Shanghai, China – Pagoda Stores and Mr. Avocado are reporting tremendously successful results from a midAugust promotion at Pagoda's 2,500 stores in China. The event, focusing on retail and online outlets, showed positive results from the outset, with many Pagoda stores doubling their average sales on avocados, and eclipsing 200% their normal movement for the period. Consumer feedback to this promotion was very positive.
In its first nationwide sales effort, Mr. Avocado worked to educate consumers on enjoying ripe fruit with handling guidelines, recipe ideas and nutrition information. Some stores stocked avocados for the first time for this promotion, and Pagoda store managers were astounded about the positive reaction from consumers in the market.
In addition to in-store sales, online sales growth doubled as well. The Pagoda App experienced more clicks and more orders than during any previous promotion. The summer online sale of Mr. Avocado fruit worked in combination with the in-store promotion and shoppers could designate home delivery or pickup at a retail outlet.
According to John Wang, President & CEO of Lantao International and partner in the the Mr. Avocado joint venture with Mission Produce and Pagoda, “The goal of the promotion was to provide a positive experience for consumers in fast delivery of high quality and ‘ready to eat’ Mr. Avocado fruit from just around the corner. We are very happy with the results of the promotion.”
In order to foster engagement with Chinese avocado consumers, Mr. Avocado also launched updates on its WeChat Service Account at the same time. It simultaneously launched the news of in-store and online sales, and updated new recipes. WeChat followers increased by 50% a week after the sale started. New avocado recipes on the WeChat account are for general consumers, and provide easy-to-make recipes with the intention of driving sales at retail and online outlets.
The sale lasted through the end of August, and was used to highlight Mr. Avocado’s ripe avocado program. The event ushered in a new era in the Chinese market through Mr. Avocado’s exclusive delivery and sales platform. From professional temperature controls throughout the supply chain, to advanced ripening technology, to retail promotions and displays, the Mr. Avocado program educates the Chinese consumer about the use of ripe avocados, nutrition, care and handling. Additional promotional efforts are planned for the fall and winter months to continue the momentum established with the August promotion.
About Mr. Avocado:
Mr. Avocado is a joint venture between Mission Produce, Lantao International and Pagoda. The venture operates a state-of-the-art avocado ripening facility in Shanghai, and provides ripe avocados to consumers throughout China through Pagoda’s retail distribution network.
About Mission Produce:
Mission Produce operates state-of-the-art avocado packing facilities in California, Mexico, Peru and Chile. In addition, the company’s global distribution network includes eight ripe centers in North America, with three additional ripe centers in Canada, Europe and China that became operational in early 2017. Over the past 34 years, Mission has grown to become a leader in the worldwide avocado business.
About Lantao International:
Lantao is the largest importer and distributor of premium fresh fruit from around the world into China. With 8 distribution centers throughout Mainland China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Herbing, Shenyang and Qingdao, Lantao reaches a total population of 1.1 billion people, or about 85% of the potential avocado consuming public in China.
About Pagoda:
Pagoda opened its first shop in 2002, and has grown at a rapid rate. It currently operates over 2,500 stores in China, with a turnover of over $4 billion. It’s overall growth plans include to open 10,000 shops throughout Asia by the year 2020.
Source: Mission Produce
