Vidalia Onion Picks Sweet Rewards Display Contest Winners
VIDALIA, Ga. - The Vidalia Onion Committee here has selected 10 produce managers from U.S. supermarket retail companies as winners of its Sweet Rewards Merchandising Display Contest, held from May 1 through June 8, 2007.
The winning produce managers -- who will receive $50 gift cards for each produce department employee -- are Eric Dodge, Hy-Vee; Aaron Fleming, Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co.; Tony Gilliam, Food City; Timothy Hassler, Ferguson & Hassler, Inc.; Angela Hopson, Food City; Lannie Kiser, Brookshire Grocery Co.; Dee Mabry, Brookshire Grocery Co.; Lequitte Perry, KVAT Food Store; Doyle Robinson, Food City; and Lee Rose, Food City.
Wendy Brannen, executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee, said produce departments from almost 50 U.S. conventional retailers, retail wholesalers, mass merchandisers, and independent grocers competed to create colorful summer grilling themed displays featuring Vidalia onions. Entries were judged on several criteria including size and location of display, creative display techniques, cross merchandising opportunities, and quality of display.
Ideas for creativity and cross merchandising included summertime barbeque displays in the produce department, cross promotions in other supermarket departments, and use of in-store point-of-sale materials featuring celebrity chef Jon Ashton to support the Very Vidalia consumer recipe contest.
The winning produce managers -- who will receive $50 gift cards for each produce department employee -- are Eric Dodge, Hy-Vee; Aaron Fleming, Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co.; Tony Gilliam, Food City; Timothy Hassler, Ferguson & Hassler, Inc.; Angela Hopson, Food City; Lannie Kiser, Brookshire Grocery Co.; Dee Mabry, Brookshire Grocery Co.; Lequitte Perry, KVAT Food Store; Doyle Robinson, Food City; and Lee Rose, Food City.
Wendy Brannen, executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee, said produce departments from almost 50 U.S. conventional retailers, retail wholesalers, mass merchandisers, and independent grocers competed to create colorful summer grilling themed displays featuring Vidalia onions. Entries were judged on several criteria including size and location of display, creative display techniques, cross merchandising opportunities, and quality of display.
Ideas for creativity and cross merchandising included summertime barbeque displays in the produce department, cross promotions in other supermarket departments, and use of in-store point-of-sale materials featuring celebrity chef Jon Ashton to support the Very Vidalia consumer recipe contest.