Apple Sales Research Articles

Empowering Global Growth: Analyzing Apple's Sales Strategies in North America and Macau

Strategically, Apple specializes in research and development to gain a wide range of high-quality product recognition and a large number of loyal fans, gaining customer loyalty. At the same time, the sales team caters to the overall strategic policy of the company, providing higher quality service (apple care) and warmer service. Moreover, in the performance evaluation, if the relevant indicators have a strong correlation between the company's strategy and the interests (performance) of each team and individual, it will promote the collaborative development of the company and sales team.At the same time, in empowering the sales team, clear goals will be set within the team, giving the group consistent direction

Product differentiation in the fruit industry: Lessons from trademarked apples

AbstractWe derive price premiums for patented or trademarked apple varieties, also known as “club apples,” compared to open‐variety apples. We use an expansive retail scanner dataset, along with unique data on apple taste characteristics, to estimate monthly club apple premiums for 2008–2018. We find that club apple premiums are around 29% and have consistently decreased from 35% in 2008 to 22% in 2018. Positive club apple premiums relate to consumers' preferences for juicier, more acidic, and sweeter apples. We do not find evidence that consumers place value on the exclusivity of purchasing more expensive and limited varieties. Hence club premiums exist in the market by meeting the demand of consumer segments for apples with distinct taste attributes rather than replacing the demand of traditional consumers who prefer open varieties. We use a vector error correction framework to find short‐run and long‐run determinants of club apple premiums. In the short run, the sales of club varieties may positively associate with the sales of open varieties, given the premium and cost factors. However, in the long run, there is a negative cointegrated relationship between club apple sales, open apple sales, and club apple premiums; and an increase in club apple sales is adversely related to the open apple sales and club premiums. The high initial premiums of protected club varieties have provided incentives for the development of uniquely differentiated apple varieties, while in the long term as production expands, premiums decrease making club varieties less expensive for consumers [EconLit Citations: L66, Q11].

Building Brand Equity: The Impact of Brand Experience, Brand Love, and Brand Engagement—A Case Study of Customers’ Perception of the Apple Brand in China

Regardless of a customer’s social status, wealth, or country of origin, Apple products have been notorious for establishing trends in regard to electronic devices. As of 2019, China accounted for 17% percent of all Apple sales. This has been made possible in large part due to Chinese customers’ favorable image of the Apple brand and the positive experience with Apple products. This study aimed to examine the impact of brand experience, brand love, and brand engagement on brand equity. The brand-love mediation role between brand experience and brand engagement/brand equity was also explored. The conceptual framework was supported by social exchange and attribution theories. According to the analysis of 339 respondents from China, brand experience, brand love, and brand engagement significantly positively affects Apple’s brand equity. Additionally, it was discovered that brand love demonstrates a significant mediating role between brand experience and brand engagement/brand equity. These findings can aid other manufacturers offering similar electronic products in China to adapt their marketing and competitive strategies in order to boost their brand equity and as a result sales revenue.

Empire Apple (Malus domestica) Juice, Pomace, and Pulp Modulate Intestinal Functionality, Morphology, and Bacterial Populations In Vivo (Gallus gallus).

Approximately $20 billion of apple sales are generated annually in the United States. With an estimated 5 million tons produced yearly in the U.S. within the last decade, apple consumption is considered ubiquitous. Apples are comprised of bioactive constituents such as phytochemicals and prebiotics that may potentiate intestinal health and the gut microbiome. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Empire apple juice, pomace, and pulp soluble extracts on intestinal functionality, morphology, and the microbiome in vivo (Gallus gallus). There were five treatment groups: non-injected (NI); 18 MΩ H2O (H2O); 6% apple juice (AJ); 6% apple pomace (APo); 6% apple pulp (APu). The eggs were treated by intra-amniotic administration of the samples on day 17 of incubation. After hatching, the blood, tissue, and cecum samples were collected for further analyses—including duodenal histomorphology, hepatic and duodenal mRNA expression, and cecal bacterial populations. Crypt depth was significantly (p < 0.5) shortest in AJ when compared to APo and APu. APo and APu soluble extracts significantly improved villi surface area compared to NI and H2O control groups. The highest count of Paneth cells per crypt was observed in APo as compared to all groups. In addition, the expression of brush border membrane micronutrient metabolism and functional proteins varied between treatments. Lastly, Lactobacillus cecal microbial populations increased significantly in the AJ group, while AJ, APu, and APu increased the abundance of Clostridium (p < 0.5). Ultimately, these results indicate the potential of Empire apple pomace to improve host intestinal health and the gut microbiome.

