Posts filed under 'Gift Basket Supplies'
May is National Barbecue Month. Go to the official web site of the National Barbecue Association for information about the history of barbecue, recipes, accessories and anything and everything you might want to know about barbecue!
In the meantime, design a Barbecue gift basket. Include chips, salsa, meats, cheeses, mustards: all the stuff your customers will want for their backyard barbecues. Check out your local Dollar Store and add barbecue mitts or grill accessories to your basket. Make copies of a few great barbecue recipes and include those in your basket. With Memorial Day coming up at the end of the month, add a red, white and blue bow to your basket and celebrate two holidays at once.
Please share your ideas for Barbecue Gift Baskets. Have fun with your basket creations!
April 23rd, 2007
I recently received a Google Blog alert entitled “What You Need to Set up a Gift Basket Business”. The short article suggested that what was needed was creativity, design skills, and a desire to learn. The author also suggested that minimal capital was needed to start a home based gift basket business.
As a wholesaler, selling products to gift basket businesses for over 15 years, I feel obligated to state firmly: It’s not that simple! In the years that I’ve been in the gift basket industry, I’ve seen hundreds of home based businesses come and go. While creativity and passion are essential for success in any new business venture, there is lots more to know!
If you’re thinking about starting a home based gift basket business, you need to do a lot of research. The author of the article mentioned above suggested two excellent resources. Check those out along with the links to resources listed on this web site. You’ll find links to industry trade magazines, and educational opportunities for learning more about the gift basket industry.
Access to the internet will offer you even more opportunities to find out about starting a gift basket business. Look at existing gift basket web sites and ask yourself questions about what you see: what are they selling? what are their prices? what delivery services do they use? what other services do they offer? Find a gift basket supply wholesaler and ask them for input about starting your business.
In addition to immersing yourself in information about gift basket businesses, contact your local Small Business Administration to take advantage of the wealth of resources they can offer to help you set up, manage and expand your new business. Talk to other small business owners in your community and pick their brains to find out what issues they encountered when they set up their business.
Starting a new business may sound like a simple proposition. But it requires careful planning. There are great resources available but you must make an effort to find and utilize them.
April 1st, 2007
The Pantone Color Report for 2007 includes designers picks for home decor colors. This information can guide your choices for spring gift baskets that will show your customer that you’re on top of the trends.
According to the report, hues of lavender, teal and silver will be showing up in home interiors through 2007. Also, expect to see mustard and marigold yellows as well as fuschia and pomegrante that will add lively tones to home furnishings.
Why not make your baskets stand apart from the crowd by incorporating products in your baskets that are packaged in these great colors. Or, add these colors to your designs with ribbons, silk flowers, berries and other enhancements.
March 3rd, 2007
Gift Basket Review Magazine is now available in a new, on-line version! The first issue has been published and is chock full of information for gift basket business owners.
A section called Business Tools includes several articles about inventory management: how to plan and how to buy. There’s also a comprehensive list of 50 great products that a new business should include when making their initial purchases. These articles are a “must-see” for anyone who is thinking about starting a gift basket business.
Apex Gift Foods wants to help out new gift basket business owners too! Call us and mention that you saw this blog posting about new gift basket businesses. When you place your first order, Apex will give you 15% off the entire order!
Just print out the start-up checklist from Gift Basket Review or ask Apex for a copy of the checklist. Apex carries a full line of shelf stable gourmet food components and gift basket packaging supplies. The sales staff at Apex will be happy to make suggestions and answer your question to help you be successful in your new venture!
January 22nd, 2007
Now that you’ve shipped all of your holiday orders, you may have lots of ideas about how you want to handle things differently for the next busy holiday season: Valentine’s Day.
I read a very good article in Gourmet Retailer, December, 2006 issue: “Shipping & Packaging: Thinking Inside the Box”. Author James Mellgren has great ideas for setting up your shipping and gift wrapping departments. This article is also available on Gourmet Retailer’s on-line magazine.
One of author’s best ideas is to invite a representative from your carrier (UPS, FedEX, etc) to come in for a meeting with your shipping manager and any other employees involved in shipping. At this meeting, you can show the representative the products that you typically ship, especially the fragile items. Also be prepared to show the packing materials that you use including boxes, fillers, padding, and tapes. You can even pack up some of your most popular products and ask for feedback about how those are packed or what other ideas the representative might have.
This meeting also offers the opportunity to make sure you have all the information and forms that you will need to file damage claims. Find out who you should call in case of damage and all the steps you will need to follow.
