Posts filed under 'New Products & Trends'
“According to a study in May, 2008 by the Food Marketing Institute, approximately 71% of Americans are cooking more at home. Due to rising food and gas prices….interest in home cooking is currently growing”. Full Story.
Let’s face it: the economy isn’t doing well and consumers are looking for ways to curb their spending habits. So if staying home is one way that people are handling this, we, as business owners, need to pay attention to this trend and work with it!
Your customers are still looking for gifts to acknowledge special occasions for friends and family. How about trying a “Stay at Home” promotion and introduce some new gift baskets that focus on this theme? A Taste of Italy basket full of pasta, sauce, olive oil, cheeses, crackers, olives, cookies and chocolates will give the lucky recipient all that is needed for a full course meal. Pack this in a metal colander and you’ve included a gift that can be used again and again. Or try a Blockbuster Movie Night Basket that includes a Blockbuster gift card, popcorn, peanuts, and games for a perfect gift for the stay at home crowd.
Other “practical” gifts for the family might include a Boredom Basket, packed with games and snacks or a Kid’s Stop activity basket full of games, books and snacks just for kids.
If you’re hesitant about investing in the inventory needed to create these baskets, consider purchasing some “ready to ship” designs to try out your promotion. Since you won’t have labor costs, put a lower mark-up on these items than usual. This approach will allow you to try something new and offer your customers a great selection of gifts.
Just because business may be slower than usual, we need to keep trying new approaches to attract new customers and keep our loyal customers. You can be “practical” while still giving your customers very special gifts!
August 17th, 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
Looking for a new idea for creative gift baskets? Check out Moviegiftbaskets.net. The author has some great ideas for putting together baskets that include a DVD plus gourmet treats, gift cards and other items that are “educational and inspiring”.
Not only will you read about special gift basket themes for kids, coworkers and friends, you’ll find a list of popular movie titles and step by step instructions for building a movie gift basket.
Delight your clients with this new basket design. Ask them to tell you what types of movies the recipient prefers: comedies, action, drama, etc. Encourage your customers to offer suggestions about what to include in the basket. And don’t forget the popcorn!!
I think you’ll find this to be lucrative and fun! Go to Moviegiftbaskets.net for more information.
July 1st, 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
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
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
This year, the Jewish holiday of Passover will be celebrated April 19th - 27th. Passover is a holiday that commemorates the time in history when the Jewish people were freed from slavery in Egypt.
If you are planning to promote gourmet baskets for this holiday, now is time to learn more about the holiday traditions and guides about kosher foods that are permissible for the celebration.
To give you some backround about the holiday, check out these links:
For a line of kosher, gourmet treats, go to Apex Gift Foods.
March 17th, 2008
April is Couples Appreciation month. How about designing “his and her” gift baskets?
Start your design in a handsome wood trunk. Add some sweet cookies, hard candies packed in lovely tins or decorative boxes and herbal teas for her. Select a robust salsa, crunchy chips, and spicy sausage for him. Then, find out about special interests of both recipients and add some special gifts for both: music, books, games, movie passes, or a gift certificate for couples cooking classes.
Choose fillers and ribbons that will work for your “his and her” design. For example, a sunny orange sherbet sizzle pack matched with a bold yellow and orange striped ribbon would create a cheerful palate. Or follow the trends with teal shredded parchment paired with a luxurious double face dot ribbon.
Create a new holiday and new tradition for your customers for Couples Appreciation Month!
March 11th, 2008
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