Get Popping with Champagne-Inspired Confections

With New Year’s Eve around the corner, we’re sharing bottle-popping ideas for champagne-inspired confections. This versatile flavor can be used to ring in the new year, celebrate a loved one for Valentine’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries or even make great wedding favors.

Photo credit: Hilliard’s Chocolates

Rosé Truffles

For those who love wine and chocolate, RCI member Hilliard’s Chocolates hits the mark with their rosé flavored ganache covered in rich, dark chocolate.

Photo credit: Sugarfina

Chocolate-Covered Champagne Gummy Bears

What’s better than the popular champagne gummy bears? Champagne gummy bears drenched in your signature chocolate couverture, of course.

Photo credit: Melville Candy

Champagne Lollipops

These gourmet cocktail lollipops from Melville Candy not only fit the bill with flavors like pink champagne, prosecco and champagne bubbles, they almost look too pretty to eat…almost.

Photo credit: Kopper’s Chocolate

Rosé Cordials

These rose cordials from Kopper’s Chocolate quite literally drip with class and the sparkling pink finish makes them even more irresistible.

Photo credit: Stress Baking

White Chocolate Champagne Truffles

Looking to create your own champagne-flavored delights? This recipe for white chocolate champagne truffles captures the essence of any celebration worthy of bottle popping! Click here for recipe from Stress Baking.

Photo credit: Jelly Belly Candy Company

Champagne and Rosé Jelly Beans

Toast any occasion with champagne and rosé jelly beans from RCI member, Jelly Belly Candy Company. They have all the flavor of a glass of bubbly in a mini-sized bottle with none of the alcohol.

Cheers to lots of bubbly confections and a sweet new year ahead!

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3 Ways to Generate Online Sales

With more consumers continually looking for opportunities to shop online, is your business taking full advantage of the online sales opportunities available to you? Keep reading for 3 areas that may represent new sales opportunities for your business.

Online

If you don’t already have the capability to sell products on your website, you could be missing out on a significant number of sales. This may seem obvious to some, but as of February 2021, one in four small businesses (28%) don’t have a website. If you do have a website, building and maintaining a website can still be a challenge. An outdated or inaccurate site may be what’s holding you back from your full online sales potential.

A survey by Top Design Firms found that almost half of small businesses (46%) have in-house employees manage their website and 32% use DIY website builders to create a basic website. Ecwid is a user-friendly option to add an online store to any site—with free and paid versions available.

Mobile

Did you know a third of all online purchases were made on mobile devices during the 2020 holiday season? If your website doesn’t make it easy for mobile users to view your website on their mobile devices, this could represent a missed sales opportunity for your business. Click here for a past blog post with tips on how to optimize your mobile site in 3 steps.

Social Media

Reach new and existing customers where they’re already spending time—on social media. Most popular social media sites, like Facebook and Instagram, have easy-to-use options for creating an online store. For many businesses, having an online store on Facebook may take the place of a website.

If your business isn’t already taking advantage of these sales opportunities, now is as good a time as any to get started!

Crave more? Click here to subscribe 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.

5 Easy Winter Holiday Ideas

Spanning from December to March, winter encompasses several notable confectionery holidays. With continued interest in sharing indulgent treats with friends and family in-person and from a distance this holiday season, we’re sharing fun and easy inspiration to capture sales.

Photo credit: Hilliard’s Chocolates

Hanukkah
With limited options for consumers celebrating Hanukkah, RCI member Hilliard’s Chocolates has found success with offering peppermint bark made with crushed blue peppermints. 

Photo credit: American Chocolate Designs

Christmas
Transfer sheets are an easy way to bring color and excitement to bon bons, chocolate bars, chocolate bark and dipped sandwich cookies. Get the look pictured from RCI member, American Chocolate Designs.

Photo credit: Hugs and Cookies XOXO

New Year’s

Help customers ring in the new year with a spirited twist on the ever-popular hot chocolate bombs. Pictured are boozy hot chocolate bombs from blogger Hugs and Cookies XOXO. Check your state’s liquor laws for restrictions. 

Photo credit: Caljava International

Valentine’s Day

Spread the love with hand-piped royal icing toppers which can save time and add value to your products. Snag these sweet toppers from RCI member, Caljava International. 

Photo credit: Candiquik.com

St. Patrick’s Day
Transform your existing truffles into pots of gold fit for teams of leprechauns. This fun idea comes from Candiquik.com.

Here’s to a winter holiday season full of sweetness!

Crave more? Click here to subscribe 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.

Trend Watch: Shoppers Looking to Treat Themselves this Holiday Season

43% of Americans will be adding themselves to their shopping list this holiday season.

According to the 2021 holiday shopping trend report by Sitecore, gift giving for the upcoming holiday season will experience a significant shift toward shoppers self-gifting as a form of therapy after another stress-filled pandemic year.

Here's some ideas of gifts for customers to treat themselves (from left to right): Rheo Thompson Candies offers a collection of customers' favorite sweet and salty snacks; treat yourself to new holiday decor, filled to the brim with chocolates from Marie's Candies; the gift of solid chocolate ornaments from Enstrom Candies help customers count down the days to Christmas with a sweet and decadent treat each day.

When executing your marketing and merchandising plans this holiday, consider ways to appeal to consumers looking to treat themselves. Just as you might feature a thoughtful selection of “gifts for Dad,” curate a collection of customer favorites labeled as “gifts for me” or “treat yourself.” Include options ranging in prices for the cost conscious to those wanting to lavish themselves in luxury. Promote self-gifting ideas on social media, your website and with in-store signage.

Additionally, consider pampering your loyal customers, who may be thinking of everyone but themselves leading up to the holidays by hosting a “treat yourself” giveaway.

Crave more? Click here to subscribe 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.

No-Sugar Added Hot Cocoa Bombs: Tips, Tricks & Recipe

Hot cocoa bombs were all the rage last year and so far, are coming in hot for the cooler fall and winter seasons. Although considered a very indulgent beverage treat, RCI partner, Blommer Chocolate Company, has shared their version with no sugar added!

Photo credit: Blommer Chocolate Company

If you’ve ever struggled with assembling hot cocoa bombs, Blommer also covers two methods of assembling and adhering hot cocoa bombs for you to try and choose your favorite.

Click here for detailed instructions and a recipe for no-sugar-added hot cocoa bombs, plus valuable tips and tricks for making the perfect hot cocoa bomb every time!

Crave more? Click here to subscribe 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.