The Sweet Shop thread!

[warnie]

Right, there seems to be quite a few Sweet Shop owners including myself in the retail section. So as times are hard, I think it's time we had our own thread where we can swap ideas about what works or what doesn't, or perhaps any new products you have come accross which are 'flying out' !.

We can also have a good moan, because after all we all love to moan don't we:redface:

Also -

What are your best selling products? this is so if other shop owners are not stocking them they can start now!

Or any products you stock where the margin is extra special?

Or products that people come directly to you for for miles out.

This can be of benefit to other small shop owners as well, as many ideas transfer over. For example we maybe trying to impliment one of the many fantastic parts of the Doodles of Tadley shop on here!.

As long as were not too close to each other it shouldn't be a problem to help each other out

I'll start off by telling you our best selling product by a fair distance is Blue Raspberry Bon Bons, and a little gem you all might want to try are Costco's Red Vines, which when sold at 15p each they become our most profitable product, and being american no one else around here stocks them

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Hi Warnie!

Great idea! I've only been running since March so my ears are always open to advice from other shop owners! I'm in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

My best selling sweets are my American selection by far. The margins are usually 50-90%! I sell something American everyday. I'm also American (hubby is British) so I have quite a range. I also have 122 jars of British sweets of all sorts. My best selling British would also be Bon Bons. Either Blue Raspberry or Toffee. Next comes pic-n-mix and coconut mushrooms.

I have Halloween sweets in at the moment and they're doing well. I make bags up with Halloween prints and put a mix in them. They sell well and good margins.

I'm itching to get Christmas stuff going though!! Halloween is the 31st. Nov 1st it comes down and Xmas going up! lol I have a lot of Lindt stock I need to shift so I need to get it going. I guess I could get some out but my shop is fairly small so it;s best just to do the whole lot at once cause I'll need to move things around!!

Thanks for the post! Looking forward to reading!

 

[herewegoagain.]

Hello Warnie, Hello Candy Cabin !!

What a great idea - !! have to agree with the blue bons - in fact anything blue seems to sell well !!

Its great to have a thread where we can have a good whinge also ! LOL

 

[herewegoagain.]

Just a thought Warnie - you think your shop is small.... Mine in Derby is only 7ft x 10ft !!!! LOL

 

[WrightPsychology]

While I don't own a sweet shop, I have created a few 'pop up' shops where I've sold sweets.

Often I'm selling to school/college kids, and 20p sweets sell like a dream! I'm sure you know this.

I've also had fun selling brain lickers.

 

[deniser]

Good idea to share but don't you think you should be having this conversation privately? It will come up whenever anyone thinking of setting up, possibly in competition to you, is researching.

 

[TheCandyCabin]

and a little gem you all might want to try are Costco's Red Vines, which when sold at 15p each they become our most profitable product, and being american no one else around here stocks them

I sell Redvines in a tray packet. Not sure how many are in there. Do you have them in a tub and sell them individually? I have Twizzlers like that

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Good idea to share but don't you think you should be having this conversation privately? It will come up whenever anyone thinking of setting up, possibly in competition to you, is researching.

Having thought about it, you're right. We don't want to give our info out to just anyone. We can leave it to a sweet shop 'moaning thread' instead. Hopefully our competition will be put off

 

[Talay]

Good idea to share but don't you think you should be having this conversation privately? It will come up whenever anyone thinking of setting up, possibly in competition to you, is researching.

You don't honestly think there are sweet shop entrepreneurs out there, hovering over this very thread, waiting for some gem of a retail idea or product range suggestion, before hitting the estate agents and buying up the building next to yours with the sole intention of opening a sweet shop in direct competition do you ?

If you do, you've been on the sugar too much

 

[Tombo46]

Oooooh I have a question!! *puts hand up*

What's up with all the none artificial colours and flavours in sweets nowadays!? I used to love sweets, especially at the cinema but now everything's gone all tame. What's the point in having a "treat" when they just want to make if healthier (or less bad for you I suppose haha).

Loads of sweets I've seen and got giddy about only to end up binning them out of disgust that they have changed! Most notably recently were "Tooty Fruity's"

If I went to a "proper" sweet shop, can I get sweets that are full of artificial nasties? That leads me to my next question....

TheCandyCabin, where abouts in Chesterfield are you? I genuinely got excited when I saw you weren't too far away haha. I own a Greengrocers in Bradway, Sheffield so I'm only at the other end of Dronfield bypass

 

[Tombo46]

Actually come to think about it I'm pretty sure I may have already shopped with you....are you near Argos in town?

 

[deniser]

You don't honestly think there are sweet shop entrepreneurs out there, hovering over this very thread, waiting for some gem of a retail idea or product range suggestion, before hitting the estate agents and buying up the building next to yours with the sole intention of opening a sweet shop in direct competition do you ?

