Patti Labelle’s new sweet potato pies to Wal-Mart stores
The September release of Patti Labelle’s new sweet potato pies to Wal-Mart stores initially saw moderate sales—until a recent social media video review by singer James Wright.
The Facebook clip of Wright opening the package, taking several bites, and breaking into song went viral, sending curious viewers to Wal-Mart stores around the country to get their own sample.
The video logged an astounding 8.5 million views, earning the singer a phone call from Labelle and appearances on several television talk shows. As a result, Wal-Mart has been unable to keep up with the overwhelming demand for the pies. According to Kerry Robinson, Wal-Mart vice president for bakery and deli the treat was selling a pie per second last weekend, after the video went viral.
Sonja Edwards journeyed six miles from Silver Spring, Md. to a downtown store for a pie, only to find they were already gone. Edwards, along with several hundred shoppers, took it in stride.
“I’m from the South, I know how to cook my own sweet potato pie,” Edwards said. “It was curiosity and a bit of laziness that made me want one, but I’ll get over it.”
According to Robinson’s estimates, approximately $2.3 million worth of pies were sold this past weekend alone. While demand for the $3.48 pies has emptied shelves in Wal-Mart warehouses across the country, sellers on websites such as eBay are asking as much as $50 each for them.