Does your store sell gourmet food or candy? With 70 billion dollars in yearly sales, candies and gourmet foods are a lucrative product line that appeal to a wide customer base. If you are already selling them, great! If you don’t sell gourmet food and candy, you are missing out.

For those new to gourmet food, chocolates, and candies, you should investigate all the possibilities that these niche markets offer. Begin by checking out the many wholesale gourmet food suppliers and wholesale chocolate and candy vendors, available on FGmarket.

Specialty Food & Candies

Corporate Sales

What does going corporate mean? It is about targeting corporations as a segment of your market place or customer base. In this marketing strategy, corporations are any business whether large, small or sole-proprietorship.

The object of marketing is to define who your customers are and to satisfy their needs with your products. Like any other customer, corporations have wants and needs.

They have the need to prove their appreciation to hardworking employees and valuable customers. Around the holidays, corporations often give gifts as a way to show their appreciation.

You want to capitalize on the corporate gift-giving purchases taking place each year. How and with what products can you achieve this goal? Candies and gourmet foods are a good way to break into the corporate gift-giving market. After all, specialty foods provide the perfect one-size-fits-all gift.

Making Corporate Sales Work For You

Begin with a marketing contact plan. Create a list of companies you plan to target with your marketing activities. Start with businesses you already have a relationship with, such as your local bank or insurance provider. To expand your list, contact your local Chamber of Commerce; they can give the address and contact name for every business and manufacturer in your area.

Once you have developed your marketing target list, you can go ahead with the development your marketing message for this niche.

Creating A Profitable Corporate Product Mix

Gourmet Jams

Remember, as a reflection of their company the perceived value of the gift is important. However, the profitability of their company is a major concern for businesses.  Therefore, price and perceived value are very important to the corporate client.

To capture this business, you’ll need cost-effective gifts with a dazzling presentation. It is essential that you offer three to five price options.

When developing corporate gift selections, choose standard mark-up items that you can apply a 5-15% discount for volume orders while still turning a profit.

Include items in a low price range (like a $10 to $15 gourmet chocolate bar or a specialty jelly or jam), a mid price range and a luxury price range (truly custom gift baskets) in your gift options.

Marketing Your Candy, Chocolates and Gourmet Foods

It is all about the presentation.  Every retailer knows the importance of displaying products to attract customers. The only difference with corporate customers is where they see your products.  Instead of coming to your place of business, you may need to go to theirs.

Creating go-the-go marketing pieces helps close the sale.  Make up samples of the gift baskets, take photos, and print a flyer or brochure that includes a list of  all the items, pricing and volume discounts. Having been a retail shop owner, I know creating sales brochures and directly marketing pieces are a bit intimidating especially when targeting specific places and people. But, these on-the-go samples and marketing pieces are a necessary tool for attracting corporate clients.  Don’t forget to include your business card inside the basket; this way the receiver will know where to go for the yummy treats.

Assorted Chocoalte Truffles

• Find out who the contacts are for each company. Simply phone the company and asking who is in charge of gifts and  promotions. If you can’t get the information, then mail out the  brochures to the owner or manager of the business.
• Phone the contact person and share with them what you can offer and that you’d love to met with them and give a sampling of the gourmet food and candies you handle.

Selling to corporate accounts isn’t difficult. It just takes a bit of planning Continue reading “Make An Impact With Corporate Accounts” »