Posts filed under 'Gift Basket Supplies'
“As more than 2 million U.S. couples sort out their wedding budgets–which averaged $28,732 in 2007, according to The Wedding Report Inc.–they’ll collectively be spending more than $62.8 billion this year to make the experience as memorable and personal as possible.” Full Article
Wow! So how can you create a niche for your gift basket business within this lucrative industry? Maybe it’s best to start in your own community and find out what goods and services are already being offered to brides and grooms. Over the slow summer months, visit some of these businesses in your neighborhood.
- Florists
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Bridal Shops
- Tuxedo Rental Shops
- Hair and Nail Salons
- Bakeries
- Photographers
- Caterers
At each stop, make sure you leave information about the services that you offer and discuss how you might work cooperatively. For example, a florist who only does bouquets and reception flowers may be willing to give your name to the bride who is interested in “welcome” gift baskets for guests who are coming in from out of town. The photographer might allow you to leave one of your samples in his showroom.
Also check out your Yellow Pages for “bridal or wedding consultants”. In the past decade, the need for someone to “take care of all the details” has grown and consultants are involved in all phases of planning and organizing the wedding. Creating a good working relationship with the local wedding consultant may go a long way to helping you get involved in the wedding business.
You may also want to think about carrying some wedding items that you can include in your gourmet basket. Wine glasses for the couple’s first toast, a guest register book and plumed pen, or a wedding garter would be perfect accessories to add in your wedding gourmet designs.
August 5th, 2008
Although we are all concerned about the economy, it’s still important to plan now for your holiday line of gourmet baskets and gifts. It is more critical than ever to offer something unique to your customers. While gourmet treats are always appreciated, consumers are looking more and more for gift items that are keepsakes.
Apex Gift Foods is now offering a line of holiday table accessories, including placemats, coasters, napkins and rings and table runners. These exquisite items, in ivory satin and embroidered with red, jeweled poinsettias, will be a lovely accessory to add to your holiday gourmet designs. Go to Apex Gift Foods for more details about this exclusive line of holiday table accessories.
Keep your eyes peeled for gourmet gifts and accessories that will make your gourmet baskets stand out from the crowd. Your customers, who are sending gift baskets to their friends, families and business associates, want their gift to be meaningful and remembered. Try something new in your designs and you’ll find that customers will come back for more!
July 22nd, 2008
It’s in all the news: plastic vs. paper! I just read about some proposed legislation to require consumers to pay a fee to carry groceries home in plastic or paper! Personally, I am a supporter and follower of the “reusable bag” camp. If you are too, consider a new gift to add to your gourmet baskets: Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags.
Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags are spreading the environmental message with style. Lightweight and portable, each bags roll up into itself and snaps shut. Help your customers support an eco-friendly alternative to paper and plastic bags by including an Envirosax in your gift basket designs.
June 15th, 2008
In these days of high gas prices, consumers are making fewer shopping trips than ever before. Coupled with increased demands on our time, we, as consumers, are looking for more services that will make our shopping experiences easier and more efficient.
Consider adding a “Personal Shopper” to the list of services that your business offers to customers. Think about assigning one of your salespeople this new role. This person needs to be up to date on all the trends in the gourmet and gift industries. Reading industry magazines such as Gourmet Retailer and Specialty Foods will be helpful in this respect. Rave Reviews Magazine is perfect for seeing the latest trends specific to the gift basket industry. And of course, this person needs to be very knowledgeable about the products that you carry.
When a customer calls your Personal Shopper, he/she just needs to explain what the gift is for, how much he/she wants to spend, and a little about the person who will receive the gift. Then, the Personal Shopper can take it from there. If your Personal Shopper can create a reputation as a “life-saver” for your customers, this will go a long way towards building a loyalty among your shoppers and will help you acquire many new customers in your area.
June 3rd, 2008
Every month in Gourmet Retailer Magazine, a promotional calendar lists special events and holidays for upcoming months. Create and send your own calendar to your customers by email or direct mail so that they are aware of your creative promotions.
Here are some interesting and fun promotional ideas that you can use to spruce up summer sales.
June 9th is Donald Duck’s birthday. How about a newborn baby basket that includes duckie toys, bibs, cups, and other baby gifts? A cartoon video for older brothers and sisters would also be appreciated!
June 13th is the only Friday the 13th in 2008. Offer a 13% off sale on some of your newest basket designs.
