Retail Confectioners International

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Trend Alert: Think Win-Win with Cross-Branding

In the popular leadership book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People^®, author Stephen Covey identifies the win-win mentality as one of those habits. Covey describes win-win as “a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions.” I can think of few greater examples of practicing “win-win” in business than by collaborating with a fellow local business to create a new product that highlights the best of both brands.

Cross branding is a marketing and product development tactic that continues to grow traction in the confectionery industry. The possibilities can stretch as far as your imagination allows, but here’s some inspiration.

Photo: Hilliard’s Chocolates

Craft Beer
RCI member, Hilliard’s Chocolates teamed up with a local brewery to create a craft beer collection featuring beer caramels and beer brittles. The popularity of micro-breweries has exploded in recent years, making it pretty likely there’s a nearby micro-brewery (or two, or three…) that would be happy to team up with your business to develop a unique, new product.

Photo: Stafford’s Chocolates

Wine
Even if you don’t live near California wine country, you may be surprised to find a local winery near you. According to vineyards.com, wine is produced in all 50 US states. Many wines make a great complement to a chocolate ganache center, like in the red wine chocolate truffles by RCI member Stafford’s Chocolates.

Photo: Rhéo Thompson Candies

Coffee
Partner with a local coffee roaster to develop a signature coffee flavor or a confection featuring their coffee. Known for their Mint Smoothie^®, RCI member Rhéo Thompson partnered with a local coffee roaster to develop a one-of-a-kind coffee blend featuring their signature flavor.

Photo: Vande Walle’s Candies

Dairy
Local dairy farms are a great opportunity for sourcing fresh cream and butter for your recipes. Don’t overlook goat milk as an alternative ingredient for customers with dairy allergies.

Photo: Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections

Fruits & Nuts
Is your region known for producing a specific fruit or nut? If so, you may not have to look too far to connect with local farmers to feature their products in your confections. You may even find this route to be more economical than sourcing those ingredients elsewhere.

Of course, developing a marketing and merchandising strategy is essential to make any cross-branding reach its full potential—you could also benefit by teaming up with the partnering company’s marketing team. Once your new product has been developed send out a press release to the local media announcing your partnership. Make sure to include the partnering company’s logo on your packaging and marketing materials, this will help to sweeten the deal for your partner and make it more likely they will help promote your product. Also, invite them to sell the product in their retail store and e-commerce site to promote the product to their network of followers.

Cross branding is a win-win for all those involved, but especially your customers when they get to enjoy the end result of your sweet collaboration!

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Tuesday, November 22, 2022

5 Quick & Easy Treats to Add to your Stocking Stuffer Display

Add extra dollars to in-store and online purchases by selling more stocking stuffers this holiday season. Last week, we shared how to sell more stocking stuffers by identifying products that meet 2 key components. Click here to read last week’s post. This week we’re sharing 5 quick and easy ideas for products to beef up your stocking stuffer display.

Photo: Bon Bon’s Candy House

1. Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Rods – With the addition of festive sprinkles or crushed peppermint candy, this indulgent treat makes a perfect stocking stuffer. We recommend packaging pretzel rods in groups of three to capture a higher price point.

Photo: Marie’s Candies

2. Chocolate-Dipped Candy Canes – Take your candy canes to the next level by dipping them in dark or milk chocolate.

Photo: Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates

3. Hot Cocoa Mix – Always a welcome wintry treat, hot cocoa is a natural fit for any stocking. Check out RCI’s blog post about creating your own gourmet hot cocoa mix.

Photo: Jelly Belly

4. Jelly Beans – This jelly bean sampler is not only cute and festive, it would fit perfectly in any stocking.

Photo: The Madelaine Chocolate Company

5. Foil-Wrapped Chocolates – With a variety of shapes, sizes and price points, foil-wrapped chocolates are always a great option for stocking stuffers.

More Stocking Stuffer Display Inspiration
Even if you have all the best stocking stuffers, but don’t help these items stand out through marketing and merchandising efforts you will sadly miss many sales opportunities during the holidays. Create clear in-store signage to signify your collection of stocking stuffer gifts and create a separate page for these items as part of your online store.

