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New Products Usherin New Marketing YearAfter a remarkable sales year where established product lines each posted double-digit salesgrowth, North American Consumer marketing is keeping the ball rolling with new productslaunching this fall. From Snack Almonds to Nut Thins and Almond Breeze, new additions to theproduct line are sure to please a wide range of consumers craving healthy snacking alternatives.The expanding product lines opened the door for Blue Diamond’s entry into new grocery segments. In addition tohaving a presence on shelves in the snack, natural foods and dairy sections, expect to see Blue Diamond enteringproduce and single-serve beverage categories in full force.CORNERING THE MARKETThin Shell Almonds Welcomed in Produce SectionNew Fresh Roasted Thin Shell Almonds enter the produce section backed by a wealth of consumerresearch. With the in-shell nut category sales up double-digits compared to a year ago, NorthAmerican Consumer marketing thinks there is no better time to capitalize on the category’ssuccess. The produce section offers a unique opportunity to enter a highly trafficked area ofthe grocery store and as a grower-owned cooperative, it is a unique opportunity to presentBlue Diamond Almonds amongst other commodity products.“We have such great brand awareness in the snack almond segment that making this moveto produce made perfect sense,” Al Greenlee, Marketing Director, said.The product is perfect for men and women looking for a unique tasting snack that is funto eat. According to a “State of the Snack Industry” report from 2011, 55 percent ofconsumers often eat snacks for enjoyment and consumers are snacking significantly morenow than they were just two years ago. In a product test, 92 percent of consumers showedpositive interest to Fresh Roasted Thin Shell Almonds, confirming that the product is “unique,appetizing and tastes great!”“I would recommend these to anyone I know who enjoys eating in-shell peanuts,” said oneconsumer. “Similar experience, but a better tasting product!”Blue Diamond’s Thin Shell Almonds come in two flavors, Hint of Sea Salt and Unsalted. They are brined in a seasoningsolution and delicately roasted, leaving a delicious tasting almond in a thin-shell that you easily crack open by hand,providing the satisfying crunch of cracking open their almonds and enjoying them in a whole new way!Almond Breeze Now Easier On The GoOn the whole, Almond Breeze experienced a very strong year, posting salesincreases of 28 percent for aseptic varieties and 59 percent for refrigeratedproducts. Blue Diamond’s popular non-dairy beverage is now easier toenjoy than ever as it joins the single-serve beverage category with threeof the line’s most popular flavors: Original, Unsweetened Original andUnsweetened Vanilla.The decision to enter this category was based on consumer feedback,according to Suzanne Hagener, Senior Marketing Manager for AlmondBreeze. “Our Almond Breeze consumers are looking for convenience andmobility. This product line really speaks to our Get Your Good Going campaignas it allows consumers to go about their lives with our easily accessibleproduct in tow,” she explained.More and more, Almond Breeze marketers are finding that consumers aretaking their health into their own hands and portion control is one way to32 Almond Facts NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012