Strawberry season starts on June 22nd. Design a basket that include all of your strawberry flavored items: tea, hard candies, cookies.
One hundred forty nine years ago, on June 27th, the “Happy Birthday to You” song was composed. Offer special pricing on all your birthday baskets during the last week of June.
One last note: June is Effective Communications Month. This might be a good time to have a staff training session that focuses on learning new customer service skills.
May 13th, 2008
I saw an ad in Gourmet Retailer Magazine about a new item for gift baskets: Gourmet Herb Garden Kits. These would be great addition for a gift basket with a “cooking” theme.
Go to Gifts That Bloom to learn more. The complete in-door gardening gift kits are a perfect gift for avid gardeners and beginners alike. In addition to the Herb Garden Gifts, the company offers over 250 gifts including kits for flowers, plants and trees. “Just add water and sun!”
April 27th, 2008
In January, I posted an article in this blog about bans on plastic bags and reusable totes. Well, the gourmet food industry is going green!
Now, at Apex Gift Foods, you can purchase Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags and spread the environmental message with style.
Lightweight polyester, portable, waterproof and weighing just 1/4 oz., Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags can hold the equivalent of two supermarket plastic bags thanks to reinforced seams.
Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags, printed with exciting, trendy graphics, are a perfect gift idea and can easily be included in your gift baskets. Each bag rolls up into itself and snaps shut and is small enough to stow in a handbag or glove compartment.
Or, build your basket in one of these 19.5″ x 16.5″ bags and do your part for our environment.
Go to Apex Gift Foods for more information.
April 21st, 2008
The All Candy Expo is the largest candy, confectionery, cookie and snack show in America. This year, the event will be held May 20-22 in Chicago, Illinois.
The gourmet marketplace will feature confectionery and snack products including premium gourmet items and all natural and organic products. “The confectionery, biscuit, and snack categories combined are a $70 billion category in the United States.” Join over 5000 buyers to see the newest items in the marketplace. Go to the All Candy Expo web site for more information.
If you sell housewares products, the 2008 Gourmet Housewares Show will be held May 6-8 in Las Vegas. This year, the focus will be on the environment and new product launches. If you can plan a last minute trip, go to The Gourmet Housewares Show for information.
April 16th, 2008
“The National Retail Federation estimated Halloween sales would near $5 billion in 2006, up 51% from 2005.” Additionally, the average consumer spent over $50 on Halloween goodies! Furthermore, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that adults are getting more into the spirit of the Halloween season, throwing parties and decorating their homes and offices. (from Florist Review Magazine, August, 2007).
Don’t overlook sales opportunities for this seasonal celebration. Create and promote gift baskets baskets with Fall and Halloween themes. Start with fillers in seasonal colors. Add scarecrows, witches, pumpkins and gourds on picks to your gourmet designs. Finish with a big bow in seasonal colors.
Please share your ideas about how you promote this popular holiday in your gift basket business.
September 16th, 2007
Just read an interesting blog about things to consider when starting a home based gift basket business. There’s lots to think about and author Randy Wilson identifies some of the most important factors.
First, it’s wise to write a business plan. This will help you clarify your goals and aspirations as well as help you think out how to reach those goals. The Small Business Administration offers free materials to help you with this. I think that part of this phase should also include an examination of the competition in your area. What are other gift basket makers offering? What can you offer that will set you apart?
Next, you need to list the office supplies you’ll need: phones, computer equipment, etc. You should also look into business insurance in order to protect yourself and your customers against unforeseen circumstances.
Third, think about inventory. Wilson suggests that you don’t need a lot of inventory for start-up, but on the other hand, you need to have enough product to be able to make creative baskets in a timely manner that will satisfy your customers. Consider starting with product assortments that will give you a variety of items to work with. If you need a list of items you should have on hand to start-up, see my earlier post on this topic and learn how to get start-up inventory lists and discounts for new gift basket businesses.
Fourth, contact your local government to learn about regulations in your city, county and state that might affect how you start your business.
Finally, before you start, think about how you will market your business. Advertising costs money, but it’s necessary to have a plan and a budget for this so that you can draw customers to your business.
And be sure to invest in “How to Start a Home Based Gift Basket Business, 4th edition”, by Shirley Frazier. Shirley covers all the points listed above in great detail and provides step by step instructions that will help you get your gift basket business off the ground.
September 9th, 2007
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