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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 18, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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This week’s tip will help you increase sales of your candies outside of the retail store. By partnering with local businesses, you could increase sales and spread the word about your quality products.
Find which retailers in your area are running promotions via the paper, radio or social media and approach them to offer your products as their promotion. For example, if a customer makes a purchase, instead of just a coupon, the customer receives a two or four-piece box of your candies along with it. While customers appreciate coupons, remind the local retailer that the customer will also remember that they went the extra mile by providing quality chocolates. You both win!
Another great local partner could be car dealers. Put together a “Thank You” sample gift to show car dealers what they can purchase from you to give to new car owners. Let them know they may customize a gift basket with their corporate promotional items such as pens, coffee mugs, etc.
If you have ideas for other local partnership for candy businesses, please share them in the comments below!
Members of Retail Confectioners International: This tip is part of a past Kettle Talk article titled How to Increase Your Candy Sales (January/February/March 2011 issue). Access digital versions of this issue and other past issues of Kettle Talk by signing in to the RCI website as a member. Then, navigate to Publications under the Member Resources tab and click on Kettle Talk.
Tags:
Marketing
Merchandising
Owning a Business
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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National Macaroon Day is May 31 and this week’s tip is to get creative and have fun with this confectionery holiday. We’ve gathered a number of pictures and links below to help get the creative juices flowing. If you do something fun and unique with macaroons in your candy store, be sure to share it in the comments below!
Detailed Design: Animal Print
Fun Colors: Light & Feminine
Don't Forget the Classic: Coconut Macaroon
Unique Pairing: Cupcakes & Macaroons
Great Presentation: Make a Cake
Tags:
Candy Holidays
Candy Making
Photos
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Armed Forces Day is a holiday for U.S. citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. This year it will be celebrated on Saturday, May 18. In honor of this holiday, this week’s tip is to provide a military discount or great special just for military members and their families on this special holiday or even the week leading up to it. From half off, buy one get one, or even a special free gift, the possibilities are endless.
We’ve provided this tip early in May so you have plenty of time to plan and promote the specials and discounts you create. Be sure you spread the word via social media, word of mouth, fliers and even send a press release to area media.
Another idea to show appreciation to the U.S. military on this day (or any day!) is to visit your area veterans’ center with a special delivery of chocolates and candies from your store. Take a moment to thank the veterans present and let them know how much you appreciate their services.
Are you located outside of the U.S.? You can still utilize this tip! Find out if your government has dedicated a day to honor the military in your country and join in with a discount or special in appreciation for their service. If your country doesn’t have a specific day, why not select a day and start one in your candy store?
Tags:
Marketing
Merchandising
Owning a Business
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Now that Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter are behind you, this week’s tip is to take a moment to do a recap for each holiday. By stopping to review items such as inventory, sales numbers, marketing and more, you can forecast more accurately for the following year’s holidays.
Questions to ask during your post-holiday recap may include:
- What was the day of the week and/or date of the holiday?
- Did the weather impact sales (positively or negatively)?
- What sales or special offers did you have? What was the response to each?
- Did you have too much or too little inventory of any particular items (products or otherwise)?
- Was staffing adequate for each day and time leading up to the holiday?
Be sure to include your staff in the process. Oftentimes, they see and hear things from customers that could be enlightening for your holiday planning.
RCI Members: Access a post-holiday recap template created just for RCI members by signing in to the RCI website as a member. Then, click on Planning Tools under the Member Resources tab.
Tags:
Holidays
Marketing
Organizing
Owning a Business
Productivity
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Next Monday April 1 is April Fool’s Day. That means you have six more days to plan a creative way to celebrate this fun holiday in your store and create a marketing buzz at the same time. Why not play a few April Fool’s Day jokes on your customers, or help them play one on their friends and family. One of many ideas may be to create a “zero calorie chocolate box” promotion that will just be available on April Fool’s Day. Then, the box could be empty (zero calories, of course!) but contain a coupon for your store along with information about the health benefits of chocolate. You could promote via social media leading up the day that you’re going to have a big product reveal.
Get inspired by reading what some large companies such as Google and Burger King have done over the years to create a buzz around April Fool’s Day:
As you plan your fun prank, be careful not to confuse or frustrate your customers but to make it enjoyable for everyone involved and something they’d want to share with others (which spreads the word about your store). Be sure to leave us a comment below to share your fun ideas and let us know how they work out!
Tags:
Holidays
Marketing
Merchandising
Owning a Business
Seasonal
Social Media
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Are you looking for a new product to debut this Spring and Easter season? Extremely popular Easter items for many of our members are personalized Easter eggs. Parents and grandparents love to put their kids and grandkids names on the eggs, making it an annual tradition for many. You can buy egg moulds in a variety of sizes. Bonus: Buy hollow moulds and give your customers the chance to fill their eggs with even more treats from your store!
For the best adherence when personalizing items, use chocolate on chocolate and compound coating on compound coating. Sometimes when using a compound coating on chocolate the message will not adhere and it will fall off so be extra aware and cautious. Make a small decorating bag out of parchment paper to do your writing and try to do as many as possible at one time.
Have fun decorating chocolate Easter eggs!
Tags:
Candy Making
Holidays
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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We’ve seen the pictures on Facebook and Twitter and we know many of you have your stores beautifully merchandised and decorated for Valentine’s Day. This week we want to remind you to keep plenty of those Valentine’s goodies in stock until the beloved holiday.
Typically, Valentine’s Day sales are last-minute purchases, mainly the last 48 to 24 hours. Therefore, you want to be sure you have enough product available in store until the final day. Avoiding out of stock situations will help those last-minute customers know they can count on your candy store to be there for them year after year when they need it.
Worried you’ll have lots of product left over? Use ribbons and cello caddies to carry out the Valentine’s theme because they can easily be swapped out for Easter colors to avoid having to place the product on your after-holiday clearance shelf.
Tags:
Candy Making
Holidays
Marketing
Merchandising
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Updated: Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Super Bowl is a week from this Sunday and according to this infographic on 2012 Super Bowl parties, more than $50 million will be spent on food for Super Bowl parties across the country. That’s why this week’s tip is to join the madness and incorporate a few Super Bowl themed items in your candy store.
While you can’t legally use the logos and likeness of the competing Super Bowl football teams, you can use their team colors to create beautifully themed hostess gifts and party platters. How about football shaped cookies using icing with team colors? Or, try football shaped chocolate moulds with a stick in them to make football pop bouquets. Since eight million pounds of popcorn were consumed at Super Bowl parties last year, consider making salty snacks such as popcorn and pretzels mixes. The product possibilities are endless!
Be sure to spread the word among your customers using your website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and whatever social media networks your customers are accustomed to, and encourage them to come to your store for their Super Bowl party treats. Remember, great pictures speak a thousand words so be sure to post beautiful pictures.
Do you have other ideas for joining Super Bowl madness and your candy store? Please share them in the comments below!
Tags:
Candy Making
Colors
Holidays
Marketing
Merchandising
Seasonal
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