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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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In honor of Chocolate Mint Day next week (February 19), this week’s tip reminds you to have all mint-flavored treats stored separately from other confections.
While mint is refreshingly cool and goes great with chocolate, it is also an overwhelming flavor that can seep into the flavor of your other candies and chocolates. Therefore, it is recommended to store your mint flavoring as well as products containing mint separate from other goods. Some candy makers make a lot of mint chocolates and find that a completely separate “mint room” is necessary but if that is not the case for you, storing them in sealed containers will at least seal in the flavor.
Do you have other ways for storing your mint flavored products? Please share them in the comments below!
We hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!
Tags:
Candy Making
Cleaning
Organizing
Packaging
Quality Control
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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As we mentioned last month, at each of our events, we take attendees on behind-the-scenes visit of area candy stores and suppliers. It’s one of the most anticipated parts of the event week as it’s a great time for attendees to find ideas to take back to their own stores. And it’s where we found this week’s tip!
This week the tip is very simple and also very versatile. It is to use jewelry such as bracelets to accent a small two- or four-piece box of chocolates. You can get very inexpensive seasonal or fun plastic bracelets that wrap perfectly around a small box to make it a fun gift and a great seasonal display. And, since the bracelet wraps around the box rather than attaching to it with glue, when the season has passed you can easily remove the bracelet and replace with a new one without damaging the box.
Do you have quick and versatile ideas for using small boxes? Please share them in the comments below!
This week’s tip was taken from ‘Creative Uses for Small Boxes’ in our January/February/March 2013 Kettle Talk. RCI members may access past issues of Kettle Talk by signing in as a member on the RCI website.
Tags:
Holidays
Marketing
Merchandising
Packaging
Photos
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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At each of our events, we take attendees on behind-the-scenes visit of area candy stores and suppliers. It’s one of the most anticipated parts of the event week as it’s a great time for attendees to find ideas to take back to their own stores.
During our Canadian Chocolate Tour in September 2012 and recent Annual Convention & Industry Expo in June we visited confectionery retail stores that had designated gift designers. Attendees were consistently “wowed” by the beautiful displays and merchandising in these stores so this week’s tip is for you to hire a gift designer for your own retail candy store.
Gift designers are focused solely on the presentation of the products and displays in your store. Their job is to take your delicious candy products and turn them into beautiful gifts that your customers can’t resist buying. It’s about more than just wrapping paper – it is creating a theme, designing a shopping experience for your customers.
If hiring someone solely for the purpose of designing gifts isn’t something you can do, then consider making it a seasonal position or incorporating it into an existing position. You’ll be surprised at the difference having an individual focused on designing your items will make when it comes to the presentation of your products.
One other tip: once you hire someone, be sure to give him or her freedom to be creative and come up with new and original ideas. Share your vision and brand strategy and then step out of the way and be amazed at what is created and the exquisiteness it adds to your displays.
Tags:
Colors
Employee Management
Merchandising
Organizing
Owning a Business
Packaging
Photos
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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It’s that time of year again! That’s right, it’s almost fall which means it’s time for caramel apple madness for most candy makers. This classic fall treat has been a favorite since its creation in the 1950s. This week’s tip is to take time to evaluate how you package your caramel apples.
As with any confection, packaging plays a large part in how your customers view your products’ value. Therefore, it’s safe to assume it’s the same with your caramel apples. Whether you are making the “typical” caramel dipped apple or coating your apples in various toppings such as nuts and chocolate drizzles, selecting the right packaging will create even more value for your customers.
One of the best options we’ve seen used for packaging caramel apples is a small box that protects the apple, stands easily for display and has a plastic cut-out for customers to view the apple. Oftentimes candy makers will place the apple in a plastic bag and tie a large seasonal bow at the top; however, while an apple covered in nuts is probably safe in this type of packaging, the caramel of other apples will become stuck to the plastic. While the flavor is not compromised, the presentation definitely is which is reflected in the value perceived by your customers. Looking for more ideas? Do a quick internet search for images under ‘caramel apple packaging’ to get your creative juices flowing.
So, take a few moments to evaluate your caramel apple packaging this fall. Remember, the value your customers perceive is directly related to the price they are willing to pay for your products.
P.S. Are you headed to the Philly Candy Show this weekend? Be sure to stop by booth #518 and meet the RCI staff!
Tags:
Candy Making
Holidays
Merchandising
Packaging
Photos
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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This week we've got a great tip to help you expand your brand’s reach in your area: partner with local high schools and universities to create products using their colors and/or logos for sports teams and other extracurricular activities.
Because logos and mascots are typically trademarked, we suggest first talking with a representative from your local schools to request permission for use. If you receive permission, the possibilities are limitless, from using transfers of their logo on chocolates and truffles to using the logo or mascot on product packaging just to name a few applications.
