Specialties making inroads Consumers seek out items after tasting them at restaurants. By Chaille B

8/4/1997 12:00:00 AM

By Intern

Specialties making inroads Consumers seek out items after tasting them atrestaurants.

By Chaille Brindley

Staff Writer

Peppers and other specialty items equal hot, hot, hot sales, Alabama retailerssay.

``Specialty items are selling better than ever before because of the emphasison low-calorie foods by the media,'' said Bob West, produce director forPiggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. Inc., Bessemer.

As more consumers try ethnic food at restaurants, specialty items can be foundon more of their grocery shopping lists.

``We continue to see increased demand for red and yellow peppers,'' said DonParsons, produce director of Associated Grocers of the South Inc., Birmingham,Ala. ``All peppers seem to be increasing in sales because of growth in thelocal ethnic populations.''

Summer is the time of year more Hispanics move into the area because of thetomato harvests and a time when retailers must adjust sales strategy, Parsonssaid. More Hispanics working in the area means an increase in sales ofspecialty items such as tomatillos, kimchee, and bok choy.

The increased availability of specialty items makes them more cost-effectivefor shoppers. Yarbrough Produce Co. Inc., Birmingham, is making specialtyitems such as jicama and avocados readily available to the Birmingham area,said vice president Kenny Yarbrough Jr.

Retailers want to know that a steady supply is available before trying tocarry or push new products. The increased availability will only help boostsales even more, he said.

Premium products such as the Del Monte Gold pineapple offered by Miami's DelMonte Fresh Produce Co. sell well, especially in Alabama's larger cities,retailers say.

``Our customers are responding favorably to quality produce and sizes,'' saidGus Bergstrom, director of marketing for Winn-Dixie Montgomery Inc.,Montgomery, Ala. Del Monte Gold is the only type of pineapple Winn-Dixiecarries, he said.

Sales of premium products depend on the store, West said. For some stores thecustomers go more for price, while in others customers will pay more forhigher quality produce, he said.

Across the board, retailers agreed fresh-cut and packaged produce was thefastest growth category.

``Prepacked variety salads and cut vegetables are growing every See Retail,Page 2C s