|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
While consumers are busy dreaming of sugar plum fairies and candy canes, the second largest retail season is not far off in many retailers’ minds.
This week we're sharing quick tips to jump start your plans for Valentine's Day, with actionable ideas to help you stand out from the competition.
Ring in the New Year with Red
Starting the day after New Year’s, begin the transition to Valentine’s Day by incorporating red into your retail space, website and social media pages. While everyone else is talking about New Year’s resolutions, make your e-blasts and direct mail stand out with gift ideas for Valentine’s Day, keeping consistent with a red color scheme.
Encourage Pre-Orders
Offer coupons, discounts or special add-ons to customers who place their orders in advance to aid in your holiday preparations and lock down sales.
Pre-orders are especially helpful if you plan to sell chocolate-covered strawberries. Since this delicate fruit confection has a very limited shelf-life, requiring advance orders will help identify expectations for your production needs. Clear communication to your customer base is key to ensure their expectations are met too.
Communicate Clear Last-Ship Dates
According to a survey conducted by Discover Card, only 10% of men wait until Valentine’s Day to purchase gifts, while 65% of shoppers make their purchases the week before Valentine’s Day. Use a call-to-action, such as, “order by February 4 to receive your gift by Valentine’s Day,” as a way to establish clear deadlines and avoid disappointment from procrastinators.
Designed to make your business stand out and create an easy and stress-free shopping experience, these simple tips can help you increase sales. Let us know in the comments below, if you have any red-hot tips for Valentine’s Day!
Tags:
Candy Holidays
Marketing
Merchandising
Valentine's Day
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
If you’re looking to create an impressive holiday display in your candy shop, many would agree large moulded chocolates make great showpieces. However, working with chocolate as your medium certainly presents enough challenges to cause you to look for another subject to be the center of attention. Whether for fear of the potential effects of exposure to sunlight, humidity, curious customers, or ____________ (you fill in the blank), you may have decided long ago that even a jolly, three-foot-tall chocolate Santa in all his glory is not worth the investment of time and resources every year, especially during holiday season.
This week’s tip will allow you to deliver the same impact only a large chocolate Santa could, but with eventually the same effort as takes to do some light dusting. Simply follow the steps below to create a chocolate look-alike Santa (or snowman, Easter bunny, turkey, etc.) out of Plaster of Paris.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Chocolate Santa Look-Alike
By RCI member, Marie’s Candies of West Liberty, Ohio
Materials needed:
 |
Marie's Candies has made plaster Easter
bunnies sorealistic it's hard to tell the difference. |
- Plaster of Paris
- Mixing bowl
- Popsicicle stick (or other mixing utensil)
- Access to water
- Brown acrylic paint or spray paint
- Paint brush
- Glue gun (optional)
- Icing eyes (optional)
Instructions:
- Make sure your favorite chocolate Santa mould is clean. The great thing about using moulds you already have is the Santa in your display will look just like the real chocolate Santas you want to sell.
- Follow the mixing instructions on a package of plaster of Paris.
- Wet the inside of the mould, so the Santa can be removed easily. Fill the mould a quarter at a time, tapping it to remove air.
- Remove Santa from the mould after one hour and let it dry for 24 hours.
- Wash the mould and any other tools immediately after use.
- Once Santa is dry, use spray paint or a brush to paint it chocolate brown.
- Use a glue gun to add icing eyes (optional).
After following these simple steps, you will have an impressive moulded chocolate so realistic, you’ll want to display it year after year! As far as we can tell, the only downside here is that you might have to perform a lick test if you get your look-alikes mixed up with actual chocolate. Have your real moulded chocolate displays ever met their untimely demise due to curious customers or exposure to the elements? Share your story in the comments below.
RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Review past blog posts for quick and actionable tips to apply to your business. Look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox.
Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags:
Hacks
Holidays
Merchandising
Moulds
Plaster of Paris
Tutorial
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
 |
Find out which free graphic design tool we used to create this week's header.
