Posts filed under 'Industry News'
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
The 54th annual Fancy Food Show will be held in New York, June 29 - July 1, 2008. This is NASFT’s largest show ever, with over 200 exhibitors. According the Specialty Food Magazine, there will be an “unprecedented number of natural and organic products shown throughout the show”.
Go to the NASFT web site for registration information, exhibitor list, educational programs, and hotels and travel.
If you’re unable to make this show, think about attending the Winter Fancy Food Show to be held in San Francisco, January 18-20, 2009.
June 10th, 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
In the past, I have written posts on this blog about attending trade shows and how you can make the most of that experience. But, have you ever considered setting up your own booth at a trade show in order to sell your products?
I just read an interesting article “Escaping the Trade Show Money Pit”, that offers excellent advice on this topic. Granted, participating in trade shows as a vendor can be a very expensive and time consuming endeavor. But if you prepare correctly, you can make the most of this opportunity to get your product line in front of buyers.
- Set the Right Objectives. Keep in mind that your trade show experience offers more than just a way to market your product line. In addition to connecting with potential customers, do your homework before the show to find out what other vendors will be participating. You may find new suppliers for your own business. At the gourmet shows that I attend, I meet vendors who sell insurance, equipment, computer software and other products that can help me run my business better.
- Pick the Right Show. Make sure that the buyers who will be attending the show comprise the market that you want to reach. Contact the trade show management to get names of other vendors who will have booths and have participated in prior years. Make a few calls to those vendors and inquire about the types of buyers who attended past shows. Also, ask your current “good” customers which shows they attend and why they like to go to those shows.
- Do Some Pre-Show Marketing. You may be able to get a list of registered buyers from the trade show management. Contact potential buyers through email, direct mail or telemarketing to let them know that you’ll be there. Include your booth number and a short description of the products you’ll be showing. Consider offering a special promotion or giveaway to buyers who come to your booth.
Read the full article to learn more ways to make your trade show experience a success!
April 10th, 2008
If you already carry, or plan to carry a line of gift items such as glassware, housewares, cheeseboards, salt & pepper shakers, or tea and coffee accessories, you need to check out Gourmet Retailer’s new Spring Gift Guide. This new feature on the Gourmet Retailer web site, allows you to check 100’s of gift items that you might sell to your gift basket customers.
This interactive web site uses some of the newest software technology and tools to create a unique environment for shopping. Interactive pages allow you to actually make notes for yourself right on the site. The product truly comes alive! And best of all, it’s “fast, it’s fun, and it’s free!
Go to the Gourmet Retailer web site to see a fabulous selection of gifts that you might consider for your product line.
April 6th, 2008
Check out Rave Reviews Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 1, for an informative look at the trends that will influence the gift basket industry in 2008. Author Gayle Gallagher reviews color trends that will affect consumers’ buying preferences in the upcoming year.
To investigate the popular color trends for 2008, Gallagher looked to the Pantone Color Institute for guidance. “Pantone, Inc. is the world-renowned authority on color. For more than 40 years, Pantone has been inspiring design professionals.” In addition to establishing standards for “accurate color communication”, Pantone is a vital tool for designers in the fashion and home furnishings industries, which in turn, influence the gift industry.
In her article, Gallagher cites the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and lists the following as the colors to watch for in 2008:
- Golden Olive: a mustard, yellowish olive green
- Spring Crocus: a deep lilac pink
- Rococco Red: a bright cherry
- Pink Mist: a cool, icy pink
- Croissant: a neutral beige-tan
- Freesia: a deep, bright yellow
- Cantalope: with peach tones
- Daiquiri Green: a brighter version of the earthtone yellow-greens
- Snorkel Blue: a more sophisticated navy
- Silver Grey: with the sheen of a metallic
Keep these colors in mind when you are looking for new products for your 2008 gift basket line. If the products that you love are not packaged in these new colors, you can still use containers, ribbons, and silk flowers to create designs that will show your customers that you are aware of the trends!