Examples of stocking stuffer retail displays. The top display from the Container Store is well-marked and the Christmas tree tiered display is festive and creates visual interest. The bottom two displays are marked and well organized and use stockings to help drive home the purpose of these gift ideas.

This display at Sur La Table is well-marked and includes gift ideas at various price points, all under $25.

Even if shoppers didn’t come to your store or website looking for stocking stuffers, showcasing your stocking stuffers will increase the sale of these products. Additional communication on social media, emails and on your website will also increase sales.

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

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

How to Sell More Stocking Stuffers

With gentle nudging, you can help ensure stockings (and your bottom line) overflow with sweetness this holiday season! Stockings stuffers are the ultimate impulse purchase, representing the opportunity to add a few extra dollars to in-store and online purchases. In this week’s post, we’re exploring two key components that make for great stocking stuffers and how to increase sales with effective marketing and merchandising.

Price
In a report by Field Agent, 51% of survey respondents spent between $10-25 per stocking, while 24% spend between $26-50 each. This emphasizes the importance of identifying more inexpensive gifts. We recommend identifying gift ideas in 3 pricing tiers to appeal to different budgets, ranging from low, middle range to high. Select a range that best fits your prices, but an example would be $5 and under, $6-$10 and $10 and up.

While stocking stuffers are typically small and inexpensive, don’t shy away from items with a higher price point. As the saying goes “the best things come in small packages.” Consumers may be more willing to spend more for gifts that will create more of an impact. While you don’t want all your stocking stuffer options to be pushing the price threshold, identifying a few items that are small, but mighty can create a real impact for both the gift giver and recipient.

Photo: Lake Champlain

Packaging
While sticking to a general price range is important when identifying stocking stuffers, the packaging (or size) of a product is pretty much non-negotiable. Standard-size Christmas stockings range in length from 18 to 28 inches. With that said, by getting creative with your packaging you could encourage customers to spend more. For example, you could sell a single individually wrapped item ($) or you could sell multiple items packaged in a long, slender box (like pictured above) or small bag ($$$). Take notes from major candy brands like M&Ms that sell candy cane-shaped tubes for Christmas or Lindt's small bag of truffles.

Stocking stuffer display at Nordstrom's

Merchandising
While scavenger hunts are fun and all, impulse purchases happen when shoppers aren’t actually shopping for that product. Creating a well-marked display of stocking stuffers near the front of the store or near check out will make it easier for shoppers to find these products and increase the likelihood of them making a purchase. As for online merchandising, consider creating a themed web-page with a grouping of stocking stuffers, as well as social media posts to promote gift ideas. You may have all the best stocking stuffers, but if you don’t help these items stand out through marketing and merchandising efforts you will sadly miss many sales opportunities during the holidays.

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

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

5 Surprising Ways to use Sweet Potato in Confections this Fall

This week we’re gaining inspiration from one of the most underestimated fall ingredients—the sweet potato. While it’s unlikely that the sweet potato currently holds a spot in your collection of candy ingredients, we’re hoping you’ll give this surprisingly versatile super spud a chance to prove its worth in your candy kitchen this fall.

If sweet potato casserole is part of your family’s Thanksgiving spread, you may have thought to yourself, “this is good enough to be dessert!” That’s not just because of the gooey, toasted marshmallows on top. When roasted, sweet potatoes weep liquid which can be reduced to a naturally sweet, thick and creamy texture similar to caramel sauce. Add sugar, butter and heavy cream to make a more earthy variation of caramel or omit the dairy completely to make a vegan caramel.

Photo: Oh My Veggies

Spiced Sweet Potato Caramels
Like sweet potato casserole, but better! This recipe is similar to pumpkin caramel, but with pureed sweet potato. You could use canned sweet potato puree to save time, but more importantly, consider layering this caramel with marshmallow to achieve the full sweet-potato-casserole effect. Or coat in chocolate and top with sea salt, because, why not?!

Photo: Dude Sweet Chocolate

Dulce de leche and Sweet Potato
Though a turkey shape may be a timelier application here, we’re loving this combination of dulce de leche, sweet potato and sea salt encased in dark chocolate.

Photo: AllRecipes/Bruce’s Yams

Salted Cashew Sweet Potato Fudge
Although unexpected, canned yams and cashew butter contribute to the rich flavor of this fudge recipe. Give it a try and you may find it to be a new fall favorite.