An Improved CNN-Based Apple Appearance Quality Classification Method With Small Samples

Apple quality classification is an important means to refine apple sales market and promote apple sales. At present, most of classification methods based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) depend on the quantity of training samples to get good performance. But due to the lack of large-scale public apple appearance dataset, it is a big challenge to obtain high accuracy of apple appearance quality classification with small samples. Therefore, we propose an improved method based on CNN for apple appearance, quality classification with small samples. Firstly, support vector machine (SVM) is used for image segmentation to avoid the decrease of recognition accuracy caused by environmental noise. Secondly, the segmented image data are input into deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (DCGAN) model, which is used for data expansion. Thirdly, the improved ResNet50 (Imp-ResNet50) is proposed as follows: Replace the fully-connected layer with global average pooling layer; Add the dropout algorithm and batch normalization algorithm at the fully-connected layer; Replace the activation function ReLU with Swish. Through comparative experiments with 360 apple images, we verify the performance of the proposed method including the training image quality, the running time, and classification accuracy. The result shows that the proposed method can obtain high quality training samples and reduce the running time of the method effectively. At the same time, it can realize higher classification accuracy that is up to 96.5%, which is higher than the previous classification method.

Поточний стан та прогноз кон’юнктури ринку яблук в Україні

The purpose of the article is to consider the current state and forecast the conjuncture of the domestic apple market, taking into account the seasonality of their sale by all categories of farms. Research methods. The following methods are used in the research: analysis and synthesis, analytical generalizations, graphic - in the analysis of the production and sale of apples by various producers, foreign trade; balance sheet - when determining the market equilibrium of supply and demand, their changes and mutual influence, export and import supplies of fruits; statistical, extrapolation, design and calculation, mathematical modeling, decomposition of the time series - when forecasting the situation and sales volumes, taking into account the seasonality in the domestic apple market. Research results. The principal trends and peculiarities of functioning have been determined, the forecast of the domestic apple market development has been made, and structural changes in their export-import supplies have been established. On the basis of the formed balance of apples, the level of consumer security and expenses of the population was determined. The parameters of forecasting the sales volumes of these fruits by all categories of farms are considered. An economic forecasting model has been built taking into account the seasonal nature of the market. Scientific novelty. Methodical approaches to forecasting the apple market, taking into account the seasonal component, have been further developed, in particular, the optimal periods for forecasting, due to the specifics of the horticulture industry, have been established, which makes it possible to improve the quality and accuracy of the forecast. Practical significance. Taking into account that certain scientific aspects regarding forecasting the market conditions of fruit and berry products are debatable, the forecast of apple sales, taking into account the seasonal component, is an important element of strategic long-term planning for the development of the horticulture industry as part of the national economy. Tabl.: 2. Figs.: 2. Refs.: 15.

Welfare impacts of new demand‐enhancing agricultural products: The case of Honeycrisp apples

AbstractAgricultural research and development programs on new demand‐enhancing products have become increasingly important over the past decade. Large numbers of new agricultural products have been developed and commercialized in the United States to meet consumers’ increasingly diverse expectations for food quality. However, little is known about their economic benefits. Focusing on the apple market, we investigate the welfare impacts of the introduction of Honeycrisp apples in a market equilibrium framework. We use market data on apple sales from 61 cities across the United States between 2009 and 2015. We find the introduction of Honeycrisp increased consumer welfare, which is mainly explained by the increased number of total apple varieties. We also find that the introduction of Honeycrisp apples has increased overall market size and total apple sales. To extrapolate our results to the entire U.S. apple market, we perform a back‐of‐the‐envelope analysis and find that the introduction of Honeycrisp apples has increased total consumer welfare by about 859 million dollars during the study period. This corresponds to approximately 19% of the annual average domestic expenditures on public food and agricultural R&amp;D.

The Killer App ThatSaved the Macintosh

In 1985, Apple was in crisis and Macintosh and LaserWriter sales were plummeting. Marketing manager John Scull was tasked with saving the LaserWriter. Despite having no staff and facing resistance, Scull marshaled allies across Apple's sales and marketing organizations, its dealer channel, and third-party partners like Aldus and Adobe in order to launch a successful desktop publishing marketing program. By 1988, desktop publishing at Apple had become a $1 billion business.

An Apple a Day, Helps Keep Cancer Away!

