DailyLimerick.com

Keeping Bananas Under Wraps

October 24, 2009

Convenience stores are a $623 billion industry, though revenues have declined because of reduced cigarette sales.  Offering fresh fruit has been seen as the holy grail—it is an item desired by customers, but lacks a long shelf-life to be cost-effective.  7-Eleven is hoping to change this with plastic-wrapped bananas appearing in 27 Dallas-area stores.  The special plastic wrapper designed by Fresh Del Monte slows the ripening process and doubles the shelf-life from two days to five days.  However, it is receiving criticism from environmental groups for adding a cover to something that already has sustainable packaging.  If successful, 7 –Eleven will gain significant competitive advantage and the plastic-wrapped bananas could appear in almost all its stores by early 2010.  

Lower cigarette sales leave convenience stores cash strapped
High demand for fresh foods made 7-Eleven adapt
Will the fruit’s longer shelf life
Cause environmental strife?
The attention on these bananas will be rapt