25th Annual Masters of Merchandising: MAURICE A. AUERBACH, INC.

April 4, 2026 | 4 min to read

Submit release Save for later

GARLIC

A high-demand item in home cooking and the food industry, garlic promises even greater growth. The average American consumes close to two pounds a year and every garlic sale means the sale of additional items from produce and other areas of the store. Stores can capitalize on the garlic trend with focus on a few key areas:

EFFECTIVE DISPLAYS

Make displays visible

Bigger and nicer-looking heads of garlic on the shelf directly correlate to higher garlic sales; shoppers will purchase more if heads look especially attractive

Build small secondary displays in other areas of the department and store

Include a mix of whole bulbs, 5-bulb packaged garlic and jar garlic

Include a few SKUs of organic

CONVENIENCE AND VARIETY

Shoppers want options! Offer a full range of garlic and complementary products including various processed and semi-processed forms, such as whole peeled garlic, diced garlic, and jarred products.

Specialty garlic options spark shopper interest.

Quality garlic is available year-round with supplies from California, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Spain and China. Maximize garlic sales by promoting a diversity of items including red garlic, elephant garlic, peeled, packaged, braided and certified organic in addition to the standard bulk.

SHOPPER COMMUNICATION

Call attention to the display with signage

Highlight specialty items, such as elephant garlic, to spark consumer interest

Promote health benefits: fat-free, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free

Provide recipes and usage ideas

QUALITY FOCUS

Pay attention to the display; shoppers want quality.

Keep it clean and dry; skins of garlic tend to shed with handling.

Rotate frequently; fresh garlic sitting out for long periods will tend to dry out.

Store garlic in a cool, well-ventilated place and keep dry.

Do not mist garlic.

Attractively packaged and ready to be displayed, these bags can be custom packed.

PROMOTE THESE GARLIC ATTRIBUTES

Nutrient-dense flavor: Garlic adds deep flavor to cooking while still providing essential nutrients and health benefits. Garlic is an easy, healthy way to give food great flavor.

Versatility in cooking: Garlic can be used from breakfast to dinner and throughout the day in any meal or snack. It can be sautéed, baked, roasted, or even eaten raw.

Health benefits: Garlic supports heart health and contains a host of essential nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, and selenium. It is a healthy alternative to butter and seasonings.