Posts filed under 'New Products & Trends'
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
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
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
“MAUSSANE-LES-ALPILLES, France (AFP) - Thirty-five years ago olive-grower Raymond Gonfond pondered giving up on his olive trees — because olive oil was not selling. Now the whole world is enamoured of this green gold, which underpins the famed ‘Mediterranean diet’.” Full Story
Once the holidays are over, most of my friends will complain about how much they ate. New Year’s resolutions will abound with pledges to eat sensibly. On the other hand, I recently read that Whole Foods did a survey and found that “a majority of Americans are tired of making New Year’s resolutions and instead prefer to create lasting lifestyle solutions”. Full Story. The point is that you can be attuned to what your customers want and offer a “sensible” alternative to the gift basket laden with sweets and snacks.
Suggest a “healthy” basket full of fixings for a complete “healthy meal”: whole wheat pasta, spicy marinara sauce, tangy sun dried tomatoes, nicose olives, fragrant olive oil and pungent balsamic vinegar. Offer an upscale version of this basket that includes a bottle of red wine. And considering the health benefits that are touted, you can even include a few pieces of dark chocolate candy!
You can snag some extra business between Christmas and Valentines Day by offering something unique. Please share your ideas for other ways to attract business between the holiday rush.
January 15th, 2008
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