Gift Basket Service!!!!!

[teady79]

Hi members,

I am just starting a gift basket service that also includes 'nappy cakes'(baby items,made into the shape of a cake,as a gift for newborns). I have already sold a few 'nappy cakes', and also some pamper gift baskets to order for xmas etc. My husband seems to think it will only ever bring'pocket money' type earnings!! I know to make it busy and worthy enough,i need to really push the marketing! I would also visit local business's etc with samples and leaflets etc and showing how versatile it is by how each basket can be tailored to suit each individual and priced to suit.
​

I would love as much feedback as possible, saying if you agree with my
husband! Or if you think i have a chance!!

p.s. As i am partially disabled,this is something i can easily run from home and manageable for my disability.
Thanks Guys

 

[Feature]

Hi teady79, I've never heard of this concept before. I can't either agree or disagree. I'm quite interested to know why your husband thinks it is a 'pocket money' concept.

How long does it take to create one nappy cake? Would you be able to supply high number in a short time? What's your profit margin?

I think it would be best to get some answers first. A small (or big) market research into this concept can help you a lot. I won't doubt there are plenty of newborns each year. Contact the people who are most likely to buy your product for a short survey in what they really think of the nappy cake and how likely it is for them to buy it when someone they know is pregnant. Contact websites/companies that target pregnant women to explore the possibilities to work together with you. Or get feedback from them to see why they would or wouldn't.

 

[deniser]

The problem is that there are already a lot of baby gift baskets and nappy cake businesses out there and the concept is no longer new.

Many of these operate online. I guess there is money to be made if you operate online with a really good website but you do have a lot of competition:

http://www.nappycakeshop.co.uk/

http://www.purenappycakes.com/

http://www.sweetbabycakes.co.uk/

http://www.jellybabynappycakes.com/

http://www.newbabygiftboxes.co.uk/

http://www.babyjoygifts.co.uk/

http://babygifts.basketsgalore.co.uk/

The list is endless.

If you are not operating online in an already saturated market then I think your husband is right and operating locally will not lead to huge amounts of sales. It depends whereabouts your are situated though as it does make a good corporate gift for a staff member but you have to have lots of offices and businesses around you and then make sure you are their first point of call when a baby is due.

Also, to get good margins on the contents of your baskets/cakes, you will have to buy in bulk wholesale which means quite a big investment to get going. How do you source the contents of your baskets now? Do you buy at retail prices?

I think it will be tough and I do think it is probably more of a hobby if you do not operate online.

Good luck to you though, I think it would be fun to do in any case.

 

[chiggs]

Coincidently, I've just been speaking to a lady this morning who is planning to set up a nappy cake business- deniser is right, it's very popular business at the moment!

My business is also in the nursery industry, and I've seen a fair few nappy cake and gift hamper businesses start up- some have remained in the 'making pocket money' bracket, but others have expanded, so the potential is there.

Nappy cakes are a really good gift for someone leaving on maternity leave, ie eveyone in the office chips in to buy a present so targeting local businesses and offices is a good idea. A lady I supply has a display of nappy cakes in a local independent baby/nursery shop, they take orders for her in return for a commission.

 

[Garage Runners]

Hi, where are you based?
I know of a lady that does that in New Milton.
Maybe worth trying the independant baby shops or advertising in a local place young mothers go?
I get good feedback from Facebook and forums related to the intended recipients.

Dave

Sent from my GT-N7100 using UK Business Forums

 

[nathan2013]

It's cool for you to have gift basket service! I think it is a good idea as new gifts for newborns. Gift baskets like diapers and feeding bottles will be very presentable.

 

[Pink Broccoli]

Hi teady79, for goodness sake don't listen to your husband! mine has said that to me for the past 18 years and I've never listened to him. My advice if you don't try, how will you ever know? I've seen this product a lot in Europe it's quite big over there and I've also seen it in the UK too but it can be quite expensive. Stick to your guns and believe in yourself. Start local!!! and build from there. Get your self a company Facebook page and Twitter account and begin building awareness, share it with me @WilbournKaren and I'll spread the news. We're all here to help each other! Good Luck and give it a go, we all have competition, so just try and make it better!