MARKETING OF APPLES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27896, 18 February 1956, Page 10

MARKETING OF APPLES

DIRECT SALES TO PUBLIC BOARD ANNOUNCES TWO SCHEMES (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 16. Two schemes to sell fruit direct to the public were announced today by the general manager of the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board (Mr D. F. Campbell). Mr Campbell said that the board had decided not to channel its case sales campaign through retailers, because their charges and commissions wen unacceptable. The board had offeree the scheme to retailers on the basis of 2s a case commission, but they hac not accepted this offer. Mr Campbell said that small Cox’s Orange apples would be available at the end of February for 25s a case, and Jonathans about mid-March, both large and small, for £1 a case. The apples would carry a guarantee that if the customer was not satisfied money would be either refunded or the apples replaced. Mr Campbell said that the scheme would be launched in Wellington this week, and would be gradually extended to Auckland, and thereafter to other districts. "The price included delivery to consumers’ residences in urban areas, or the nearest railway station in country areas. Another decision made by the board to aid marketing was the selling of pre-packed Jonathan apples in 41b plastic bags, which the customer could buv with confidence both in quality and price. Mail Order Organisation If the public response is favourable, the board would become a giant. Dominion-wide mail order organisation. Mr Campbell said. The board realised this and had the facilities for it. Mr Campbell said that advertisements for the apples would be inserted in newspapers. In these would be a coupon which the buyer would fill in and post. A receipt would be issued and the apples sent from the store by rail or carrier. There would be no extra cost above the advertised price for transport.

The scheme will start at Wellington and will be extended through the country. The board has cool stores at Wellington. Auckland and Christchurch. and a store at Dunedin. Orders will be received and fruit distributed a 5 these centres. Mr Campbell said he expected that f he fruit would be delivered within a day or two. Even if there was a rush and fruit had to be sent from the growing areas, he did not think the delay would be more than a week at the most. Buyers would be advised of the time they could expect the fruit by a card sent on receipt of the order. Although the board had an agreement with the retailers on the maximum margin of profit, there was no wav to enforce it. and the retailers were making an average of 50 per cent, on cost Mr Campbell said. The board did not plan to go into the mail order business with pears at the moment, but if the demand was there it would do so, he added.