7 Buying & Inventory Tips for Retail Confectioners

The COVID-19 outbreak caught everyone by surprise. There were so many unknowns at the beginning of the outbreak, which caused many producers to reevaluate their inventories and production plans. The full impact of the pandemic on the supply chain is still not fully known. The confectionery industry has felt the ramifications of COVID-19 from raw materials to finished products. The lack of a steady and healthy workforce has also contributed to the already challenging circumstances. RCI member Christopher Romocean, with Linnea’s Candy Supplies, shares seven ways businesses can avoid or at least help mitigate the effects of supply shortages.

1. Plan further ahead than you usually would. Just-in-time purchasing may have worked well in the past, however, building a higher-than-normal inventory of supplies and thinking further into the future when ordering will help provide a buffer when supplies are limited or nonexistent.

2. Build long-term relationships with your suppliers. Building trust and communicating with your suppliers will get you the best and most current information about supply issues, lead times and advice about how to best deal with your situation.

3. Provide forecasts to your suppliers. If your suppliers know what you will need, especially if your needs have changed, the chances of getting products when you need them increases dramatically. Uncertain demand from your customers will make this process difficult, but your best estimate is better than no estimate at all.

4. Use technology. If you are able to look at historical data and add in any projections for new business, you will have a fairly accurate idea of what to stock, as well as, what to provide as a forecast to your suppliers. Your suppliers may also be able to help you by providing reports of your past purchasing history.

5. Place orders in advance with future ship dates. If you are able to predict what you are going to need in the future, place orders with future ship dates. While this is not a guarantee the product will be available, by ordering with an extended lead time your window for availability is much wider and your chances of getting what you want will increase.

6. Be flexible, if possible. Due to a number of unforeseen circumstances, it is possible that your usual products and supplies may not available for a prolonged period of time. If all the planning and forecasting is not enough to bridge the gap, be prepared to have the flexibility to substitute with similar products that are available. This is not an ideal solution for many confectioners who have been using the same products to produce their confections for many years, but one of necessity to keep their business open during these unprecedented times.

7. Check with suppliers before committing to new projects. Check with your suppliers about availability before taking on a new or large project. If supply issues can be identified before a commitment is made for a project, alternatives may be offered by your supplier to help find a suitable replacement and keep the project moving forward.

While there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach; using any purchasing strategies available to get your business through these difficult periods will help. With so many unknowns in our industry involving long lead times, shortages or challenges predicting demand, communication and planning will be the two most important things you can focus on to increase your chances of getting what you need, when you need it.

Being a member of RCI is also a great resource when a crisis arises. RCI members are more than willing to share information and insight on how to navigate through difficult circumstances. The wealth of knowledge and experience of RCI members that can be tapped into is priceless whether it is in person, through a live virtual event or through RCI’s online forum, The Candy Dish, where members can pose a question online and receive feedback from fellow members.

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Increase Easter Sales: Host a Peep-Pop Event

After shutting down their manufacturing facility due to COVID-19, Peeps are back just in time for Easter (learn more)! This week we're sharing one way to celebrate the return of this iconic confection. 

In 2019, RCI member Dolle’s Candyland, Inc. in Ocean City, Maryland shared a clever Easter idea that is too good not to share. Although many businesses are still wrestling with COVID-19 limitations, in some areas restrictions have let up substantially. While we still encourage practicing caution with regards to the virus, we are hopeful some businesses will be able to incorporate the elements of a Peep Pop event whether it be as a virtual event, an outdoor event or with participation limits.

When Dolle’s Candyland made plans to open a fourth retail store, they wanted to incorporate space where kids could enjoy hands-on candy-making experiences. For Easter 2019, Dolle’s used that space to create an event for families to bring their kids and make an “Easter Bunny Peep Pop” in their store.

After creating a public event on Facebook to spread the word, they were surprised to see people lined up out the door to make chocolate-covered Peeps. “I didn’t know that I would need stanchions [to direct the crowd],” Anna Dolle Bushnell explained, “I think we [as candy makers] take for granted what we do—people really love candy. It’s such a great thing to give them an experience like this, that really is very minimal.”

Peep Pop Procedure

Dolle's shares their "recipe" for creating a successful Easter Peep Pop event with these five easy-to-follow steps:

#1: Distribute hand wipes and have children roll up their sleeves.

Dolle's team was prepared with a large container of hand wipes, purchased from Amazon to make hand-washing a breeze while kiddos waited in line.

#2: Write child’s name on the bottom of a paper plate.

This step allows for you to hold the peep “hostage” (you’ll learn why on step #4) while it cools.

#3: Let each child dip Peep Pop in chocolate, place it on a plate and add a mini marshmallow “tail.”

This is where it’s important to keep steps to a minimum—little to no decorations are necessary. Having hosted a similar event previously, Dolle's has learned the value of keeping it simple, “if you leave sprinkles out, the kids will want to use all the sprinkles,” noted Anna. Another important tip, make sure to have a step-stool for the smaller children.

#4: Hold the Peep Hostage

This is step was emphasized by Dolle's for good reason, “Instead of walking around the store with a wet, chocolate Peep Pop, we put it through the enrober line until the Peep Pop was set up.” Adding that placing the pops in front of a fan or in the refrigerator would be suitable alternatives for anyone who doesn’t have an enrober.

The key to this step, and the overall success of this event, is while the chocolate cooled, participating families had about ten minutes to shop in their retail store.

#5: After Peep Pop is set, announce child's name in shop.

