National Retail Report - Feb. 13

From the USDA's National Retail Report


Valentine’s Day promotions dominated the weekly ads. One dozen rose arrangements were in nearly every retailer’s ad along with stuffed animals. While Valentine’s Day is primarily considered an eating-out occasion, retailers tried to entice shoppers with romantic crab or lobster and steak dinners with sides of asparagus and strawberries. Imported grapes and the stone-fruit trio of nectarines, peaches and plums were featured in all regions of the country. Tomatoes on the vine, Russet potatoes and red bell peppers were frequent vegetable features along with sweet onions and mushrooms regionally. Produce ads this week were down 11 percent compared to last week. Strawberries jumped to the Number Two spot.