How to market party bags?

[plymgary]

Hello,

I am opening up a sweet shop and wanted some ideas on how I could promote party bags to people in the local area? Schools are one of the obvious places but I'm not so sure they would be happy with me promoting unhealthy food there!

I will ask the schools anyway but, in the meantime, can anyone else think of other good places to promote them?

Cheers,

Gary :)

[papverpoppies]

Hello,

I am opening up a sweet shop and wanted some ideas on how I could promote party bags to people in the local area? Schools are one of the obvious places but I'm not so sure they would be happy with me promoting unhealthy food there!

I will ask the schools anyway but, in the meantime, can anyone else think of other good places to promote them?

Cheers,

Gary :)

Becareful on this one.

For obvious reasons it would be better if they could somehow come to you, to find out what you are about.

A strange person offering sweetie bags to 'children' might not go down well with some of the parents of your intended market.

What can seem so innocent, some folks can turn the wrong way.

You want good PR not bad.

A promotion day in the shop, or local high street - would that work?

Poppy

[plymgary]

Becareful on this one.

For obvious reasons it would be better if they could somehow come to you, to find out what you are about.

A strange person offering sweetie bags to 'children' might not go down well with some of the parents of your intended market.

What can seem so innocent, some folks can turn the wrong way.

You want good PR not bad.

A promotion day in the shop, or local high street - would that work?

Poppy

Haha, thanks Poppy. I've just spent the day counting the number of children walking past the shop. I expect I looked like a right paedo!! :p

I would approach the head teacher before doing anything with the schools. I wouldn't just randomly approach children....nobody can run a sweetshop from prison!! :D

[papverpoppies]

Hello,

I am opening up a sweet shop and wanted some ideas on how I could promote party bags to people in the local area? Schools are one of the obvious places but I'm not so sure they would be happy with me promoting unhealthy food there!

I will ask the schools anyway but, in the meantime, can anyone else think of other good places to promote them?

Cheers,

Gary :)

Just an idea!

Are you going to be open for halloween.

If so, use this along with the 'trick or treat' to promote your shop etc etc.

You can dress up (which kid does not like Halloween) and promote the goodies...

Poppy

[papverpoppies]

Haha, thanks Poppy. I've just spent the day counting the number of children walking past the shop. I expect I looked like a right paedo!! :p

I would approach the head teacher before doing anything with the schools. I wouldn't just randomly approach children....nobody can run a sweetshop from prison!! :D

Sad way to have to 'think' but better to be safe than sorry.

Who said you cannot run a sweet shop from prison:D - just think of the trade!!

Poppy

Good Luck by the way.

[Harry Spencer]

You could try and partner with some companies that might offer their facilities for childrens parties. Swimming pools and adventure playgrounds spring to mind but places where parents might take a team of kids for a birthday party, etc.

You could try approaching schools that might be hosting a party or summer fair for the kids, that way you'd be offering your party bags at an event where parents would be happier to let the kids eat sweets etc.

Hope this helps.

Harry

[eventdomain]

Attract your local community and if done right, should be all you need.

Knew of one newsagent, who lived 4 doors from us, and his shop was a little goldmine, as he lived in a double house and drove a jag! Dunno if the sweetie shop has the same effect these days, but when I was a kid, everyone loved quarters of cola cubes and 1p fruit salads, sherbet dips hehe.

Yum

[crossdaz]

Who said you cannot run a sweet shop from prison:D - just think of the trade!!



Depends how they'd pay him though? :eek:

[skyhi2]

Have you looked at the ranges of " healthy " sweets they have now ?

By that i mean the "natural ingredients " type ( if there is such a thing :-)

Haribo springs to mind,but i am sure there are others available.

Maybe select a special range to promote to schools as " Healthy " ?

Just my tuppence.

Skyhi2.

[SusanP]

Toddler groups, NCT groups, Cubs, Brownies, Rainbow Guides, Beavers, Tumbletots, creches at colleges, adult education centres etc. Even if it's a group for babies, a lot of them will have older siblings. Check out all your local church halls and similar. Often these places have a timetable displayed in a prominent place, so you will be able to see which groups meet there.

Establish a rapport with the local card shop. Many parents will go there looking for party invitations, so perhaps you could display your ad in the shop, or get the owner to recommend you, if you perform a reciprocal service for the card shop.

Do you only sell sweets or are you a newsagent? Can you put a flyer in the magazines you've got on sale (children's comics, but also magazines addressed to mothers) which purchasers will find when they get home?

[gessoandgold]

Customised Christmas Selection Bags? You could pretty them up with ribbons and labels offer ones ... containing the recipients favourite sweets! Make ones for people with certain food intolerances too, then nip swiftly round to your local paper with a small article and photo on what's available. See if the local pantos are interested in selling them in the foyer too.

[plymgary]

Thanks everybody for your ideas. Given me a few more ideas of how to get in touch with potential customers. :)

[grace12]

Get some samples made up and go round some groups. Brownies, boys brigade, toddler groups etc.Maybe a local shop would allow you to do a small display for a small charge , our local newsagent has a glass cabinet with local arts and crafts displays.