Click hereto download this graphic and share it on your own social media pages. |
We can all agree teachers deserve a holiday! Remind your customers to celebrate World Teacher Day’s on Friday, October 5, 2018 by thanking the educators in their life with sweet treats that are sure to earn your candy shop an A+.
Take notes from RCI member, Dietsch Brothers, who creates custom tags and labels throughout the year to help theme their products as a way to encourage sales. Transform a basic chocolate bar into a thoughtful teacher gift by creating a custom wrapper that looks like a ruler and reads, “thanks for making this year rule!” Or add tags to your boxed chocolates and moulded chocolates that say “To the sweetest teacher.”
Don’t have an in-house graphic designer? Free graphic design websites like Canva or Crello make it easy for everyone to use, by offering free templates made by professionals that you can customize as needed. In fact, the header graphic above was created using Canva. These tools can also be utilized to create a coordinated look for in-store signage and even social media graphics to tell your followers about your sweet treats for teachers.
These custom graphics will not only take your merchandising to the next level, they can be easily updated and reused as the school year comes to an end and, then again, for back-to-school next year!
RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Review past blog posts for quick and actionable tips to apply to your business. Look for the "Subscribe now"box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox.
Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags:
Creativity
gifts
Marketing
Merchandising
School
Teacher
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
Looking for inspiration to launch a new product or add a fresh a new look in your retail shop? Look no further than Pantone’s Color of the Year, Ultra Violet.
Said to evoke originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking, shades of Ultra Violet are increasingly used in packaging and graphic design by forward-looking brands seeking to stand out, according to The Pantone Color Institute.
Incorporate Shades of Violet into Products and Merchandising
Since it was first introduced in December, ultra violet has been the inspiration for apparel, cosmetic and home decor brands as well as well-known personalities and artists. Let ultra violet light the way for your product development efforts and even when ordering gift items and other merchandise for your retail shop.
Create cosmic strawberries with metallic violet luster dust or take a more literal approach by incorporating edible violets into your candies, like Sprinkle Bakes (click here for easy lollipop tutorial). For a fresh spin on homemade marshmallows, add blackberry puree to get a natural violet hue (check out recipe).
Make an Impact with an Ultra Violet Candy Buffet
For maximum impact in your store, group together your favorite ultra violet (and other shades of purple) treats in a candy buffet. Consider adding violet lollipops, foil-wrapped chocolates, Jordan almonds, taffy and jelly beans to create more of a variety.
 |
Gain inspiration from brands like Sephora and Gap for their use of
the color of the year in past product promotions. Images:xriteandSelectism |
Create a Color of the Year Promotion
Pantone is recognized globally as the leading source of color information and trend forecasts. If you’re not already familiar with Pantone, there’s a good chance consumers in your community are, especially if your retail shop is near a university. According to an article published on NYTimes.com, “Pantone [has] tremendous influence over the visible elements of the global economy — the parts of it that are designed, manufactured and purchased.”
December is pretty much the Super Bowl for Pantone, after the Color of the Year is officially announced. You can expect consumer products in industries spanning from fashion to home décor, packaging and beauty products to jump on the bandwagon, why not the candy industry? If this seems like a good fit for your business, now may be a good time to identify these consumers.
Pantone’s color of the year could just be the spark of inspiration you need for a new product launch or fresh merchandising plan. Have you ever used Pantone’s color of the year as inspiration in your business? If so, please share in the comments below.
Tags:
Colors
Marketing
Merchandising
Product Development
Trends
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
I scream! You scream! We all scream for summer!
With summer around the corner, this week's tip suggests taking a critical look at how you display ice cream in your retail store.
As with candy merchandising, the way your ice cream is displayed can have a positive or adverse affect on sales. During a past conference in Houston, Texas, members visited La King’s Confectionery. The owner, Jack King, shared that when he revamped his ice cream display to reflect a European gelato shop, his ice cream sales increased significantly.
So, if you are still hand-dipping your ice cream out of traditional, round buckets, consider updating your display. By displaying ice cream in a more modern style and adding embellishments such as cookie crumbles or caramel swirls, your customers won’t be able to resist your delicious ice cream!
