Giant-Carlisle Named 2010-2011 Apple Merchandiser of the Year

Giant-Carlisle has received the 2010-2011 Apple Merchandiser of the Year Award from the National Apple Month program. Nominated by apple industry members, the division of Quincy, Mass.-based Ahold USA garnered the award for its high level of merchandising support and promotional efforts for apples and apple products throughout the year.

"Giant-Carlisle does an outstanding job of merchandising apples,” noted Roger Pepperl, marketing director for Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers Inc., who nominated the grocery chain. “They have a great merchandising team who is committed to developing both the conventional and organic apple categories through regular promotions. They execute well on promotions by building large displays at the right locations in their stores. Giant-Carlisle values category reports and uses them alongside shipper recommendations to plan promotions."

Added Pepperl: "Above all else, Giant-Carlisle is committed to providing their shoppers with fresh, quality apples in the right variety mix that will keep their interest throughout the year in order to drive demand. They are very deserving of this award."

"The apple category is very important to our overall strategy within the produce department at Giant-Carlisle,” affirmed Jeff Beaulieu, VP sales and merchandising at the Carlisle, Pa.-based grocer.” We take great pride in our merchandising, quality and presentation of the apple category, with a focus on our customers. We have a very strong partnership with the best apple growers that supply the highest quality and outstanding variety of apples to our consumers.”

On hand to accept the honor during a July 28 presentation at the Giant Super Food Store in Camp Hill, Pa., were Beaulieu; John Ponnett, director, fresh sales and merchandising at Giant-Carlisle; Patrick Killiany, category manager, produce merchandising at Ahold USA Retail; Lynn Perry, Ahold USA procurement manager; and Dan Mccullough, Ahold USA VP produce merchandising. Presenting the award were Norm Carpenter, national merchandising manager for Stemilt; Allison Parker, director of consumer health and education at the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association; and Gordon Hochberg from The Produce News.

National Apple Month, the only national, generic apple promotion in the United States, and The Produce News are co-sponsors of the award, which includes a $1,000 donation to the winner's charity of choice. Giant-Carlisle chose to contribute to Our Kids, the division’s foundation that supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals the chain's operating areas.

Giant/Martin’s operates more than 180 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia under the Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets banners, employing more than 31,000 associates.