If you’re not able to use logos and mascots, there are still opportunities for expanding your reach by using the color schemes. By pairing confections with the colors (i.e. red and white jelly beans) you can still create a fun display area to encourage support of your local elementary and high schools and universities.
Looking for how you will get the word out once you have these great themed products for purchase? Connect with your local Parent Teach Associations (PTA), even providing them with coupons and fliers to distribute at their meetings or via their email distribution list. Additionally, you could send mailers and get in contact with fraternities and sororities at your local university or college.
If you have additional ideas or success stories for partnering with local schools, please leave a comment below!
Tags:
Marketing
Merchandising
Owning a Business
Packaging
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Over the past year, the popularity of licorice as a treat has continued to grow. This week we’re encouraging you to get creative with this classic favorite. Remind adults why they loved this treat so much when growing up and reintroduce it in new ways to the younger generation and you may find new faithful customers.
Below we’ve provided a few ideas we found online along with some of our own ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Chocolate Storybook creates and sells a chocolate covered licorice stick using red Twizzlers. It’s even beautifully presented!
- Have fun with packaging! Dylan’s Candy Bar sells bin-like containers full of licorice while Southern Season has put together a licorice sampler that also presents itself as a tray when the lid is removed.
- Licorice is created in a variety of colors so package and display them according to the seasons. For example, pair red, white and blue for Memorial Day and Independence Day; black and orange varieties for Halloween; brightly colored varieties for Spring and Summer; and, of course, red and white or red and green for the Christmas season.
- An assortment of licorice shapes are available world-wide. From Scottish terriers to lighthouses to sea creatures, you may be surprised by what you can find. See what’s available and what your customers would like (i.e.starfish are great if you are by the ocean) and provide them in your store. Be sure you present them in a way that draws attention to the unique shape.
If you have additional unique or fun licorice ideas, please share them in the comments below! As a reminder to members, the RCI Buyer’s Guide is a great place to find licorice suppliers.
P.S. If you’re not with Retail Confectioners International in Cincinnati this week for our 93 rd Annual Convention & Industry Expo, be sure to check out our Facebook page for event photos!
Tags:
Candy Holidays
Candy Making
Holidays
Marketing
Packaging
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Have you already set your packaging colors for Valentine’s Day and other spring holidays but want to incorporate the newest color trends and combos? Invest in a few spools of great ribbon or stylish embellishments and you’ll be on trend in no time!
We’ve gathered a few creative uses of emerald green, Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year, from Pinterest to inspire your 2013 packaging and design creativity. Let the creative juices flow!
Bright Ribbon:
Classy Embellishments (great for wrapping a classic 4-piece box!):
Bright Accents:
Fresh Color Combo:
Fun Pattern:
Tags:
Colors
Holidays
Marketing
Merchandising
Packaging
Photos
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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We have just a week until Christmas so this week’s tip is to actually stop making Christmas-themed products and packages. I know, it sounds crazy, but we promise it makes sense. If you instead focus these next few days on putting together winter-themed items (think snowmen, snowflakes, etc.), then your items will still be applicable gifts after the holidays and into the New Year.
Below find some snowman-themed ideas we found on Pinterest to get your creative juices started. Be sure to share any winter themed product ideas in the comments below.
Merry Christmas!
Tags:
Candy Making
Holidays
Marketing
Packaging
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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As we near the holidays, we know you candy makers will be getting even busier so we will do our best to keep these tips short and sweet.
This week we have a new online tool to help shorten the time spent on shipping all of those holiday orders. Endicia is a low-cost and efficient tool that simplifies the process of shipping with USPS.
Among its many features, the software imports addresses from your address book so you can avoid retyping addresses. Plus, you can manage your shipment, including viewing your postage statements and transactions, or charting your expenses. You can even assign cost codes and send email delivery notifications for each package and even add your company logo before printing.
To get started, just visit dymoendicia.com and select the software solution that best fits your business’s needs. They have a few different solutions available so take a moment to view the different options and pricing structures. For example, Endicia Standard is just $9.95/month and you can try it free for 30 days before signing up.
We hope this tip saves you both time and money this holiday season. At our recent Canadian Chocolate Tour, one member said that this tool has been a huge help in speeding up shipping processes, especially in the holiday season. If you have other tips for shipping during the holidays, please share it in the comments below!
Tags:
Customer Service
Holidays
Packaging
Productivity
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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If you haven’t started already, it’s time to put together a marketing and merchandising plan for the Christmas and holiday season, the busiest season for the majority of candy makers. To help you plan the color theme, we’ve gathered some of the hottest color trends for 2012. Pick your favorite color combos and use them to transform your store and packaging for the holidays. Don’t forget to incorporate these colors into your advertising and images to create a complete look for your store.
Sea of Blues
Bright and Cheery
Tags:
Holidays
Marketing
Merchandising
Packaging
Seasonal
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