Posts filed under 'Industry News'
Well gift basket business owners: if you weren’t able to get to San Francisco for the Fancy Food Show, January 17th - 19th, you can still read about new products in the marketplace and expected food trends for 2010. For those of you who have never attended, the Winter Fancy Food Show had over 80,000 products displayed. Displays included products for restaurants, large and small grocery stores, gift stores, hospitality venues,and yes….gift basket businesses. Although you may have missed tasting all the interesting and exquisite new foods, you can still learn a lot that will benefit your business.
According to a blog posting from Gourmet Retailer, “a panel of food experts selected the top five food trends for 2010, including good-for-you foods; coconut; gluten-free; exotic citrus; and nostalgic foods.” While it may be difficult to relate these trends directly to your gift basket business, i think it’s important to read the articles and blog postings about the show so that you can get a “picture” of what consumers will be seeing when they visit their grocery and gourmet food stores. This may lead you to making certain choices of products for your baskets. For example, if you frequently use fruit drinks in your designs, you may consider a coconut flavor or citrus flavor for 2010. If consumers are interested in “nostalgic foods”, then you may want to design a breakfast basket with pancake mix and maple syrup or a basket filled with soup and biscuits mixes.
I’ve listed some links below that will take you to articles and blogs about the Fancy Food Show. Some will be very useful, others will just be fun to read. Take some time to look at these, then keep your mind open to the possibilities when you plan your designs for 2010 gift baskets.
February 1st, 2010
The National Gift Basket Professional Convention has merged with the Ultimate Gift Show for a bigger and better opportunity for 2010! The convention will be filled with over 15 hours of seminars, including a 3 hour, hands-out workshops. Attendees can visit with vendors at the Trade Show to see the newest, hottest products in the marketplace. Time is scheduled for “Discussion Groups” so that you can get answers from the experts. And networking opportunities will be unlimited.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: JULY 23-25, 2010, CANTON, OHIO
Who should attend this extraordinary event?
- Retailers and Gift Providers
- Gift Basket Professionals
- Floral and Balloon Designers
- Hospital Gift Shop Managers
- Resort Gift Shop Managers
- Coffee Shop and Tea Shop Managers
- Garden Centers
- Wineries
- Event Planners
- Everyone who wants to take their business to a higher level!
Register today and take advantage of Early Bird Specials! Go to the Gift Basket Professional Convention or the Ultimate Gift Show web sites for full registration and travel details.
Representatives from Apex Gift Foods will be there to show you the best selection of gourmet products for the 2010 holiday season. Hope to see you there!
January 23rd, 2010
Mark your calendars for the 2010 National Gift Basket Convention in Canton, Ohio: July 23-25, 2010. This trade show convention will include 13 hours of seminars, 10 hours of trade show, hands-on-workshops, and lots of opportunities for networking with leaders and other business owners in the gift basket industry. You can see the full convention schedule at for the “Building Your Dreams” Convention at Gift Basket Professional.
Register before 12/31/09 and take advantage of the tremendous early bird price of $199 for all the events at the convention. More registration options are available if you’re unable to attend the full convention. Check out all the details at Gift Basket Professional or email Pam Newell for information.
November 22nd, 2009
I just read an article in Gourmet News, September, 2009, about Recovery Act monies that have been earmarked for small businesses. ARC loans (America’s Recovery Capital) are available for “small businesses with an immediate financial hardship”. Loans up to $35,000 can be obtained by small businesses that were “in the black for 2 or 3 years before the recession” and are in need of financial aid to “pay their principal and interest payments on existing and qualifying business debts”. Go to the Small Business Administration web site to get the facts about this loan program and to find out if you qualify.
If you’re interested in obtaining a loan for your business, you may also want to check out these resources:
September 27th, 2009
Looking for fresh ideas for your gift basket business? Think about attending the Summer Fancy Food Show, June 28-30, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. There will be over 100,000 products on display from 2,300 exhibitors representing more than 70 countries.
You can also take advantage of a great educational program that starts on June 26th. Learn from industry experts in more than 20 seminars. Check out special showcases for natural and organic foods. See the hottest, newest products that your customers will want to buy.
Get more information and details for registration and hotels at NASFT FANCY FOOD SHOW.
May 25th, 2009
Make sure to check out details for an exceptional gift basket convention July 9 - 11 in Canton, Ohio. Sponsored by the owners of Gift Basket School, Pam and Tom Newell, this extraordinary event will include a trade show plus a multitude of daily seminars taught by well known gift basket professionals from around the country.