Amount raised: N$19,948,000/U$1,672,509 Background and context: The Cancer Association of Namibia presented the project “An apple a day can keep cancer away” to one of the local commercial banks close to 2 decades ago. The concept of “Eat Healthy. Live Healthy. Prevent Cancer” became a massive hit and in subsequent years the “Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project” has become a flagship fundraiser for the association. For 1 month of the year (usually June or July - winter in Namibia) we convert all Bank Windhoek branches nationwide into “apple stores” with bank employees, CAN volunteers and school learners marketing and selling apples to raise funds for CAN, raise awareness on cancer and support screening interventions to promote earlier detection to save lives. Aim: Create awareness and educate on cancer, support the Cancer Association of Namibia financially to fund the National Cancer Outreach Program and the 2 interim homes operated by the association. Strategy/Tactics: National endeavor - for 1 month a year, the entire commercial bank is “converted” into apple stores, selling apples! Program process: An executive planning committee between Bank Windhoek as facilitator and the Cancer Association of Namibia plan and coordinates the annual event, sourcing one million red apples (the bank´s official color) from the Western Cape apple farms. Numerous project partners support the program from transport, cold storage, package and delivery, to media and sales partners. An “Apple Roadshow” kicks off the marketing and PR of the annual event, and then for one month a year the bank staff, CAN volunteers and especially high school learners (as part of the school challenge) promote bulk orders, while loose apple sales are conducted in bank branches country-wide. Costs and returns: All project partners offer their “time” and “manpower” as a donation in support of CAN through their CSI portfolio. Apples are sourced at a bulk reduced rate (± N$2, 50 each) and resold to the public at a N$5 donation per apple. What was learned: Logistics and supply chain management is a profession that must be highly respected! But, education, awareness and community collaboration makes one of the strongest support chains imaginable. Communicating “why” are we doing this, then taking the funds and “showing” what we the money goes (through the medical outreaches and sustaining the interim homes) speak to the heart of the nation. Transparency, accountability and inclusive community interaction is key when it comes to community driven fundraising.

Sygnalizacja problematyki związanej z optymalizacją podatkową pojmowaną jako pomoc publiczna na przykładzie decyzji Komisji Europejskiej w sprawie Apple

The notification of the issues connected with tax optimization perceived as state aid on the example of the decision of the European Commission in the case of the Apple groupThis article will attempt to indagate the decision of the European Commision EU 2017/1283 of the 30th of August 2016 on state aid implemented by Ireland to Apple. According to the statement of the European Commission, whilst issuing tax ruling practice which allowed the companies Apple Operations Europe hereinafter referred to as „AOE” and Apple Sales International hereinafter referred to as „ASI” to determine their corporate tax liability in the years when they were in force, Ireland has unlawfully granted state aid to AOE, ASI and the Apple group. Consequently, Ireland was required to recover the receivables. This study will be concerned with the basic concepts related to tax optimization. The discussion also delves into the most significant thesis of the aforementioned decision of the European Commission as well as to the other investigations referring to the issue of the unlawful state aid. In this essay an examination will be made to outline that the tax practices of the global concerns might have a strong impact on the stabilization of the internal market, especially whilst the competition and consumer protection law is concerned. Further analysis devotes to the negative outcomes for the EU member states and the European Union itself.

Taking the First Bite: Who Should Tax Applees $187 Billion in Ireland?

On December 19, 2016, the European Commission (hereinafter “Commission”) published its final decision in the Apple State aid case. The Commission concluded that two tax rulings granted in 1991 and 2007 on the allocation of profits to the Irish branches of Apple Sales International (ASI) and Apple Operations Europe (AOE) amounted to illegal state aid, and ordered Ireland to immediately recover this aid from Apple. The key issue in the Apple decision is where Apple’s foreign income ($187 billion, as of 2016) should be regarded as being generated. In the authors’ opinion, there is almost no basis for any argument that two-thirds of the profits of Apple Inc. were generated by functions performed, assets used and risks assumed in Ireland, where only 4 percent of its global workforce and approximately 1 percent of its customers are located. Indeed, under traditional principles, profits originate and taxes are due where value is created – that is, where the research and development is conducted. Accordingly, since almost all of Apple’s research activity takes place in the United States, Apple should remit most of its taxes there. Such view that was recently upheld by Jacob Lew, Neelie Kroes and Pascal Saint-Amans, does not take into account that 60 percent of Apple’s total net sales occurs overseas and the significance of customer market in value creation. In addition, it is also inconsistent with the position taken by the Internal Revenue Service in the Glaxo case, i.e., intangibles derive their value primarily in the country where marketing activities are carried out and not where research and development activity is performed. This paper discusses how the arguments presented by the IRS in Glaxo can be used by high-tax EU countries to justify locating extra profits to sales and marketing support operations performed by Apple Europe retail subsidiaries. While ordering Ireland to recover €13 billion in illegal tax benefits, the Commission left the door open for other tax authorities to claim for Apple’s commercial risks, sales and other activities that might have taken place in their countries.

