Oprah boost brings sales


“Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things” show endorsed two Oregon companies, giving a major boost to their sales.

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“Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things” show endorsed Harry & David and Nike, giving a major boost to their sales.

It is the last year Oprah plans to give out her Favorite Things endorsement before moving to her own network, OWN, next year.

“There’s a wonderful authenticity to Pacific Northwest quality,” says Gail Simon, vice president of brand marketing and communications for Harry & David.

Harry & David makes and sells Centerville Pie Company’s chicken pie. The pie — a giant, baked with a pound of chicken and nearly a pound of gravy — shared the stage during the second part of Oprah’s show, along with the iPad and the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.

By noon on the recent Black Friday, the pies were sold out at the Harry & David shop in the Woodburn Company Stores location. About the same time, the Harry & David store in Troutdale reported a dozen remained. At the Troutdale store, which receives new items every Tuesday, staffers were recommending signing up for a waiting list, calling in early to hold a pie, or ordering on the website.

Read more at OregonLive.com.

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