25th Annual Masters of Merchandising: DOLE

BANANAS

RIPE FACTS ABOUT THE WORLD’S MOST-PURCHASED FRUIT

Sure, everyone knows about bananas, right? They’re one of the world’s most beloved fruits — and among the most-purchased items in grocery stores across North America. They’re also one of nature’s most perfect foods: convenient, value-priced, full of nutrients, naturally sweet, just the right size for kids’ lunches, and come in their own bio-degradable, easy-to-open packaging.

But that’s only part of the story. You may be surprised to also learn the following about the ubiquitous yellow fruit.

• More than one-third of Americans rank bananas as a must have purchase — more than any other fruit or vegetable and sixth among all supermarket items.

• It’s a common misconception that bananas are primarily eaten only for breakfast. But just 51 percent of bananas are for breakfast at home, leaving nearly half eaten at other times of day.

• Bananas rank third as a sugar replacement in recipes and cooking behind honey and maple syrup but ahead of stevia, agave and monk fruit.

• 29% of your shoppers like eating bananas that are at least partially green. Half of all banana lovers want perfectly yellow fruit with no green or brown spots.

• More banana lovers are also discovering exotic new varieties beyond the Cavendish. Sales of Red Bananas, Plantains and other exotic varieties are growing year over year.

TOP 8 TIPS FOR GROWING YOUR BANANA SALES

1 Inspire. Offer unexpected usage ideas or recipe suggestions at POS to create an impulse to buy a few more fingers.

2 Sell at every stage. Displaying multiple-color stages appeals to broader shopper usage preferences and demographics, and can increase purchase size.

3 Go beyond the Cavendish. Stock DOLE® Red Bananas, Baby Bananas, Manzanos and Plantains to offer your shoppers variety – and more reasons to buy.

4 Tell shoppers a story. Most shoppers are surprised to learn how many steps it takes to get those bananas from the farm to their store.

5 Stock organic. More than ever, today’s shoppers want to trade-up for organic so make sure to keep this option continually in-stock.

6 Think beyond the produce section. Secondary displays near the cereal aisle, dairy section or check-out position bananas as an impulse purchase or snack option.

7 Make first impressions count. Keep your displays full of bright, beautiful, unblemished DOLE® Bananas to keep your shoppers satisfied.

8 Tap the power of partnership. Look for relationship or cause alliances between suppliers and partners that connect with your shoppers whether entertainment brands, national health, wellness and hunger-relief groups or complementary CPG brands to garner more in-store attention.

BEYOND THE CAVENDISH: DISCOVER THE COLORFUL WORLD OF EXOTIC BANANAS

For decades, bananas have been a dependable staple in the produce aisle. But today’s shoppers are looking for more than dependable. They want discovery. They want flavor. They want color. Dole’s portfolio of exotic banana varieties delivers all three, giving retailers an easy way to energize the category and capture incremental sales.

• Red Bananas Rule: Leading the way in banana diversity are DOLE® Red Bananas, a standout that brings visual impact and a subtly sweet, berrylike flavor to the shelf. With their deep crimson peel and creamy texture, Reds offer consumers something unexpected yet approachable. They ripen to a soft, rich sweetness with hints of raspberry, making them ideal for snacking, smoothies, baking, and elevated fruit displays. As shoppers continue to explore new tastes and Instagram-worthy produce, Red bananas create instant differentiation while reinforcing the banana set as dynamic, not static.

• Baby Bananas, Burro Bananas and Manzanos: Other taste and texture experiences await discovery of new of taste and texture experiences. Baby bananas petite, extra-sweet, and or premium are perfect for lunchboxes snacking occasions. Manzanos, often called “apple bananas,” bring a slightly tangy finish that appeals to adventurous eaters. Burro bananas offer a squared shape and lemony note that holds up beautifully in grilling and savory dishes.

• Plantains: A staple across Caribbean, Latin American, and African cuisines, plantains continue to gain traction as global flavors move further into mainstream North American kitchens.

Together, these varieties expand the category beyond a single SKU into a curated experience – encouraging trial, premium pricing opportunities and compelling secondary display options.

Dole’s commitment to quality, responsible sourcing, and reliable supply ensures that retailers can introduce these specialty bananas with confidence. Because in today’s produce department, growth doesn’t always mean more of the same. It can mean adding a little color.

HARNESS THE POWER OF MINECRAFT

Last year, Dole debuted a multiyear partnership with Minecraft, the world’s most popular video game, to build healthier lifestyles through interactive play, education and fruit-fueled fun, block by block.

For 2026, the alliance enters an exciting new phase – and we’re inviting our North American retailers to help us create even more excitement that increase banana appeal, consumption and sales. And this year we are inviting other fruits into the fold. We’re already working with our partners to create compelling new displays and other activations that can transform the produce section into a destination for fun, health, creativity and increased sales!

To bring the power of Minecraft into your store, contact your Dole sales rep.

DOLE AND RELATED MARKS ARE TRADEMARK OF DOLE FOOD COMPANY, INC.

DOLE FOOD COMPANY
101 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28280
Dole.com