National Retail Report - Sept. 12

Grapes and organic items are in the retail spotlight this week, says the USDA. From the USDA's National Retail Report, the summary of promotion activity:


Grapes Featured Heavily, Retailers Promote Variety of Themes
Back-to-school and football were the predominant themes this week. In addition, some retailers promoted September as National Organic Harvest Month. Still, others, especially in the South Central and Southwest regions, took the opportunity to highlight the anniversary of Mexico’s independence. Overall this week, fresh produce ads were down more than 11% and could be attributed to a decline of more than 20% on fruit ads. Vegetable ad activity, however, showed almost no change with less than 1% increase. Despite the decline in fruit ad activity, 4 of the top 5 featured items were fruits. The top 5 items were: grapes, peaches, pears, plums, and baby carrots. Grapes were featured quite heavily as a healthful addition to packed lunches and as a portable snack. Alone, grapes made up nearly 10% of all fresh produce ads.

Fruits as Percentage of Total Fruit Ads - September 12, 2008
Pears, bartlett 11%
Oranges, navel 3%
Pineapple 2%
Plums 10%
Peaches 12%
Nectarines 8%
Mangoes 4%
Strawberries 7%
Strawberries, organic 1%
Watermelon, mini 2%
Watermelon, seedless 0%
Grapes, green/red 19%
Grapefruit, red 0%
Honeydew 2%
Limes 2%
Lemons 1%
Cantaloupe 7%
Blueberries 1%
Bananas, organic 0%
Apples, red delicious 0%
Avocadoes, hass 4%
Bananas 2%



Vegetables as Percentage of Total Vegetable Ads - September 12, 2008
Broccoli, organic 0%
Broccoli 3%
Beans, round green 4%
Tomatoes, on the vine 9%
Tomatoes, organic 0%
Tomatoes 5%
Cabbage 1%
Carrots, baby organic 5%
Carrots, baby 9%
Asparagus 8%
Tomatoes, grape organic 4%
Tomatoes, grape 5%
Celery 3%
Corn 3%
Cucumbers 6%
Lettuce, iceberg 2%
Lettuce, romaine 1%
Mushrooms, white 3%
Onions, yellow 4%
Sweet Potatoes 2%
Squash, zucchini 4%
Potatoes, russet 1%
Peppers, bell red 7%
Peppers, bell green 6%
Onions, sweet 5%

Weekly Organic snapshot
This supplemental report is a list of other organic items found in the retail ads of those stores surveyed as part of the National Fruit and Vegetable Report. The prices shown are the range of prices encountered and are not weighted average prices. Descriptions of the items are largely as shown in the retail ads. Prices are in dollars.

Apples, Gala Per Lb 1.49 -2.99
Apples, Jonagold Per Lb 1.99
Apples, Red Delicious Per Lb 1.79
Apples, Gala 3 lb film bag 3.99
Avocados, Hass Each 0.89 -2.99
Beans, Green Per Lb 1.99 -3.00
Blackberries 6 oz cntrs 2.50 -3.99
Bok Choy, Baby type Per Lb 1.99
Broccoli Per Lb 1.59
Broccoli Crowns 12 oz pkg 3.49
Cabbage Per Lb 0.99 -1.79
Cantaloupe Each 1.29 -2.99
Cantaloupe Per Lb 0.68 -0.79
Carrots 2 Lb Bag 1.79 -2.49
Carrots, loose Per Lb 1.39 -1.50
Carrots, Baby peeled yellow 16 oz pkg 1.99
Carrots, bunched, with tops Bunch 1.49 -1.79
Cauliflower Each 1.99
Celery Per Lb 0.89
Celery Each 1.29 -2.99
Celery Hearts Each 2.00 -3.00
Cucumbers Each 1.50
Figs Per Lb 2.99
Garlic 4 oz pkg 1.99
Grapes, Green or Red Seedless Per Lb 0.99 -2.99
Lettuce, Red or Green Leaf Each 1.29 -1.69
Lettuce, Romaine Each 1.50
Lettuce, Romaine Hearts 8 oz pkg 2.50
Lettuce, Romaine Hearts 3 ct pkg 1.99 -3.49
Lettuce, Romaine Hearts 2 ct pkg 2.99
Lettuce, Romaine Hearts 5-10 oz pkg 2.50 -3.99
Lettuce, Romaine, Baby 5-11 oz pkg 2.50 -3.99
Lettuce, Romaine, Baby 16 oz pkg 4.99 -5.99
Mangoes Each 1.25 -1.99
Mushrooms, Portabella 6 oz pkg 2.99
Mushrooms, Whole White 8 oz pkg 2.69 -3.00
Nectarines, Yellow Flesh Per Lb 1.99
Onions, Green 4.5 oz pkg 1.29
Onions, Red Per lb 0.79
Onions, Yellow Per Lb 0.69 -0.79
Onions, Yellow or Red 3 lb bag 1.99 -2.99
Onions, Sweet Per Lb 0.96 -1.29
Oranges, Valencia 4 lb bag 2.99
Oranges, Valencia Per Lb 0.77 -1.50
Peaches Per Lb 1.99 -3.69
Pears, Bartlett Per Lb 1.39 -1.99
Pears, Stark Crimson Per Lb 1.99 -2.99
Peppers, Green 2 ct pkg 2.99
Peppers, Green Per Lb 1.99
Peppers, Green Each 0.79
Peppers, Mini type 16 oz cntrs 2.99
Plums, Red or Black Per Lb 1.49 -2.50
Potatoes, Russet Per Lb 1.39
Raspberries 6 oz pkg 2.99
Salad, Mixed Types Per Lb 4.99 -5.99
Salad, Mixed Types 5-7 oz pkg 2.50 -3.99
Salad, Mixed Types 10-12 oz pkg 2.50 -4.79
Salad, Mixed Types 16 oz cntrs 4.99
Spinach Bunch 1.50
Spinach, Baby 5 oz pkg 2.50 -3.99
Spinach, Baby 7 oz pkg 3.49 -3.89
Spinach, Baby 16 oz pkg 4.99 -5.99
Squash, Acorn & Butternut Per Lb 0.99 -1.99
Squash, Yellow Per Lb 2.50
Squash, Zucchini Per Lb 1.48
Squash, Zucchini 2 ct pkg 2.99
Sweet Potatoes Per Lb 2.49
Tomatoes, On the Vine Per Lb 2.99
Tomatoes, Cherry Pint Basket 2.99