If you do, you've been on the sugar too much

LOL but there are an awful lot of "I'm thinking of opening a sweetshop" threads on here. I can list several areas where there are two sweetshops within a few feet of each other. I can also think of a few sweetshop chains.

 

[PDRD]

Sorry to ambush the thread but do any of you do an online shop/delivery service? I fancy some obscure and random sweets

 

[Talay]

Sorry to ambush the thread but do any of you do an online shop/delivery service? I fancy some obscure and random sweets

Very good point. I'd order some.

 

[Talay]

LOL but there are an awful lot of "I'm thinking of opening a sweetshop" threads on here. I can list several areas where there are two sweetshops within a few feet of each other. I can also think of a few sweetshop chains.

If you read between the lines of some sweet shop proprietors comments, you would run a mile from a business which offered to provide an income lower than the national minimum wage.

My interpretation is that some do it as a hobby business, they having provided for their family and retirement previously in some other prior career and can now enjoy their life, though not expecting to earn huge amounts from their sweet shop.

 

[deniser]

Very good point. I'd order some.

I've actually ordered some from Warnie before!

 

[deniser]

If you read between the lines of some sweet shop proprietors comments, you would run a mile from a business which offered to provide an income lower than the national minimum wage.

My interpretation is that some do it as a hobby business, they having provided for their family and retirement previously in some other prior career and can now enjoy their life, though not expecting to earn huge amounts from their sweet shop.

That's true; it applies to quite a lot of the independent retail sector.

 

[herewegoagain.]

Sorry to ambush the thread but do any of you do an online shop/delivery service? I fancy some obscure and random sweets

Hello, send me a PM with what you are looking for and I will quote you ! regards Dave

 

[herewegoagain.]

Very good point. I'd order some.

Hello, send me a PM with what you are looking for and I will quote you ! regards Dave

 

[herewegoagain.]

If you read between the lines of some sweet shop proprietors comments, you would run a mile from a business which offered to provide an income lower than the national minimum wage.

My interpretation is that some do it as a hobby business, they having provided for their family and retirement previously in some other prior career and can now enjoy their life, though not expecting to earn huge amounts from their sweet shop.

Interesting point Talay, while no business in my opinion should be run as a hobby - due to the nature of the type of products sweet shops sell, you have to shift tons of it - to make a living, the big one for me is finding the balance of the right shop at an affordable rent without flogging yourself to death to pay for the rent !

Indeed in my case, I had to finish my career due to health problems, but although financially I am earning no where near what I was there are perks, (as we all know) the business pays for the running of my vehicle, the upkeep, and a lot of other things are very tax efficient and it pays me a small wage - I also get a lot of personal satisfaction from it - its not all about money..... - if it was I wouldnt do it !!

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Actually come to think about it I'm pretty sure I may have already shopped with you....are you near Argos in town?

Hi Tombo!

I'm up Chatsworth Road (map on our website), not in town, that was a chain shop that only stayed for a year We also have free street parking lol.

Re: your questions about colourings. I'm not an expert but the E'numbers have been linked in studies to 'hyperactivity' in children so the EU decided to ban some of them. Some sweets still have E's in them though.

American sweets don't have the same restrictions, which is why it taste's a lot sweeter and more brightly coloured too.

 

[Tombo46]

Hi Tombo!

I'm up Chatsworth Road (map on our website), not in town, that was a chain shop that only stayed for a year We also have free street parking lol.

Re: your questions about colourings. I'm not an expert but the E'numbers have been linked in studies to 'hyperactivity' in children so the EU decided to ban some of them. Some sweets still have E's in them though.

American sweets don't have the same restrictions, which is why it taste's a lot sweeter and more brightly coloured too.

Ooooooh sounds promising! I think I'll make a bit of time next week to pop down and see your place. I travel to chatsworth road once a week for a curry anyway (new eastern tandoori) so may as well do it for some sweets too! I actually manage to get a bit of time off this time of year. Until Christmas tree's start that is...

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Indeed in my case, I had to finish my career due to health problems, but although financially I am earning no where near what I was there are perks, (as we all know) the business pays for the running of my vehicle, the upkeep, and a lot of other things are very tax efficient and it pays me a small wage - I also get a lot of personal satisfaction from it - its not all about money..... - if it was I wouldnt do it !!

I'm in the same boat, retired from ill-health. I can run a small shop. I don't employ anyone though except my daughter on Saturdays. I'm not making much but as you say, it pays for some things, and for me, it's better than 'sitting at home'.

 

[herewegoagain.]

I'm in the same boat, retired from ill-health. I can run a small shop. I don't employ anyone though except my daughter on Saturdays. I'm not making much but as you say, it pays for some things, and for me, it's better than 'sitting at home'.

Glad its not just me then ! LOL I love doing what I do, I am sure you do too, its never going to be Alan Sugar but then again, you dont get that sort of hassle on this scale...

I did start a small chain of shops back in 2009 but found it exhausting, and not worth the returns versus the hassle, so I sold two off and closed one down and now I am just down to two shops now and that does me !!!