Photo: Mission Chocolate

Sweet Potato Dark Chocolate Bar
Inspired by dulce de batata (a Dominican sweet potato pudding), this bean-to-bar chocolate maker uses sweet potato as substitute for animal milk in their vegan chocolate line.

Sweet Potato Caramel Sauce
This approach is not for everyone, but if you enjoy experimenting and can appreciate a very minimal ingredient list and/or want to grow your vegan customer base, this two-ingredient recipe for sweet potato caramel sauce may be worth a try. This sauce could be used for savory or sweet applications and could the base for a number of other sweet potato experiments.

Move over pumpkin and make room for the versatile sweet potato as a new favorite fall ingredient! Not only is the sweet potato a beloved addition to many holiday potlucks (shout out to sweet potato casserole and pie!), it is also a superstar in the vegan community. If you find the humble sweet potato as endearing as we do, share your sweet potato confections on RCI’s Facebook page @retailconfectioners.

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

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Merchandising Tips for Candy Shops: 11 Quick Tips for Maximum Impact

This week’s post is a must read for candy retailers looking for a merchandising refresh as holiday shopping and festivities begin to pick up speed. Past RCI President Adele Malley and founder of Malley’s School of Merchandising shares expert merchandising quick tips designed to sell more product and maximize your retail space.

Go up, use the air. Make each column of boxes higher than ever before, however, do not display every collection in columns—it is boring.
Break up displays by arranging the boxes differently. Plan for low stacks; vertical boxes sloping next to each other; boxes leaning against the high stacks of the same kind and size; put a strong twist on boxes.
Place gift bags in a stand or container to give them more stability.
Arrange boxes, around or off-center, from a sample box or picture.
Present a jumble of smaller, same content boxes in a massive bowl with low sides. The bowl will add depth, dimensions, and the juxtaposition of round versus boxes adds fun and eye interest.
Intermix different size boxes, for example, half-pound boxes with one-pound boxes, to prevent needing a dedicated space for each.
If displayed items have the dual purpose of showing and selling, make a run of the look by using two or three boxes as backing for the two or three leaning small boxes placed in front. The expanse will tempt the eye; it will be attractive and very sellable. In front of those boxes, if room, slope boxes on each other for easy selecting.
Breakup expanses of horizontal views to interest the eye and increase storage and display space. Go up!
Use shelving to get additional vertical height. One deep shelf will help and can be effective in a short section.
Create bump-outs to help relieve the eye and create drama. Create a simple, custom display table by cutting a wooden board into a quarter of a half-circle and attach table legs.
Use cake stands to create elevation in displays. Display a box sample sitting on one or two actual wrapped boxes. The tabletop below surrounds with boxes.

Recreate this look: Give boxes in a column a slight twist and make them easier to pick up. Decide how to use the display. Copy the setup as shown; stretch out the whole presentation or take ideas from it. The round frame, being a different shape, calls attention to itself and brings softness in contrast to the hard box edges.

If you are used to nice and neat stacks of product and clean rows, these tips may seem counterintuitive to you. Adele explained during a Candy Clinic presentation on merchandising that sometimes techniques that look too neat and orderly can actually deter interested buyers, because they don’t want to disrupt the display. Adele recommends giving boxes a “strong twist” makes them easier to pick up and more inviting to shoppers.

We love that most of these quick tips could be easily incorporated into your retail display today. You could start by incorporating one tip at a time and easily have a totally refreshed retail space in no time at all! Consider devoting some time to watching customers shop your refreshed displays. Involve your staff, by asking their opinions of the changes and to make note of customer behaviors to observe their effectiveness. We’d love to hear what tips you’ve incorporated into your retail space and how well they’ve worked for you on Facebook, by sharing and tagging us @retailconfectioners.

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

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Apple Cider Infused Treats: Perfect for Fall

Long before pumpkin spice lattes were a thing, spiced apple cider was quite possibly the undisputed official beverage of fall. While pumpkin spice can be found nearly everywhere this time of year, there are still some of us who look forward to tracking down high-quality apple cider at the local farmers’ market or a roadside farmstand. Together the fresh apple flavor paired with the aroma of warming spices elicits all the cozy feels.

