New Zealanders enjoy one of the highest per capita avocado consumption rates in the world.
Yet for many shoppers, selecting the perfect avocado can still feel like a gamble. Too firm today, too soft tomorrow, add in the confusion over storage and ripening, and it’s easy to see why some consumers hesitate at the display.
This season, NZ Avocado is investing more than ever in retail support and consumer education to change that. Our goal is simple: help shoppers feel confident choosing, storing, and enjoying avocados, ultimately driving repeat purchases and reducing waste.
Making the Retail Experience Easier
International research has shown that clear, well-organised avocado displays significantly improve the shopper experience, leading to increased sales and reduced fruit damage. Trials are now under way to apply these insights in the New Zealand market, working with produce teams to test merchandising approaches that make it easier for customers to find the fruit they want.
This includes trialling displays sorted by ripeness, using clear signage to help shoppers understand which avocados are ready now and which will ripen later. Early results suggest that when shoppers can quickly and confidently choose, they’re more likely to purchase multiple avocados at once and are less likely to squeeze and damage fruit unnecessarily.
Read more from NZ Avocado in the latest issue here
