In place of picking up a single rose from the supermarket on Valentine's Day, consumers in Hong Kong, China had the chance to purchase a unique strawberry gift for their loved ones.
CitySuper, a self-described "mega lifestyle specialty store," packaged rare individual strawberries that were imported from Japan by the box, making it possible for consumers to share a single, premium berry with a loved one. The boxed strawberry gift's exclusivity led it to be priced at a cost of about $30.
While the idea of purchasing a single strawberry for almost $30 might seem like an outrageous idea to some, last year a supermarket in Japan's Hyoko Prefecture began selling bunches of 30 Ruby Roman grapes for $10,900. Fruits are traditionally given as gifts to others in Japan as a gesture of appreciation and relationship-building.
Boxed Strawberry Gifts
A Supermarket in Hong Kong Sold Individual Berries for Valentine's Day
Trend Themes
1. Individual Fruit Gifts - Opportunity for supermarkets to offer unique and exclusive fruit gifts packaged for special occasions like Valentine's Day.
2. Premium Food Gifting - Growing market for high-end food items as luxury gifts, attracting consumers who seek unique and indulgent experiences.
3. Exotic Fruit Imports - Increasing demand for rare and imported fruits, creating business opportunities for retailers to source and offer unique fruit varieties.
Industry Implications
1. Supermarkets - Supermarkets can tap into the trend of individual fruit gifts by offering customized packaging and unique fruit selections for special occasions.
2. Luxury Food and Beverage - Luxury food brands and gourmet retailers can target the premium food gifting trend by creating curated gift sets and highlighting the exclusivity and quality of their products.
3. Import and Export - Businesses involved in importing and exporting fruits can capitalize on the trend of exotic fruit imports by sourcing rare fruits from different regions and making them available in local markets.