Peppers are a department mainstay that continues to draw more consumers in each year. Whether they star in a snack spread, seasonal salad, or sizzling atop an entree, the category has landed a spot on most shoppers’ weekly—and even daily—menus, and for good reason. With so many colorful offerings bringing light to the sector, it’s almost impossible to pass up. Dive into these exclusive category insights and discover all you need to know about the standout varieties and retail strategies currently taking peppers to the next level…
“Bell peppers are a cornerstone of any fresh produce department. They offer strong movement, bright colors, and year-round demand, and their flexibility makes them a popular choice for both healthy snacking and meal preparation. For merchandising, color is key. A display of green, red, yellow, and orange peppers together creates an eye-catching visual that helps drive incremental sales. Setting up near other veg items such as tomatoes, mini sweet peppers, and onions helps with meal ideas and volume purchases. Signage can also be used to highlight more ideas, such as creative recipes or price-saving options. However, nothing impacts sales more than a healthy, well-maintained, fresh produce department. Maintenance is critical—removing and rotating product as often as possible and displaying fresh quality at all times sells.”
“Today’s consumers want fresh produce that fits seamlessly into their lives—bold flavor, real convenience, and options that work whether they’re prepping dinner or reaching for a snack. Peppers deliver on all three. Sweet S’NAPS™ was designed to give consumers a crave-worthy crunch that rivals their favorite chips, but with a clean, fresh appeal. Sweet Thrills™ Seedless Mini Peppers take convenience even further, eliminating prep for families who want great taste without the extra steps. Both products are creating new consumption occasions and expanding what peppers can be in consumers’ lives. When we merchandise peppers as everyday snacking solutions, we help shoppers see peppers differently. That’s how we grow the category and build the repeat purchase behavior that drives long-term value.”
“Peppers are a summer staple, and May is the perfect time to lean into grilling-forward varieties that bring both flavor and color to outdoor cooking. Mucci Farms Rustico™ Sweet Long Peppers are a standout with their firm texture, rich sweetness, and rustic shape. As consumers shift into ‘grill mode,’ they’re looking for easy inspiration, so cross-merchandising Rustico Sweet Long Peppers with marinades, olive oil, fresh herbs, and grill-friendly proteins can drive impulse purchases and bigger baskets. Overall, the pepper category continues to benefit from health-driven choices, premium snacking, and culinary exploration—and grilling season is where those trends really heat up. With our full summer lineup, retailers will be able to attract shoppers looking for high-quality products that pack a true punch of flavor.”
“At Prime Time, we specialize in a pepper for all occasions, and May is one of the most important months for the category. Consumer demand increases as shoppers look for fresh, colorful ingredients for grilling, entertaining, and snacking. Field-grown peppers play a key role by delivering strong value, bold flavor, and volume efficiency for foodservice and at-home slicing and dicing. At the same time, our vertically integrated greenhouse pepper program provides consistently shaped, high-quality fruit with vibrant color and dependable supply. Retailers that clearly differentiate field and greenhouse offerings can meet multiple price points while strengthening the overall pepper category. Strategic merchandising focused on color, convenience, and versatility helps drive engagement, increase basket size, and keep peppers top-of-mind throughout the spring and early summer.”
“The fresh bell pepper category remains a vibrant, high-performing staple in the produce department, delivering year-round color, crunch, and nutrition that resonates with today’s health-conscious shoppers. Key varieties to spotlight include the classic green bells—mild, crisp, and the top volume seller for everyday value—alongside sweeter, riper red, yellow, and orange bells that offer superior flavor and visual pop. The explosive growth of mini sweet peppers has been a game-changer, driving impulse purchases as convenient, kid-friendly snacks and lunchbox favorites. For retailers, effective merchandising is essential. I love old school, eye-catching rainbow or color-blocked displays, cross-merchandised with items that spark ideas for fajitas, salsas, and side dishes. Maintain freshness by properly misting, rotating, and controlling humidity. When done right, this colorful, versatile category consistently sweetens produce profits.” 