Before apple month draws to a close, we pay homage to the regal apple with apple cider infused confections.

Photo: This Mess is Ours

Cider Spiced Candy Apples

Put a fall spin on your candy apple recipe by adding apple cider to your recipe—or try this recipe on for size. This could also be applied to caramel apples by making an apple cider caramel. Check out this recipe for apple cider caramels.

Photo: Culinary Ginger

Apple Cider Caramel Popcorn
The addition of spiced apple cider brings a welcome depth of flavor to any caramel recipe—including caramel popcorn.

Photo: Dessert Now Dinner Later

Spiced Cider Fudge
This easy white chocolate fudge is flavored with apple cider and pieces of toffee for texture.

We hope you enjoy this post! If you try any of these recipes or would like to share photos of your favorite apple cider infused confections on Facebook, tag us @retailconfectioners.

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

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Create Your Own Gourmet Hot Cocoa Mix

People were drinking chocolate as early as 500 BC. Granted the chocolate in their cups was far different from the hot chocolate we are familiar with now. Today’s version is much sweeter and typically includes milk. Since the introduction of hot cocoa bombs, the popularity of this classic hot beverage has, well, exploded! Pun intended.

We’re not telling you to jump on the hot cocoa bomb band wagon (although that has proven to be a successful product for many candy makers), but if you aren't currently offering hot cocoa mix to consumers, you could be missing out on a sweet sales opportunity. This week, we’re sharing tips for creating your own brand of gourmet hot cocoa mix (including packaging ideas) and a few creative flavors which could be applied to your packaged hot cocoa mix or inside hot cocoa bombs.

Creating Your Own Hot Cocoa Mix
To start, consider crafting a hot cocoa blend that mirrors or complements the flavor notes of the chocolate used in your signature chocolate products. Naturally, your customers will expect a familiar chocolate flavor experience they likely have become accustom to with your chocolate confections. Contact your chocolate supplier to source a cocoa powder that is similar to your chocolate and ask for recommendations. Some chocolate suppliers have their own variety of sweetened cocoa powder for hot chocolate, but if not, you will have to add sugar (keep reading for more details). Don’t fret if you aren’t able to match it exactly, you might consider adding chocolate shavings to your mix to achieve a closer flavor profile. If you do add chocolate shavings, make sure to note this on your packaging and in your product description as it will be seen as added value by consumers.

To make your own gourmet hot cocoa mix, all you need is the unsweetened cocoa powder of your choice, a lot of sugar and a little salt. Experiment to find your perfect blend, but we recommend starting with 1 cup of granulated sugar to every ½ to ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus ½ teaspoon of salt.

Some recipes call for the addition of powdered milk; however, consider how this may exclude those with dairy allergies and sensitivities. If you do leave out milk powder, direct customers to only use your hot cocoa mix with milk or their favorite dairy alternative (not water) or they will not achieve the desired results (water + chocolate = never a good mix). This will also ensure their cup of hot cocoa from you, tastes at least 10 times better than most hot cocoa mixes on the market.

Photo credit (clockwise): Dandelion Chocolate, Graham’s Fine Chocolates, Pioneer Woman, Kakao Chocolate

Packaging Hot Cocoa Mix
Anyone familiar with hot cocoa mix from the grocery store is used to the individual portions in an aluminum foil packet. Premium or creative packaging can help sell your gourmet product for you. No matter how you package it, do so it a way that communicates the quality of your product.

Resealable Bags
Resealable bags with a label allow hot cocoa lovers to make as much or as little hot cocoa as they’d like and seal it for freshness.

Tins
Tins are a classic vessel for packaging hot cocoa and certainly convey a high-end look and feel.

Glass Jars
Glass jars play communicate a sense of craftsmanship with the added benefit of allowing the consumer to see the contents. This is an especially great option for mixes with inclusions like chocolate shavings or chunks, marshmallows and etc.

Creative Containers
Let your creativity lead the way with all the fun packaging options out there! We like how RCI Member Kakao Chocolate of Maplewood, MO uses Chinese food takeout containers to package their hot cocoa mix. Each box is tied with a colored ribbon designating the variety of hot cocoa mix enclosed. See pictured above.

