IDAHO POTATO COMMISSION NAMED TOP PRODUCE "CATEGORY ADVISOR" IN PROGRESSIVE GROCER COMPETITION

EAGLE, ID, November 10, 2015 – From glossy B2B magazines to comprehensive custom category reviews, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) puts a premium on providing top-notch merchandising tools for retailers. In recognition of that dedication to category management excellence and continued achievement, Progressive Grocer has honored IPC as a 2015 Category Advisor for produce in the magazine’s annual competition.
 
The Progressive Grocer Category Captains Awards competition recognizes industry category management platforms based on innovation that grows total category volume, delivery of measured results, and direct performance feedback from retailers.
 
“We’re honored to be considered among the best of the best in our industry,” said Seth Pemsler, vice president, Retail/International, IPC. “We’ve created a wide variety of category management programs for retailers, and we’re continuing to develop new resources that enable them to maximize the benefits of selling Idaho® potatoes.”
 
One of the newest IPC category management tools is a 5”x7” laminated, double-sided “Grown in Idaho” sign designed to help retailers communicate to shoppers that the bulk potatoes they’re perusing are indeed Idaho® potatoes.

 
To help retailers keep up with the latest, most effective potato merchandising recommendations, IPC also produces a slick, colorful quarterly magazine–Potato Retailing Today. A recent issue, for example, showcased IPC’s proprietary research about Hispanic potato shoppers and their unique buying patterns in the category.

And for retailers looking for customized merchandising analysis, IPC continues to offer confidential, in-depth potato category reports at no cost to the retailer. IPC reviews potato sets at five or more of the retailer’s stores, in addition to visiting all competitors within a five-mile radius of those stores. The completed analysis is presented to the retailer along with IPC’s personalized recommendations for improving sales in the entire potato category. 

“We show them both the positive and the negative in their stores and in their competitors’ stores,” said Pemsler. “It’s an invaluable tool for retailers who want to pump up their potato sales, and IPC has both the research data and the category expertise to help them make it happen.” 

About the Idaho Potato Commission

The Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency that is primarily responsible for expanding the markets for Idaho-grown potatoes through advertising, promotion and research. The Commission also protects the use of the “Idaho® potato” and “Grown in Idaho” seals, which are federally registered Certification Marks that belong to the IPC. These Marks ensure that consumers are purchasing potatoes that have been grown in the state of Idaho. For more information, visit www.idahopotato.com.