:
- Fresh Idaho potatoes (bag, bulk or both) that have a clear label showing the Idahor name and the "Grown In Idaho" seal (displays may not include potato products from other states)
- A clearly marked Idahor dehydrated potato product
- Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends
- Molly McButter
Retailers can use the downloadable POS materials and/or they may create their own display support materials. Creativity is encouraged! Entries are limited to one per store. To enter online (or to obtain an entry form), retailers must visit www.idahopotato.com/retail, click on "Potato Lover's Month Display Contest" and follow the directions.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged and prizes awarded by the PLM Retail Display Contest Review Committee. Entries will be judged on the following criteria: use of PLM signage; creativity of the display; how the display incorporates the partner products; and perceived salability of the display.
All entries must be received no later than March 31, 2010. All winners will be notified by May 1, 2010 and posted on www.idahopotato.com/retail.