When summer winds down and cooler temperatures bring the first whiff of football season, the intensity spills over from the football field to the parking lot – it’s time for tailgating! Whether it’s a snack or a smorgasbord, beef is the perfect grab-and-go accompaniment for celebrating before the game. Here are some merchandising ideas to help you make the most of tailgating fever to bump up beef sales:
Bring Team Spirit to Your Meat Department
- Get your customers in the mood to cheer on their favorite teams with sports-themed decorations in the meat case like footballs, helmets, goal posts, etc.
- Show your support of your local NFL or college teams by using the teams’ colors on signs in the meat department.
-
Don’t forget high school ball: use signage in the meat case to suggest beef as a great choice for a casual get-together either before or after the big game between cross-town rivals.
Give Beef Fans What They Want
-
Be ready for burger lovers by stocking the meat case with a variety of ground beef categories, including Lean, Chuck, Round and Sirloin. Check out the Category report for Q3 ’09 to see how these different categories performed last year. Consider stocking patty value packs for those customers planning to feed a crowd on game day. Ground beef also makes a starring appearance at tailgating parties in chili and meatballs, so be sure to have plenty on hand.
• Don't forget to tie into the tailgating promotion with Anheuser-Busch's Bud to give your customers ultimate savings. In-store tearpads on Bud Family displays offer up to $10 off beef mail-in rebate offers in 20,000 stores.
• Steaks and pot roasts are also appealing to tailgaters, because they can be prepared in advance and sliced for tasty on-the-go sandwiches. Take a look at these popular tailgating beef cuts:
Beef Top Sirloin Steak and Beef Top Loin Steak
These grilling favorites are delicious sliced thin for sandwiches and wraps. Stock plenty of rolls, buns, tortillas and pita bread so customers can easily assemble their favorite sandwiches. Steak and Caramelized Onion Sandwiches is a tasty sandwich that gives your customers more time at the game because it only takes 25 to 30 minutes to cook and prepare.
Top Round Steak
Marinating brings out this cut’s great flavor. Merchandise with bottled marinades from Kraft ® A.1.® and use signage messaging like: "Marinate on Saturday, grill and serve for the Big Game on Sunday!" Salads can be tough to deal with at tailgates, but throw a little Caesar salad with steak on a hoagie roll and you have the Caesar Steak Sandwich, a perfect addition to a tailgate menu.
Beef Chuck Pot Roast and Beef Bottom Round Pot Roast
These slow-simmered cuts offer fork-tender chunks for stew or melt-in-your mouth slices for sandwiches. Remind customers how easy these cuts are to prepare with labels like: “Perfect for the Slow Cooker. Shredded Beef Filling can be used in two ways, for Tangy BBQ Sandwiches or Chipotle Tacos. Both are sure to make tailgater’s taste buds tingle!
Help Tailgating Customers Grab-and-Go
- Make it easy for your customers to pick up condiments by stocking plastic bottles of ketchup, mustard, mayo and relish in the meat department.
- Help customers round out their menus by merchandising with other tailgating essentials like chips, pretzels, soft drinks and beer.
- Create a "Tailgating Headquarters" section in the meat department that includes small grills, charcoal, coolers and paper goods for the ultimate portable party!
By implementing these merchandising ideas, you can be sure your store will be the first stop on the way to the game.
Source: The Beef Checkoff