Wal-Mart Anticipates Record Breaking Grapefruit Sales
BENTONVILLE, Ark., January 4, 2007 – Just 96 hours into 2007, statistics from Wal-Mart show that Americans have resolved to start the new year off with a sour taste in their mouths… by eating grapefruit… lots of grapefruit! Four days into the new year, Wal-Mart has seen a surge in grapefruit sales with January anticipated to set a new record, currently seeing more than 15% lift in bagged grapefruit sales compared to same store sales during this time last year. With a year-to-date (beginning 2/1/2006) increase of more than 45% in large bulk grapefruit sales, this may indicate that, more than ever, Americans are trying to keep their health and wellness resolutions. With 127 million Americans shopping at Wal-Mart every week, it appears one thing is certain… grapefruit is one sought-after fruit!
These high sales numbers come as no surprise, considering 2007’s most popular New Year’s resolution: achieve a healthier lifestyle by eating better and exercising. A study currently being conducted by researchers at the George Washington University may give Americans even more reason to eat this delicious fruit. While the study is not completed, it is already making news, as researchers are finding that eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice appear to assist weight loss.
“The popularity of grapefruit, along with diet category products like SlimFast, is a strong indication that our customers are interested in selections that support a healthy lifestyle,” said Ron McCormick, Wal-Mart’s vice president of produce. “We’re hoping these sales trends signify that our shoppers will stick to their healthy resolutions and beat the statistics claiming one-third of all resolutions are broken within a week.”
To empower shoppers to keep this year’s resolutions, Wal-Mart is also stocked with hundreds of healthy food options, fitness equipment, gear and stylish workout apparel to help make a healthy resolution a healthful lifestyle. Customers can also shop Wal-Mart for the best value on vitamins. – a recent pricing survey indicated that Wal-Mart’s vitamin offerings cost 33% less than competing drug stores. Look for: fitness DVDs ($9.44), Image Treadmills ($374.57-$468.44), yoga mats ($9.32) and the Impex Competitor home gym ($194.44).
About Wal-Mart
Every week, more than 127 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $245 million to local United States communities. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmart.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.