One of the most exciting opportunities in grocery retail is helping customers build a bigger basket – not just by increasing produce sales but by bringing the entire store into the equation.
When departments work together, they create meal solutions that make shopping easier for customers while driving sales across multiple categories.
Why cross-merchandising works
Today’s shoppers are busier than ever and often visit the store looking for quick, convenient meal ideas.
Rather than shopping for individual ingredients, many consumers have shifted to a meal-based approach, seeking solutions that save time and effort.
Cross-merchandising in the produce department provides several key benefits:
- Convenience – Pre-cut, pre-portioned and pre-cooked foods make meal prep easier.
- Ease of planning – Shoppers can find everything they need in one place, eliminating the need to search the entire store.
- Versatility – Customers can mix and match ingredients to fit their preferences.
- Variety and discovery – Curated displays introduce customers to new flavors, cuisines and meal ideas.
By strategically pairing complementary items across departments, stores can create an engaging shopping experience that builds a bigger basket and customer satisfaction.
Creative meal solution displays
The produce department is the perfect place to build these solutions, as it’s often a focal point of the store.
Here are a few winning cross-merchandising ideas:
Build better burgers
A themed burger display is a great way to showcase meal solutions. Bring in:
- Ground beef or pre-made patties from the meat department;
- Signature buns from the bakery;
- A selection of sliced cheeses;
- Bacon, ketchup, mustard and other condiments; and
- Side options like coleslaw, potato salad or chips.
On the produce side, feature lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles alongside convenient Crazy Fresh options like diced onions or a pre-packed burger topping kit. The goal is to provide everything needed for the meal in one easy-to-shop space to build a bigger basket.
Taco night
Nothing brings families together like tacos. A dedicated display could include:
- Ground beef, shredded chicken or seasoned meat
- Hard and soft taco shells
- Shredded cheese, sour cream and salsa
Produce items like shredded lettuce, tomatoes, diced onions, jalapeños, cilantro and avocados create a vibrant, fresh component to the meal. Adding in Crazy Fresh guacamole or pico de gallo makes prep even easier.
Stir fry night
With more shoppers looking for quick and healthy meal options, a stir fry display is a great solution. Pair:
- Pre-cut chicken, beef or tofu;
- Ready-made stir-fry sauce; and
- Pre-cooked rice or noodles.
In the produce section, feature stir fry veggie blends, fresh garlic, ginger and green onions. Crazy Fresh stir fry kits make it even easier for customers to grab and go.
Seasonal and specialty displays
Cross-merchandising can also be tailored to different times of the year or specific customer lifestyles:
- Lifestyle-based: organic, keto or family-friendly meal kits;
- Seasonal: Grilling season, fresh summer salads or winter comfort foods; and
- Cuisine-based: Italian pasta night, Mediterranean mezze platters or Asian-inspired meals.
During the holidays, shifting the focus to appetizers and entertaining is another smart strategy.
Displays featuring fresh mozzarella and tomatoes for Caprese salad or cream cheese, crackers and Crazy Fresh pomegranate salsa can help party planning.
Let’s build the basket together
Cross-merchandising isn’t just about convenience – it’s about creating an enjoyable shopping experience that inspires customers while driving incremental sales through building a bigger basket.
By collaborating with other departments and planning seasonal or weekly meal solutions, we can help customers shop smarter and build bigger baskets effortlessly.
With the right approach, the produce department becomes more than just a destination for fresh fruits and vegetables – it becomes the starting point for an entire meal. Let’s work together to make it happen.
[Related: Winning The Big Game In Produce Department With Crazy Fresh]