February 17th, 2008
If you’re planning to attend any trade shows this year, consider the Global Food and Style Expo, April 27-29, 2008 in Chicago. This is the perfect way to find new products for your gourmet baskets. Go to Specialty Food.com to get more information about the exhibitors, educational events, and registration details.
I just returned from the International Fancy Food Show in San Diego. We saw thousands of new products and you’ll be able to see about one hundred of the best at Apex Gift Foods, our gourmet food distribution company:
Also, think about taking someone else from your management team to the show. The time at the show in San Diego gave me and my partner opportunities to discuss business strategies for the upcoming year. Not only do we look at the gourmet foods, we also check out our suppliers’ displays, marketing materials, and sales techniques in order to get ideas for our own business.
Discover new gourmet food products at the Global Food and Style Expo and dazzle your customers with your unique gourmet baskets.
February 1st, 2008
I just read a story about plastic bag bans. Many grocery chains and other retail stores are thinking about ways to cut the use of plastic bags. “The move comes as environmental groups have argued that plastic bags endanger wildlife, pollute waterways, exacerbate neighborhood blight and generate thousands of tons of unnecessary waste.” Full Story.
When I was at the Fancy Food Show in San Diego, I stopped at a booth of a company that was selling reusable totes. These can be customized with your logo. Think about buying some totes printed with your company information and using these to pack your gourmet baskets. If your basket is too large to pack in a tote, consider using a tote in the design itself.
These days, there are stories in the news and lots of discussion about how people are developing more awareness of environmental concerns. The consensus is that people are trying to be more “sustainable” in their daily lives. You can do your part while marketing your business!
January 24th, 2008
In her Gift Basket Business Blog, Shirley Frazier writes that gifts are a welcome addition to gourmet basket designs. She suggests that items such as photo frames, kitchen utensils and cookbooks, spa products, and pet toys are some of the gifts that are popular.
Maybe it’s time for you to attend a trade show to see what’s new in this growing market. The International Home Housewares Show 2008 will be held in Chicago, IL, March 16-18. Go to the International Housewares Association web site for show information and events.
January 22nd, 2008
I’m registered to attend the Fancy Food Show in San Diego. I’ve received regular reminders from the show organizers about show events. I just received a planning guide that I think would be helpful to anyone attending this show or other trade shows.
See below for a copy of the email that I received. I like that it covers “things to do” before and during the show. It would be simple to adapt this list to cover events at other shows.
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January 13–15, 2008 |
The Winter Fancy Food Show
is Almost Here!
Use this checklist with final tips to get the most out of this record-breaking Show.
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Before you leave:
At the Show:
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Start at What’s New, What’s Hot! onsite in the 5300 aisle—the only area organized by category (What’s New?, Natural & Organic Foods, Gift & Holiday). sofi™ award Winners/Finalists and Focus on Diversity will also be displayed here.
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Don’t miss the Natural & Organic Pavilion with natural/organic food and beverages products from 250+ exhibitors starting in Aisle 4700.
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Cook-Off Corner—be inspired and entertained in this competition area spanning the 500–700 aisles. Events sponsored by American Culinary Federation and National Pork Board.
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Buy Educational Program and Meet the Tastemakers® tickets at any registration counter, or buy online before January 11 to save!
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Look out for electronic Product Locators to organize and print a personal shopping list.
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Getting to the Show
and around San Diego:
See you in San Diego!
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I would also recommend some things to do after the show:
- Organize all of the business cards and price lists you collected.
- Make notes about those vendors with whom you want to follow-up.
- Show the brochures that you collected to your employees. Point out the products you like and ask for their opinions.
- File all of your information for future reference. Since you probably have brochures from companies that you’ve never done business with, file by product categories: cookies, chocolates, beverages, etc. Six months later you may remember that you saw some really cute tea sachets, but if you’re like me, you won’t remember the name of vendor. By filing by category, you’ll be able to retrieve the information you want.
January 9th, 2008
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