Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://specialtyfoodmagazine.epubxp.com/i/102355
CANDY COUNTER Harnessing the Big Four Despite the apparent ease with which the major candy holidays sell sweets, retailers can take a few extra steps to boost margins. One simple yet not so obvious tip: ÒLengthen your season for promotion,Ó Ellek says, noting that candy is made for incremental sales. ÒYou should have your Halloween marketing in place by back to school time.Ó WhatÕs more, she notes, ÒIf you have a long selling season for, say, Halloween, guess whatÑtheyÕre going to eat that candy before Halloween comes and theyÕre going to have to go back out to the store and buy some more.Ó Holiday-specific packaging demands special attention, for a number of reasons. Fortino Godinez, general manager at Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro, The Woodlands, Texas, advises retailers to study and know just how much themed product is needed. Order too little and overpromote, youÕll run out. ÒYou cannot reorder seasonal candy easily,Ó he warns. On the flipside, order too much and youÕre stuck with surplus that consumers will instantly UNUSUAL—BUT OFFICIAL—HOLIDAYS TO CELEBRATE Want to make every day a holiday? Take inspiration from real, national holidays that give nearly every type of confection its very own day. Here's a sampling, courtesy of Retail Confectioners International and State Symbols USA. JANUARY JULY 8 National English Toffee Day 15 Gummy Worm Day 26 National Peanut Brittle Day 20 National Lollipop Day FEBRUARY AUGUST 15 National Gumdrop Day 3 National Watermelon Day 26 National Pistachio Day 30 National Toasted Marshmallow Day MARCH SEPTEMBER National Peanut Month 4 World Chocolate Day 19 National Chocolate Caramel Day 22 National White Chocolate Day 28 National Something on a Stick Day Our Signature Favorite Available in 3pc & 7pc OCTOBER APRIL National Caramel Month 12 National Licorice Day 20 National Brandied Fruit Day 22 National Jelly Bean Day 22 National Nut Day MAY NOVEMBER 23 National Taffy Day Peanut Butter Lovers Month 31 National Macaroon Day 1–7 National Fig Week 30 National Mousse Day JUNE National Candy Month 800.372.6808 | Seattle, WA FANCY FOOD SHOW BOOTH 3320 Winter Fancy Food Show Booth 3320 48 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE ❘ specialtyfood.com DECEMBER 16 National Fudge Day 16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day 24 National Pralines Day 26 National Candy Cane Day READ ABOUT THE LATEST CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS introduced to the market at specialtyfood.com/onlinehighlights.