Finger Fruits: Pre-Sliced Fruit in Schools Increases Selection and Intake

Background: It is often assumed that children avoid fruit in school cafeterias because of higher relative prices and a preference for other foods. Laddering interviews reveal that younger children with small mouths or braces find whole fresh fruit difficult to eat. Older girls avoid it because it is messy and unattractive to eat.Purpose: To determine if offering pre-sliced fruit would increase the selection and intake of fruit among middle school students.Design: Three out of six middle schools were randomly given commercial fruit slicers and instructed to use them when students ordered apples. The selection and consumption of sliced apples was compared to selection and consumption of whole apples in control schools.Setting/Participants: Cafeterias in six public middle schools in Wayne County, New York. All students who ordered a lunch on days when data was collected. Intervention: In the fall semester of 2011, treatment schools were given a standard commercial fruit slicer and instructed to use it when students requested apples. Production and waste measurements were taken by trained researchers.Main Outcome Measures: Apple and other fruit sales, percentage wasted, and consumed.Results: Apple sales increased by 41% and consumption increased by 17%.Conclusions: Using the behavioral economics principle of convenience, this study shows that sliced fruit is more appealing than unsliced fruit, simply due to eating convenience and neatness. Opportunities exist for identifying effective applications of convenience and other environmental changes that promote healthy eating behavior and decrease waste.

Pre-Sliced Fruit in School Cafeterias

<h3>Background</h3> It is often assumed that children avoid fruit in school cafeterias because of higher relative prices and preferences for other foods. Interviews with children reveal that eating whole fresh fruit can be difficult for those with small mouths or braces. Older girls find whole fruits messy and unattractive to eat. <h3>Purpose</h3> To determine the effect of offering pre-sliced fruit in schools on selection and intake. <h3>Design</h3> Three of six schools were assigned randomly to serve apples in slices. Three control schools served apples whole. Selection, consumption, and waste of apples were measured prior to and during treatment. <h3>Setting/participants</h3> Cafeterias in six public middle schools in Wayne County NY in 2011. Participants included all students who purchased lunch on days when data were collected. <h3>Intervention</h3> Treatment schools were provided with a standard commercial fruit slicer, and cafeteria staff members were instructed to use it when students requested apples. Trained researchers recorded how much of each apple was consumed and how much was wasted in both control and treatment schools. <h3>Main outcome measures</h3> Daily apple sales, percentage of an apple serving consumed per student, and percentage of an apple serving wasted per student. <h3>Results</h3> Data were analyzed in 2012. Schools that used fruit slicers to pre-slice fruit increased average daily apple sales by 71% compared to control schools (<i>p</i><0.01). The percentage of students who selected apples and ate more than half increased by 73% (<i>p</i>=0.02) at schools that served pre-sliced fruit, and the percentage that wasted half or more decreased by 48% (<i>p</i>=0.03). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Sliced fruit is more appealing to children than whole fruit because it is easier and tidier to eat. This study applies the principle of convenience from behavioral economics and provides an example of a scalable, low-cost environmental change that promotes healthy eating and decreases waste.

A Multiple-discrete/Continuous Model of Price Promotion

Understanding the effect of temporary price reductions, or price promotions, on sales of consumer packaged goods is an area of ongoing interest, both in academia and in practice. Price promotions, however, are becoming an increasingly important method of managing consumer demand for fresh produce items. Modeling the impact of price promotions must take into account the differentiated nature of fresh produce and the fact that consumers tend to purchase multiple items of only a few of the products available to them. Neither a continuous nor a discrete model of demand is appropriate. In this paper, we apply a multiple-discrete/continuous model of fresh produce demand to study the impact of price promotion on retail apple sales. Our findings show that the brand switching/category incidence effect of promotion is closer to 65/35 than the more usual 80/20 rule (80 percent of the effect is brand switching and 20 percent purchase incidence) when the nature of the decision is appropriately taken into consideration.

Newspaper advertisement characteristics and consumer preferences for apples: A mimic model approach

A structural latent variable model is used to simultaneously determine the affect of newspaper advertisement characteristics on consumer preferences for apples and on demand for apple varieties. The advertisement characteristics considered included size, color, and logos. The estimated apple preference variable is an important explanatory variable in apple variety demand. Model specifications that exclude the variable tend to overstate own-price demand elasticities. Ad size has a positive impact on Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Gala sales, but a negative impact on Red Delicious sales. Color ads, though, were only found to significantly influence Red Delicious sales. The use of a logo had no impact on apple sales. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Dynamic Model of Fresh Fruit Promotion: A Household Production Approach

AbstractMany studies consider the dynamic effects of commodity promotion on demand, but few derive the theoretical basis for these effects in a model of optimal consumer behavior. This study develops a dynamic household production model of U.S. fresh fruit consumption, which it uses to evaluate the effectiveness of advertising and promotion expenditures by the Washington Apple Commission. Estimates from a dynamic‐dual Generalized Leontief system show direct advertising to be marginally more effective than retail promotion in increasing apple sales, but advertising has positive spillover effects to sales of other fruits, whereas promotion reduces sales of competing products.