Here are five tips for optimizing milk at retail.

As milk alternatives made from almonds, coconut and some other decidedly non-dairy sources increase in popularity, dairy milk sales continue on a downward spiral.

Though sales are down for the overall milk category, there is still promise thanks to flavored milks and whole milk — both of these segments saw unit-sale increases.

While skim/low-fat milk sales are struggling, flavored milk is a beacon of light and whole milk unit sales are up.

Though overall milk sales are still struggling, whole milk brings good news. Unit sales are up and dollar sales are growing faster than those of skim/low-fat milk.

Editor's note: the Milk Processor Education Program yesterday announced it is undertaking a new integrated marketing campaign called Milk Life. The campaign will focus on the nutrition in milk, especially its protein content. In this exclusive report, MilkPEP Interim CEO Julie Kadison explains the decision.

Creating new segments will help protect milk’s relevance, while developing products for those segments will help revitalize sales. Think about how a completely breakthrough product such as the Swiffer Sweeper can revolutionize a category — a new product of this magnitude can help capture sales and bring consumers back to fluid milk.