Take it a step further by offering a toppings bar nearby. Take products that you currently offer (i.e. chocolate-covered pretzels, caramel, nonpareils, etc.) and let customers create a new favorite ice cream treat!
Revamping your ice cream display is one way to help your ice cream sales heat up this summer!
Tags:
Ice Cream
Merchandising
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
Although Cinco de Mayo is a minor holiday in Mexico, the holiday has evolved in the United States to commemorate Mexican heritage and culture. To help celebrate the world's largest producer and exporter of limes, we're sharing fun treats with a twist of this zesty citrus fruit.
Candy Margaritas
Create a cheery display of mini margarita glasses filled with candies and rimmed with colored sugar and wedges of lime-flavored gummies. Consider packaging ingredients in bulk, along with a take-home guide for Cinco de Mayo party goers/hosts to easily grab and DIY these magnificent mocktails at home.
Chocolate + Lime
Lime adds a fresh twist to the classic truffle, because the citrus helps cut through the richness of chocolate and the fresh cream used in ganache. Consider incorporating lime juice or oil into your truffle recipe or add lime zest to your chocolate bars. RCI member, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company adds a twist of key lime to their craft chocolate bars.
Chili + Lime
Lure in your more adventurous patrons with samples of chili and lime truffles. Click here to get the recipe from Hope and Greenwood.
Have fun celebrating Cinco de Mayo with these fun treats! Share your favorite lime concoctions in the comments below.
Tags:
Cinco de Mayo
Holidays
Lime
Merchandising
Truffles
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
As we prepare to bid farewell to 2017, we’ve pulled the topics most important to candy makers with the top five most-read tips from the year.
A little hazy on what’s causing the buildup of a film on the surface of your chocolate moulds? You’re not alone. Learn what causes this common problem and get preventative tips on how to avoid it.
Save money by finding new uses for old items to create eye-popping displays with “wow factor!” Old ladders, tables, or wooden crates can make for unexpected and memorable ways to display your confections.
Consider this alternative method to making stable, smooth-textured meltaways with untempered chocolate.
Did you know chocolate moulds that aren’t cleaned properly can cause chocolates to lose their desired smooth and glossy shine? Follow these five easy steps to ensure your plastic moulds are cleaned properly and produce perfectly glossy chocolate masterpieces every time.
This simple tip is about to turn your world upside down, literally. Long-time RCI member, Fascia’s Chocolates started using this unconventional approach to caramel apples after practicing the traditional method for 53 years.
We look forward to bringing you more great tips to help you build your business in 2018! Wishing you a safe and happy New Year!
Tags:
Best of
Candy Hacks
Caramel Apple
Cleaning
Meltaways
Merchandising
Moulds
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020
|
Plaid is not just for lumberjacks. From bold buffalo checks to traditional plaid patterns, the plaid trend is everywhere! Consider incorporating plaid into your fall and winter merchandising themes to create dynamic displays and gotta-have-it gift ideas.
If the just the sight of the word “wallpaper” makes you cringe, consider a more temporary solution to getting your plaid fix while creating a dynamic merchandising display with peel and stick wallpaper. Check out Devine Color’s buffalo plaid Peel & Stick wallpaper, available at Target. As the name suggests, it is self-adhesive and removable. It is available in a roll that covers a 27.5 square-foot area. Click here to learn more.
Aside from being their own kind of eye candy for display, a vintage or like-vintage plaid thermos could be a fun vessel for your hot chocolate mix or hot chocolate truffles.
Another idea to add some plaid to your store front, would be to snag a variety of plaid fabric, preferably flannel, to make your own garland with rustic charm. Use up your remaining scraps of fabric by tying them around your boxes, bags and containers to “dress” them for the cool weather.
By incorporating a trendy plaid look into your merchandising plan, your sure to make customers feel warm and cozy this fall and winter!
Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Tags:
Fall
Holidays
Merchandising
Plaid
Trends
Winter
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
|
Merchandising is an important component to increasing sales. It is a way to grab your customers’ attention, stimulate emotions and give buyers a reason to make a purchase. This fall, take advantage of a traditional Hispanic holiday and the theme of the latest Disney movie, when adding to your merchandising displays.