If you register by March 15th, your $199 registration will include a FREE 3 hour seminar on July 9th, led by Pam and Tom and Mary Anne Jacobs, one of the top designers and teachers in the industry. You will have an opportunity to see lots of “hands on examples” with an emphasis on style and design, learn many practical tips, top secrets from the experts and special packaging ideas to wow your customers. After March 15th, the registration package including the trade show, seminars, plus the 3 hour workshop on July 9th will cost you $284. So register early for tremendous savings on this fabulous event!
According to Pam and Tom, this convention is designed for retail gift basket business owners, hospital gift shop salespersons, resort gift shop managers, florists, event planners and bridal professionals. Both seasoned and new gift basket business professionals will profit from the tremendous number of educational experiences that are planned. In addition, a trade show, including vendors from across the country will provide attendees with opportunities to see the newest products and trends. Be sure to stop by the Apex Gift Foods booth to take advantage of special convention promotions.
For more information on registration, hotel accomodations, and convention activities, go to Gift Basket Professional. We look forward to seeing you at the show and learning how we can all “survive and thrive” during the 2009 gift basket season.
February 27th, 2009
Even in these tough economic times, it is critical for gift basket business owners to continue to look at how they can attract new customers and increase sales. As we look at ways to cut costs, we still need to make a commitment to growth. An important part of this process requires that you learn about new products and trends in the marketplace.
During the month of January, there are gourmet food trade shows scheduled all over the country. At the end of this post, I’ve included a list of the biggest shows and links for more information. This year, we may have to adjust our attendance at these shows.
Consider traveling to a show that is closer to your business, thereby cutting down on travel expenses.
If you can’t travel or intend to spend fewer days at a trade show, take advantage of the “Show Preview” issues of industry trade magazines. These offer extensive coverage of new products. Contact vendors to request samples of items you see in these magazines. Ask manufacturers if they have sales representation in your town, then ask for a visit from a sales person who can bring samples to you.
Gourmet Retailer Magazine and Specialty Foods Magazine offer on-line versions of their magazines as well as free-newsletters that will keep you informed of what’s new at the trade shows.
Keep up with your industry! In this way, you can make sure that your business offerings are current and fresh even in these difficult economic times.
Industry Gourmet Food Trade Shows:
- January 6 - 14, Atlanta, GA, The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. www.americasmart.com or 800-ATL-MART.
- January 11 - 13, Atlantic City, NJ, Philadelphia National Gift, Candy & Gourmet Show. www.phillycandyshow.com or 888-CANDY-89.
- January 13 - 19, Los Angeles, CA, L.A. Gift & Home Furnishings Market. www.lamart.com or 800-LAMART-4.
- January 14 - 20, Dallas, TX, Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, www.dallasmarketcenter.com or 800-DAL-MKTS.
- January 18 - 20, 34th Annual Winter Fancy Food show, www.fancyfoodshows.com or 212-482-6440.
- January 25 - 29th, New York International Gift Fair, www.nyigf.com or 800-272-SHOW.
December 9th, 2008
emarketingandCommerce.com (eM+C) is an online magazine that provides information and data about effective online marketing strategies. I read an article in the October issue that offers some interesting facts and suggestions about how to control your shipping costs while hoping to attract shoppers who shop online. Full Story.
While your customers may actually pay the shipping charges for their orders, it is in your best interest to find the best shipping rates. According to the author, “higher than expected shipping charges is considered the top reason that consumers abandon their online shopping carts”.
First, you need to consider how you want to work with shipping companies. You can choose to work with one carrier and build a loyal relationship. Or, you can use a variety of carriers and ship each order based on the least expensive quote. Both of these options have pros and cons. By building a relationship with one carrier, you may be able to take advantage of volume discounts that the shipper offers. On the other hand, with shipping rates that are constantly changing, if you use a variety of carriers, you may be able to offer your customers lower shipping costs.
Your best strategy is to contact shippers in your area and meet with a representative who will explain all the details and services that their company offers. You can start your research online, but at Apex Gift Foods, we have found that direct conversations with company representatives can result in many accommodations that the shipper will offer to meet your specific needs. Following are links for a few of the major LTL (less than truckload) shipping companies where you can start your investigation: UPS, FedEX.
November 16th, 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
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
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