IRVINE, CA (May 1, 2013) – Retailers have an opportunity for potential increased sales and distribution of the bagged avocado segment according to a recently published report by the Hass Avocado Board (HAB). While the majority of major grocery chains sell bagged avocados, traditional retailers, smaller chains and independents can increase category distribution by adding bags in their stores. According to the study, bagged avocados are a complementary driver to category growth in addition to bulk avocado sales.
“People buy bagged avocados for different purposes than bulk,” explains Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board. “Bagged avocados don’t compete with bulk because consumers see value in a bag for different usage occasions that require multiple avocados.”
HAB’s Retail Sales Opportunity Analysis: Bagged Avocados study indicates that bagged avocados’ retail dollars grew 80% during the three-year analysis from 2010 to 2012. Bulk avocados’ retail dollars grew 17% during the same period. Bagged avocados’ faster growth rate appears to be due, in part, to promotional usage and a faster distribution growth rate. However, bulk accounts for over 94% of total avocado category dollars.
Bagged Avocados’ Retail Dollars Grew 80% from 2010 – 2012
Over the three-year analysis, bagged avocados had a consistent sales ratio from quarter to quarter and were a key driver of the category’s double-digit volume growth with a trend of 73%, outpacing bulk. Much of the retail sales growth was driven by new distribution. Analysts project that if bagged avocado distribution continues to grow at its most recent rate of 15%, it could achieve 100% distribution by 2020.
In addition to store distribution growth, bagged avocados per store per week sales grew 13% in retail dollars from 2010 to 2012. This gain suggests that more shoppers are buying bagged avocados, especially the four-count bags, which grew 98% during the same period. Two- and six-count bags were also notable bag configurations, but accounted for only 24% of 2012 retail dollars.
“This study provides the industry with useful insights into the category,” states Escobedo. “There is tremendous room for retail sales growth because bagged avocados accounted for only 35% of distribution in 2012. As bagged avocado distribution becomes more widespread, retailers need to focus on bagged avocados to complement bulk sales to help drive the overall category.”
Many major grocery retailers sell bagged avocados; however, 65% of the nation is still available for potential distribution and sales among traditional retailers, small chains and independents. To learn more about how to tap into this underdeveloped category, visit hassavocadoboard.com/research-insights/ to read the full report.
About The Hass Avocado Board
The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) was established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass avocados directs HAB’s promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Hass avocados are grown in California and imported into the U.S. from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic and New Zealand.
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