Pine River is doing more than wishing shoppers a happy Easter. In fact, the brand is guaranteeing a top-notch celebration with the quality and flavor of its delicious cheese spreads. As Easter-themed merchandising plans begin to take form, I spoke with President Ian Behm and Sales Director Kayla Bohn about how retailers can maximize sales with this already popular lineup.
“As families gather to celebrate Easter, we typically observe an increase in demand as individuals host gatherings and provide snacks and appetizers for their guests,” Ian explains. “There is no single cheese spread flavor that wouldn't complement Easter celebrations. Each spread offers a distinct character—whether your guests are seeking our classic favorites, such as Sharp Cheddar and Port Wine, or exploring our innovative, unique options, like Maple Bacon or Kickin' Mango. With 24 diverse flavors to choose from, shoppers are sure to find the ideal option to satisfy their guests' preferences.”
So, how can you harness the demand behind this powerful portfolio to maximize cheese sales in the lead-up to Easter?
To optimize the merchandising of its spreads for maximum sales, Pine River recommends positioning its offerings alongside complementary items such as crackers, bread, jams, and other accompaniments. Live and passive sampling is another strong play when it comes to enticing shoppers to add more to their carts.
“Once consumers experience the quality of our spreads, adding them to their cart becomes an easy decision,” Kayla adds. “For retailers carrying our shelf-stable snack spreads, cross-merchandising in the snack aisle or liquor department also offers an excellent opportunity to drive further sales.”
Pine River’s spread lineup is crafted in small batches to maintain the integrity and authenticity of its recipes. The supplier exclusively sources premium Grade A Cheddar, Butter, and Whey from Wisconsin to ensure the finest quality in every spread.
“We produce the most award-winning cheese spreads globally, with these accolades reflecting our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of quality in both ingredients and production processes,” Kayla continues. “We aim to showcase the versatility of our cheese spreads to both retailers and consumers. They are no longer limited to simply spreading on crackers; our spreads can be incorporated into a wide range of recipes, including paninis, mashed or baked potatoes, mac and cheese, or used as a flavorful base for pizza or flatbread. Pine River Cheese Spreads are also an ideal addition to any charcuterie board. Shoppers can effortlessly pair our spreads with other cheeses and accompaniments to craft a memorable experience for their guests.
Additional recipe ideas and inspiration can be found here. For more merchandising insights across the specialty space, leave a tab open to DMN!