When ready, a member of the Dolle's team would read the name on the bottom of each plate before presenting the child with their finished Peep Pop. “Most of the kids would gobble it right up, but some did take them home,” Anna noted. “Some of them were beautiful, while some of them would end up having a whole pool of chocolate.”

The Conclusion

Due to the buzz created by this free, one-day event, Dolle’s Candyland increased their sales by 150% more than the day before. “People were just so thankful that we did it and some adults did it too,” added Anna. If restrictions in your area prevent your store from hosting an event, consider boxing up the ingredients and supplies for customers to make Peep Pops at home. Wishing you a “hoppy” Easter!

Crave more? If you like what you read here, 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. RCI's 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. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

7 Ways to Step Up Your Social Media Marketing

During RCI’s regional conference last spring, Tiffany Langlinais of Freret & Napoleon shared practical ways for retail confectioners to approach marketing in today’s social world. Langlinais pulled from her experience working with RCI member Laura’s Candies to share how candy makers of any size can elevate their online presence.

Is your business currently using platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest? These are all avenues to connect not only with your current customer base, but also potential customers. Even more importantly, you should be using these platforms to sell your products.

Step up your social media marketing with the following tips:

• Research your favorite brands. What are they doing with social media that catches your attention?
• Make an attainable schedule for posting to social media regularly.
• Create a routine for posts. Pick a specific day of the week to post, even if it’s only once a week.
• For topic inspiration, check out any number of national holiday calendars. RCI members: Don’t forget to use RCI’s wall calendar as a resource for tracking confectionery-related holidays.
• Invite a fan to “takeover” your social media page and post about your confections.
• Create shopping catalogs on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest platforms.
• Create professional-looking posts by utilizing free resources such as Canva, Snapseed and Afterlight.

RCI members can login at retailconfectioners.org/pasteducation to view Tiffany Langlinais' full presentation on social media marketing, along with other education from RCI events.

We hope you are able to apply at least a couple of these ideas to step up your social media marketing!

Crave more? If you like what you read here, 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. RCI's 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. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

10 Tips for Making Your Business More Eco-Friendly

April 22 is Earth Day—which serves as an important reminder to do your part to protect the environment. Not only do green business practices benefit the planet, they can also help your business save money.

Tips like turning off lights and recycling waste are great places to start. If you’re looking to take your efforts to the next level, we’re sharing eco-friendly ideas from people looking to make a difference.

1. Explore using recycled or sustainable packaging—consider using shredded paper scraps as your packing material, in place of Styrofoam peanuts.
2. Incentivize customers to practice eco-friendly habits—offer a discount to customers who participate in a local Earth Day event (greenbiz.com).
3. One retail business started a program called “change for bags,” asking customers if they would like to refuse a bag. For every customer that refused a bag, the cashier dropped a nickel in a jar. After filling the jar with coins, the retailer donated the money to an environmental cause (smallbiztrends.com).
4. Replace wooden pallets with reusable ones to save trees (effectwebagency.com)
5. When purchasing a new computer, consider purchasing a laptop instead of a traditional desktop computer. Not only are laptops more portable, they also use less energy. Don’t forget to recycle old electronics too (sba.gov).
6. Save paper by eliminating paper payroll checks and paystubs. Explore options for communicating this information online.
7. Buy used or refurbished equipment—RCI’s classifieds listing is a great resource for finding used and refurbished candy-making equipment. We get new adds on a regular basis, so check back often. Click here to view RCI’s classifieds.
8. Did you know you can recycle and refill ink cartridges? Look for stores (local and online) that recycle printer cartridges—some will even offer discounts for purchasing a replacement recycled printer cartridge (stretchingyourcash.com).
9. Involve your staff when brainstorming eco-friendly improvements for your business, not only will they appreciate the opportunity to share their ideas, they’ll be more likely to have more buy-in on the ideas that are implemented.
10. Celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree (or trees) on your property or incorporate live, potted plants into your office space. Experts recommend one plant for every 100 square feet of office space (smallbiztrends.com).

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate planet Earth than by taking care of it! How do you plan to celebrate Earth Day this year?

Crave more? If you like what you read here, 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. 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. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

How to Create a Faux Chocolate Bunny for your Easter Display

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 sprightly, three-foot-tall chocolate bunny in all its glory is not worth the investment of time and resources every year, especially leading up to a busy holiday. 

This week’s tip will allow you to deliver the same impact only a large chocolate Easter bunny 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 Easter bunny (or turkey, life-size football, snowman, Santa, etc.) out of Plaster of Paris.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Chocolate Bunny Look-Alike
By RCI member, Marie’s Candies of West Liberty, Ohio

Marie's Candies has made plaster Easter bunnies so realistic, it's hard to tell the difference.

Materials needed:

• Plaster of Paris
• Mixing bowl
• Popsicle stick (or other mixing utensil)
• Access to water
• Brown acrylic paint or spray paint
• Paint brush
• Glue gun (optional)
• Icing eyes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make sure your favorite chocolate bunny mould is clean. The great thing about using moulds you already have is the Easter bunny in your display will look just like the real chocolate bunnies you want to sell.
2. Follow the mixing instructions on a package of Plaster of Paris.
3.  Wet the inside of the mould, so the Easter bunny can be removed easily. Fill the mould a quarter at a time, tapping it to remove air.
4. Remove the bunny from the mould after one hour and let it dry for 24 hours.
5. Wash the mould and any other tools immediately after use.
6. Once the bunny is dry, use spray paint or a brush to paint it chocolate brown.
7. 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.

Crave more? If you like what you read here, 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. RCI's 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. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.