Posts filed under 'New Products & Trends'
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
![MCj00902990000[1].jpg](http://www.apexgiftbasketpros.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/MCj00902990000%5B1%5D.jpg)
We used to call it a suggestion box. But now, Starbucks has taken the idea “high-tech” and is “getting ideas from customers via the Internet. The coffee shop chain launched the social web site “MyStarbucks-Idea.com” in March 2008. So far, it has received more than 80,000 suggestions through the site” - and actually implemented a few of these ideas in its stores. Full story.
Many companies are now using social networking sites to interact with their customers. No longer is this a “one-way” line of communication with the company promoting products and services. Now, companies are looking for suggestions from customers in an attempt to get some ideas regarding what will bring customers in and keep them coming back.
This doesn’t have to be complicated. If you have a web site, you might simply think about adding a link to your personal email address so that customers can communicate their ideas. Although many web sites have a “contact us” link, I usually think that those emails go to an empty room…does anyone really read those? Check out the Apex Gift Foods home page to see what I’m proposing. Then send me a message with your suggestions!
September 20th, 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
I’ve been reading a lot of articles these past few weeks about how to keep our businesses going in this troubling economy. Local newspapers and trade magazines alike include stories about how to move through tough economic times in a productive and creative manner.
I’ve noticed that a couple of suggestions keep coming up and although you might have heard these before, I think it’s important to keep stressing these iimportant points.
Provide Super Service! As our customers grow more cautious in their buying patterns, it is more important than ever to nurture our relationships. Review your past records and check out when your customers made purchases in the past. Is a special occasion coming up when your customer always sent a gourmet basket? Who placed orders last year for Valentine’s Day and Easter? If you handle corporate accounts, check last year’s records to see if orders were placed for Administrative Professional Week (April 19 - 25, 2009).Then, get on the phone and make calls! Although your customers may be cutting back this year, they’ll appreciate your being aware of their buying patterns and your call may remind them that it’s time to order again. Even if they don’t order the same amount as in prior years, your call will have an impact. All through the holiday season and continuing this month, the articles and research that I read continue to emphasize that price is not always an issue in customers buying decisions; rather they will often pay more for a better customer service experience.
Keep Promoting Your Business! I heard a story on NPR News that automobile companies, who in the past have purchased up to 40% of all TV advertising, have cut their advertising budgets almost in half. Consequently, ad time on television can be purchased now for substantially lower rates. (Have you noticed that infomercials have stepped up their ads? This is because they’re purchasing ad time at low, low prices.) While I’m not suggesting that you start to advertise your business on the local TV station (although this may be something you want to check out), I do think that this is a good time to call your local newspaper and radio stations and find out what advertising rates are available. And don’t forget to negotiate! Additionally, if you’ve been thinking about developing your own web site, this might be a good time to negotiate with a web developer to design a site for you and get it up and running. They need business too! The economy will eventually turn around and you may be able to make a great investment in your business right now at a great price.
Send Out Coupons! You’ve all received 100’s of coupons in the mail over the holiday season. Newspaper ads have tons of coupons everyday for everything from clothing to food to tires. The Coupon Council of the Promotion Marketing Association says that over 80% of consumers use coupons and are very responsive to coupon offers. Design some of your own coupons to mail, to leave on your check-out counter, to pass out in the neighborhood or to insert in a local newspaper ad. And you don’t just need to slash prices. Offer a free gift for every 3 purchases. Offer a one-time discount on shipping/delivery charges. Use your imagination to create coupons that benefit your customers while keeping an eye on your bottom line.
January 13th, 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
An article in Business Wire suggests that this year, given the uncertainty of our economic situation, “people will try to take greater control of their lives and find pleasure in the simple things.” According to researcher Joan Hollaren from Mintel, “people around the world are feeling insecure and are already looking to reestablish a sense of stability in their lives. In the coming year, it will be more important than ever for businesses to respond quickly and creatively to changing consumer needs and desires, as we all become more selective in how we spend our money.” Full Story.
What does this mean for our gift basket businesses? First, if consumers are going to be more careful about what they buy, they will also will be concerned about getting exactly what they want. Gourmet basket businesses are already familiar with creating gifts that are targeted to a special occasion or a customer’s special requests. In marketing efforts for the holidays, we can bring this “individualized service” to the attention of our customers thereby satisfying their need to have some control over their purchases.
Another interesting point is mentioned in this article. Given that people may be a bit more stressed out this holiday season, try to “lighten the mood”. Think about gifts that include a “range of products that soothe, energize or simply lift the spirits.” Bath and body products, candles, and decadent gourmet chocolates certainly fit the bill! Also, if people are staying home for the holidays in order to cut down on spending, consider gift baskets that include games, videos, and books that can be enjoyed with the family.
November 20th, 2008
This holiday season, many people will be thinking carefully about gifts that they purchase for others. I just read an interview with author Mary Hunt, author of “Live Your Life at Half the Price” in which she gives advice for how to be thrifty this holiday season. Read the full story for her tips.
I especially like her answer to this question: How much is it appropriate to spend? As we choose gifts for family and friends, Ms. Hunt suggests that we should instead, start with this question: How much do I have to spend? This is very different than how much do I want to spend? Once we realistically determine how much we can afford, we can consider our choices with more focus and less possibilities for facing a credit crunch when the holidays are over.
In her interview, Ms. Hunt also talks about the types of gifts that we can give. She points out that many people spend the holidays at home, with families and friends. And this brings me to the topic of Hostess Gifts!
It is always thoughtful to bring a Hostess Gift when you are invited to a holiday gathering. Hostess Gifts are often items that become keepsakes; items that can be used again and again with great pleasure. And Hostess Gifts can be a perfect addition to your holiday gourmet designs.
Read “Top Ten Gift Ideas for Thoughtful Hostess Gifts” for some great ideas for Hostess Gifts that can easily be inserted in a holiday gourmet basket. Also consider beautiful Holiday Table Accessories: Ivory place mats, napkins and napkins rings, table runners and coasters decorated with rich, brocaded poinsettias. All of these suggestions are wonderful keepsakes that your customers will be proud to give to their families and friends. Your creative use of these gift items in your baskets could be the beginning of a profitable trend for your business as your customers continue to search for gifts that people can enjoy after the delicious gourmet treats have been eaten.
November 3rd, 2008
Just saw something in Fancy Food News Bytes that I want to share.
“A study published in Brandweek.com confirms the power of free samples. The study, conducted by Arbitron, found that 35 percent of customers who tried a sample bought the product during the same shopping trip. Fifty-eight percent say they would buy the product again.”
If you have a storefront business where customers come in to shop, feature a basket each week and put out samples of all the products that are used in the basket. Don’t forget to let your customers know (through a flyer or email or phone calls) which day of the week you’ll be “sampling”.
According to this study, you should get some orders for that basket! Make sure you keep track of the items that customers like the most, then use those items again in other gourmet designs.
Please note: As soon as I finished this post, I thought to myself: “So how can an on-line business take advantage of this information?” Any thoughts would be appreciated!
October 22nd, 2008
Previous Posts