El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, and is similar to Halloween with its themes of death and the spirit world. Not to be morbid or scary, instead this holiday is a fun, family-based celebration of life and death, a time to honor lost relatives with flowers, favorite foods and treats, even trinkets and toys. In addition November 22, Disney releases its newest movie, Coco, which takes place in this spirit world. Coco is the story of aspiring musician Miguel and his extraordinary journey through the Land of the Dead.
For inspiration, here a few ways to incorporate Dia de los Muertos into your fall merchandising.
Decorate a display with various bright colors including paper flowers, colorful banners and painted skulls. Source: Party City
As a play on the holiday’s sugar skulls, create sweets such as painted moulded skulls, decorate caramel apples and skull pops in their likeness.
Tags:
Holidays
Idea Sharing
Merchandising
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By RCI,
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
|
In celebration of RCI’s 100th anniversary, we have pulled favorite articles from the “archives.” In this excerpt from an issue of Kettle Gossip published in 1972, Dave Faurer of Wilbur Chocolate Co., shared Easter merchandising tips for candy makers. Although it's fun to reflect on how things (especially prices) have changed since 1972, many of Faurer's tips can be applied by today's retail confectioner. However, we've included some suggestions for updates to his merchandising ideas below.
Easter Merchandising
For most confectioners, Easter ranks second only to Christmas as a candy merchandising occasion. In some areas the Easter volume exceeds Christmas. As an occasion for the retail manufacturing confectioner to show his real skill in the art of candy making, Easter leads the list by far.
Timing – Easter falls on Sunday, April 2 this year (in 1972). Many merchants start showing some of their Easter items right after Washington’s birthday. Items like small chocolate-covered Easter eggs and 10, 15 and 25 cents eggs can be displayed or sold even earlier. This will include jelly eggs, marshmallow eggs, butter cream mix, etc.
About four weeks before Easter, your full line of Easter items should be on display. These would include your more expensive gift items, large eggs, gift baskets, etc.
Displays – The very nature of the items in your Easter line makes them easy to display. In themselves, they are so colorful that very little in the way of display material need be added. Basic colors for your display should be in the pastel shades. Usual color combinations are orchid and yellow, green (light) and yellow or pink and green.
It is extremely important that all signs are selected very carefully. To make sure that your signs stand out from the merchandise, you should choose the strongest colors in your display for the sign background. Good eye catchers are a super-large chocolate egg or a chocolate bunny or even an extra large size plush bunny.
Here are a few ideas which may help to create better and more effective Easter displays:
1972: A border of artificial daffodils and tulips can be very effectively arranged around the front of your windows
Now: For a more current take on this idea, use a cupcake stand,terra cotta pots and fresh daffodils to create a visually interesting Easter display.Photo from living.msn.com
1972: A good way to show your moulded eggs and rabbits is to use a large round glass, covered with either amber or green cellophane grass. Use a separate piece of glass for each group. Place the largest item in the center and surround with the smaller sizes.
 |
Now:Consider purchasing real or artificial wheatgrass, which can be used to nestleproductsand décor for fresh and colorful merchandising throughout spring and summer.Photo frombestorganicwheatgrass.com
1972:When displaying your eggs, cut one very carefully, cello wrap so customer can see what the egg is like inside. This is especially true of the fruit and nut centers.
|
 |
Now:What’s on the inside counts, right? Instead of wrapping a cut-chocolate in cello wrap, consider displaying cut pieces on a glass dish or cake stand, topped with a glass dome. Glass domes of all shapes and sizes are super trendy right now and are relatively inexpensive at your local craft and hobby shop. And don’t think you have to splurge on a big, pricey dome. Even small and dainty domes can create an elegant display. Photo courtesy ofkimborup.blogspot.com/au
In conclusion, Easter is one of the most fascinating (and exasperating) periods of the candy year. By careful thought in selecting items and merchandising them properly, you can capture the Easter market in your town.
|
Tags:
Easter
From the Archives
Ideas
Merchandising
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Print Page
Blog Home
All Blogs
RSS
