Chocolate Shop - Ideas

[poochieparlour]

Hi guys, thanks for all your thoughts on my original thread with regards to the chocolate shop..

We have had some thoughts I wanted to raise:

1. Packaging - we know and artist within the family who is well known throughout the world, who is willing to the the boxes with his own work printed on them, would this appeal to anyone?

2. What flavours are people looking for?
we are looking to become different and use different flavours that we know work, for example a White Chocolate and Asparagus truffle

3. What would you as a customer expect to see on a website of ours in terms of products and things like celebration/wedding cakes, pastries

4.Would people be interested in a demonstrations, so we can show you how to make chocolates etc and you work along side us?

5. In the previous thread many people suggested that we dont sell our luxury chocolates at a market stall as this may cause us t loose that luxury appeal, and many suggested to sell online. My question is how would you suggest we market ourselves both online and offline?

I really do appreciate any help and advice given here, we are just trying to do some research while planning and if there is anything I have missed please let me know.

Thanks!
Mark

 

[citricsquid]

If you run a market stall, I'd suggest selling your 'cheapest' chocolate there, but also make every customer or person passing aware of your website and that you offer more 'luxury' chocolate; you could offer a free sample of your best chocolates with every smaller purchase, to guage interest and make people consider going to your website. Also, you should consider allowing people to see a catalogue, or similar, at your stall with the ability to fill in an order form, because not everyone has access to the internet, even though that's very few people, some may prefer to order IRL instead of online.

 

[Esk247]

when you get round to making your website..don't go for cheap!!! you're supposed to be selling 'LUXURY' chocolates so the website must have that luxury feel to it!

if you're going to be selling at high prices and selling high quality chocolate then the flavours must be of a similar variety to those found in expensive chocolate boxes..go buy some from a top class chocolatier and compare to your own.

everything about your product and customer service must say 'luxury' as otherwise it just won't work will it.

 

[poochieparlour]

Thanks for those replies, very helpful

 

[JRS!]

have you got an name? sure we can come up with a new logo, with the best idea getting a choccie bar

 

[Knife_fork_spoon]

My advice would be farmers markets...

Frequented by foodies, and willing to pay the extra few pounds..

 

[moo]

Hi Mark,

I think a chocolate shop is a fantastic idea and even though there is a lot of competition in Cambridge and new shops opening all the time (chocolat chocolat is opening on Regents Street soon), there is still space for you and I would also focus on selling online as you can reach a much wider audience.

I think the packaging should reflect your chocolate and ethos – If you are going to produce organic/Fair Trade chocolate – then look at recycled packaging.

In terms of flavouring I would have old favourites such as chocolate and orange or mint or caramel. I would then suggest a seasonal range to compliment it. Unusual combinations such as white chocolate and asparagus have lots of PR potential.

If you are a chocolate shop, I wouldn’t expect to see cakes on your website unless it was another arm of the business. I say stick to chocolate firsy, you can always break it down into truffles, bars, boxes, treats, gifts…

Demonstrations would work well and again this has good PR potential for you.

With regard to making there is a host of things that you can do both on and offline. Google adwords, PR, events, email marketing, sampling, networking, twitter, facebook…

I hope this helps.

Louise

---
cocktail pr
We get the mix right…

 

[poochieparlour]

Thanks very much guys, appreciate your helpful replies!

Moo, you raise some very good points, and I am pleased to get such input which could help the bsuiness. Like I mentioned in the previous thread we cant aford a shop initially so are looking elsewhere.

Farmemers markets are recommended by a few people so definately worth looking into, It was helpful to know there is another choc shop opening in cambridge as I didnt know if it.

I think by sounds of things there is def a demand for good home made chocs and we could fit in well and become a niche.

The cakes and things are something else we are considering as between us we will be able to produce them to a high standard too.

Thanks
Mark

 

[Stephen Berry]

I understand that you cannot afford a shop immediately - but how about this as a suggestion - looking ahead a bit?

Do, in Cambridge, for Chocolate what G&D's have done for ice cream in Oxford.
http://gdcafe.com/FrontPage/frontPage.htm

G&D's most obvious next expansion is Cambridge ... and then head for other small but famous university cities - e.g. Durham, York

They have a business recipe (bad pun) that works and can be replicated with chocolate. Steer clear of ice cream and you will compliment rather than compete - who knows, in time you could even have joint shops.

just a thought ......

 

[moo]

I understand that you cannot afford a shop immediately - but how about this as a suggestion - looking ahead a bit?

Do, in Cambridge, for Chocolate what G&D's have done for ice cream in Oxford.
http://gdcafe.com/FrontPage/frontPage.htm

G&D's most obvious next expansion is Cambridge ... and then head for other small but famous university cities - e.g. Durham, York

They have a business recipe (bad pun) that works and can be replicated with chocolate. Steer clear of ice cream and you will compliment rather than compete - who knows, in time you could even have joint shops.

just a thought ......

Fabulous idea!