Make sure you read this article for informative suggestions about setting up a gift wrapping department too. This service is one that can set you apart from other businesses.
Check out your carrier’s web site for more information about good shipping practices.
UPS
Fed Ex
DHL
December 26th, 2006
Are you looking for an inexpensive container to use for your holiday designs? Check out these metallic pots and dishes from Syndicate Sales, one of the largest manufacturers in the country of containers for retail florists.
Reflections,a line of lightweight, stable, plastic containers are a perfect choice for your holiday gift baskets. 
Bright, shiny gold and silver pots and dishes are damage resistant for safe shipping. These affordable containers can be put to use after your gourmet treats have been enjoyed. Let your customers know they can drop a poinsettia into the attractive tapered pot once they’ve finished the tasty treats that you sent, or use the attractive design dishes 
for a holiday centerpiece.
Go to Apex Gift Foods to see these versatile metallic containers. Call Apex, at 800-348-2369, to get a brochure showing the full line of Reflections metallic containers.
November 30th, 2006
In today’s competitive market, unique packaging can do much to make your baskets stand out from the crowd!
This year, Apex Gift Foods has added a new line of florals, greenery, printed cellophanes, ribbons, and holiday themed picks that will make your baskets special.
For example, these adorable glass coffee ornaments would be a great keepsake to add to one of your beverage baskets. Silk poinsettias or holly or bright red berries can add just the right touch to a holiday basket. Got some products in packages whose colors don’t match your theme? Drop the item into an organza gift bag for a whole new look.
Go to Apex Gift Foods and get 10% off any item in our Finishing Touches line. Mention TOUCHBLOG to qualify for your discount. Offer valid through October 25, 2006.
October 17th, 2006
Make sure you check out a great article in Specialty Food’s online magazine: Twelve Techniques to Create Successful Promotions. Author Ari Weinzweig offers winning ideas for how create and carry out a successful promotion that will build your sales.
I especially like the following tips:
1. Get Wild: Weinzweig says it’s important to be enthusiastic and create fun for both the employees and the customers. Employees will be more eager to sell the promotion; customers will be anxious to participate in the event.
2. Look Through the Customers’ Eyes: Ask yourself “what will appeal to the customer?” Talk to customers before finalizing plans for the promotion. Their ideas may help you plan something that will really attract other customers.
3. Build Supplier Support: The author advocates working closely with suppliers to build a win-win relationship. Per Weinzweig’s experiences: “When suppliers know that a retailer is going to do something significant to build sales, the more likely they are to contribute meaningfully to the promotion….Support breaks down into things like samples, ad moneys, personal visits, training materials, sponsoring staff contests, demos. I ask the supplier how they can best assist us; often they’ll have ideas or insights that we can benefit from.”
Are you planning a holiday promotion? Contact Apex Gift Foods and find out how you can work together to create a great promotion and build sales!
September 20th, 2006
Make sure you read the June issue of Gift Basket Review Magazine for the State of the Industry Report. Based upon surveys with gift basket business owners, this report offers a wealth of information and predictions about the upcoming holiday season.
“According to survey respondents, the biggest trend for gift baskets is the growth in personalization” as customers look to find something different from what they are seeing in discount chains. “Bold colors and on-trend color match-ups are predicted as a refreshing change…Designers are looking to fashion colors to spark more interest”.
At Apex Gift Foods, you’ll see ribbons and finishing touches that highlight the newest colors for the upcoming holiday season. Look for flowers, ribbons, and holiday picks in shades of aqua and teal, rich chocolate, and classy coral and copper. These trend setting items will add a perfect touch to your holiday designs that will surely dazzle your customers.
What will your customers be looking for this holiday season?
September 5th, 2006
Having trouble making the perfect bow for your gift baskets? Florasatin Perfect Pull Bows may be the answer!
These easy to make bows are made from waterproof and weatherproof florasation ribbon. Just pull two strings and get a perfect bow every time!
Apex Gift Foods stocks Perfect Bows in 16 solid colors and 12 everyday and holiday prints. These bows are made from 1 1/2″ ribbon and are 5 1/2″ in diameter with 20 loops. Other sizes and colors are available by special order.
Just arrived: new designer colors: citrus, beauty, periwinkle, chocolate, and orange. Also check out new printed bows: dots, stripes and the ever popular paw prints.
Order bows before September 15th and get a 10% discount. Mention BOWBLOG when you place your order.
August 26th, 2006
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