Hot Cocoa Flavor Ideas
It’s hard to beat the original, but if you’re looking to pump up the flavor in your packaged hot cocoa mix or inside your hot cocoa bombs, here’s some ideas.

Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa
Simply add chocolate shavings or chocolate chips to transform your original hot cocoa to double chocolate.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Take this classic flavor to the next level by adding crushed peppermints and pairing it with a couple mint meltaways or patties either in the package or packaged separately.

Peanut Butter Cup Hot Cocoa
Appeal to peanut butter lovers by adding peanut butter chips or shavings of peanut butter confectioners coating to your hot cocoa mix for a crunchy, melty surprise.

Chai Spice Hot Cocoa
Sipping a cup of hot cocoa mixed with chai spices is as cozy as wrapping yourself in a warm and fuzzy blanket. Check out this recipe.

Photo credit: Graham’s Fine Chocolates

Marshmallow Hot Cocoa
If you make your own marshmallow, this is a great opportunity to add value to your product. We like how RCI Member Graham’s Fine Chocolates gives online shoppers the option to buy their hot cocoa tin and homemade marshmallows together or separately—so if you want to add an extra bag of homemade marshmallows you can.

Creating your own gourmet hot cocoa mix is a great add because it’s super easy to make and ship (it doesn’t melt—hey-oh!), it makes for a great gift and, well, it’s hot cocoa! Cheers to hot cocoa season! Tag us on Facebook @retailconfectioners and share a photo of your gourmet hot cocoa!

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

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Caramel Twists & Pairings: 3 Variations of Caramel to Try

Consumers’ flavor preferences are divided between two trends. One based on comforting and nostalgic, more traditional flavors and the other on novelty, experimentation and intensity. These are not mutually exclusive; consumers will migrate between the two based on individual needs and external factors, shared Chiara Calcagnini and Eva Teyssier with Barry Callebaut in an article written for RCI’s Kettle Talk magazine.

Experimental: Caramel with a Twist

Consumers love to try out new flavor combinations. A caramel flavor with a twist can provide enough of a familiar ground to persuade them to take the plunge towards novelty flavors or ingredients. Twists also bring new life and interest to offerings that may otherwise be overlooked because they’ve been seen so many times before.

Twists and pairings

Caramel pairs wonderfully with a variety of different inclusions to create multi-sensorial experiences. Combinations with healthier inclusions like seeds, nuts and dried fruits are especially appealing for consumers. All sorts of caramel twists including combinations with cocktail-based flavors, rosemary and sea salt, cocoa nibs, etc. can bring your caramel creations to a next level and create an elevated and premium perception. Caramel also has incredible potential to satisfy various eating occasions and consumer needs. For example, caramel and caramel products are the perfect solution for the rising trend of on-the-go consumer snacking.

In the spirit of exploring new and creative twists on caramel, we’re sharing 3 variations of caramel flavors to try this fall.

Photo credit: Shotwell Candy Co.

Old Fashioned Cocktail Caramels

If a caramel walked into a bar—a swanky, retro bar—it might walk out tasting like Shotwell Candy Co.’s “Old Fashioned” Cocktail Caramels. Described as “buttery soft caramel, infused with aromatic bitters, barrel-aged bourbon, and orange extract.”

Photo credit: King Arthur Baking Company

Salted Rosemary Caramel Sauce

For herbaceous twist on your class caramel recipe, add a hint of fresh rosemary. This recipe for salted rosemary caramel sauce calls for boiled apple cider to add a more refined flavor and also recommends straining the caramel to remove any remaining pieces of rosemary.

Sweet tip: Speaking of caramel sauce, if you have a great caramel recipe and aren’t currently making caramel sauce, this could be a natural variation which would give your customers another way to enjoy your caramel.

Photo credit: Love & Olive Oil

Dark Chocolate Cocoa Nib Caramels

Especially if you already have chocolate caramels in your wheelhouse, adding cocoa nibs is sure to elevate your recipe with welcome texture and crunch elements. Check out this recipe from Love & Olive Oil.

Adding a twist to your caramel creations can elevate them from ordinary to interesting and even trendy, especially for younger consumers. If you’re interested in learning more about the science of crafting perfect caramels, click here to get notified when registration opens for RCI’s Caramels, Toffees & Brittles education course in Orlando, Florida February 21-23, 2023.

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