Retailers pulled out all the stops this year to secure their share of the $150,000 in cash and prizes awarded in the IPC's 19th Annual Potato Lover's Month Retail Display Contest. Floor-to-ceiling, head-turning displays and increased retailer participation demonstrated that the most anticipated retail promotion of the year is more popular than ever.
"With potatoes being one of the only categories in the produce department experiencing double-digit volume growth, it's no surprise we received close to 10 percent more entries than we did in 2009. Displays attract customers and by increasing potato sales, retailers are able to off-set some of the margins lost on items that are not performing as well," said Seth Pemsler, Vice President, Retail/International, IPC. "This contest has become a tradition for many retailers. It's an easy and fun way for them to increase sales and possibly win a substantial cash prize for themselves and their store."
To add some spice to the displays, the IPC again partnered with Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends and Molly McButter, two potato topping favorites. In addition to showcasing these two brands, all displays had to include fresh Idaho potatoes (bag, bulk or both) that have a clearly discernable label showing the Idaho name and the "Grown in Idaho" seal and a clearly marked dehydrated Idaho potato product.
"Obviously one of the goals of the contest is to boost sales during a month when produce sales throughout the department are slow. However, we also want to encourage consumers to look for the `Grown in Idaho' seal every time they make a potato purchase, whether it be fresh, frozen or dehydrated. It's the only way they can be assured they are buying a premium, quality potato grown in the state of Idaho," said Pemsler.
The Winners...
More than $150,000 in cash and prizes was awarded with a total of $34,000 awarded as cash prizes to the top 115 participants, including matching prizes to category managers.
1st Place winners receive $1,500 each
2nd Place winners receive $1,000 each
3rd Place winners receive $750 each
4th Place winners receive $500 each
5th Place winners receive $250 each
100 Honorable Mentions each receive $100
To view photographs of all the winning entries, a complete list of winners and how the prizes were awarded, visit http://retail.idahopotato.com/plm.
1st Place Display Winners
1-5 Cash Registers
Gleo Runyon
Pick n Save
Ironton, OH
6-9 Cash Registers
Robert Kruse
Sweetbay Supermarket
Tampa, FL
10+ Cash Registers
Fred Sweany
Buehler's Fresh Foods
Wooster, OH
2nd Place Display Winners
1-5 Cash Registers
Cheryl Beatty
Community Market
Chillicothe, OH
6-9 Cash Registers
David Dozier
G.F.F. Foods
Moore, OK
10+ Cash Registers
Sharon Brennan
Viking Village Foods
Reedsburg, WI
3rd Place Display Winners
1-5 Cash Registers
Ann Kelch Schurtz
Community Market
Marysville, OH
6-9 Cash Registers
Jeff Stewart
Piggly Wiggly
Bonifay, FL
10+ Cash Registers
Jeff Lucas
Neptune City Foodtown #339
Neptune City, NJ