I must admit I find it slightly offensive when people say 'hobby business' - but let em think what they want - I know there are not many businesses out there (unlike mine) with no debt, debtors and creditors ! LOL

 

[kelvin1950]

I'm in the same boat, retired from ill-health. I can run a small shop. I don't employ anyone though except my daughter on Saturdays. I'm not making much but as you say, it pays for some things, and for me, it's better than 'sitting at home'.

Hah! I thought that I'd retired 5 years ago. Apparently not!!!

We started ours when Sue got made redundant and couldn't find another job (she's knocking on a bit). Put her redundancy and some savings into it and the rest is history.

 

[sweet lady]

Hi Everyone

I have a sweet shop in Bletchley, Milton Keynes. Been open eighteen months. Not setting the world on fire but never been happier. I just expanded my american range and they are flying off the shelf. Like candy cabin will be putting christmas out on the first.

I am also hoping to get hints and tips and think it's great to have our own thread

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Hah! I thought that I'd retired 5 years ago. Apparently not!!!

We started ours when Sue got made redundant and couldn't find another job (she's knocking on a bit). Put her redundancy and some savings into it and the rest is history.

Only thing is, I'm far from retirement age....I turn 40 in December! But I've not been happier. I love working for myself! I was a trained staff nurse for 17 years and with my condition it just wasn't possible to carry on any longer. However, should any unfortunates occur in the shop ie heart attack etc, then I'm well placed!

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Hi @Sweet Lady:

Try to get some American Xmas stuff too! It's such a novelty that people should buy it. I'm going to make some gift baskets up with just American Xmas stuff for gifts at the ready

 

[deniser]

Is trick or treating big business for you sweetshop owners?

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Is trick or treating big business for you sweetshop owners?

Hi Denise!

This is my 1st Halloween so I'm not sure what to expect. I've been selling Halloween sweets for about 2 weeks now, it's gone down well so far Some things have sold out. Hopefully it will all go before Wednesday! lol

 

[ScottishInvestments]

Ohhhh I hate you Sweetie shop owners!!

I could spend my entire wage in a sweetie shop. As those around me will say, I'm a big kid in a sweetie shop! I bought one of those 1KG Cadbury's bars the other day, I'm half way through it! Awful stuff

ScotInvest

 

[Talay]

Is trick or treating big business for you sweetshop owners?

I'd have flyer'd a couple of thousand houses near me if I was putting on a special over Halloween, Guy Fawkes, etc. Then follow it up a few weeks later with Xmas offerings.

Went online to Ocado today and some lines were sold out. I need a few candies for the kids who come knocking.

 

[patientlady]

Cocoa dusted almonds yum yum. We can only find them at Xmas and have to hunt them down.
But maybe thats why they are such a treat!

 

[herewegoagain.]

Is trick or treating big business for you sweetshop owners?

It is bigger than it used to be... supermarkets are a big problem though, often they are selling cheaper than you can buy at the wholesalers - so some lines are not worth stocking unfortunately...

Can anyone back me up on this one?

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

It is bigger than it used to be... supermarkets are a big problem though, often they are selling cheaper than you can buy at the wholesalers - so some lines are not worth stocking unfortunately...

Can anyone back me up on this one?

Trick or Treat is a pain in the neck for most people unless they have young kids of their own - I buy as cheap a selection as I can I'm afraid. They're not my kids, I don't know most of them, so have no incentive to give them anything at all, certainly not anything worth having I'm afraid!
I bought a really cheap bucket of Haribo things in small packets - that's what they'll get from me and I think that's quite enough to prevent them chucking eggs at my windows!

 

[TheCandyCabin]

It is bigger than it used to be... supermarkets are a big problem though, often they are selling cheaper than you can buy at the wholesalers - so some lines are not worth stocking unfortunately...

Can anyone back me up on this one?

Yup you're right herewegoagain! I got a few bits from the wholesalers, nothing bagged up, just some pumpkin lollies and popping candy lollies. I did get somethings from a supplier and made my own 'scary mix' bags and they've done well. Supermarkets so sell things cheaper and the margins on Cadburys aren't great, I'm more expensive but I reckon people expect you to be and most are ok with it.

I do think there is a growing trend that people are realising they have to support smaller shops to avoid the towns looking bare. I may be wrong but from conversations I've had with some customers, some are so 'anti-supermarket' it's surprising! lol We need more of these!

 

[deniser]

I may be wrong but from conversations I've had with some customers, some are so 'anti-supermarket' it's surprising! lol We need more of these!

That's me. I like going from shop to shop to do my shopping. I always seek out the indies wherever possible.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

That's me. I like going from shop to shop to do my shopping. I always seek out the indies wherever possible.

Please move to Tadley then Deniser!!!

 

[warnie]

Hi Warnie!

Great idea! I've only been running since March so my ears are always open to advice from other shop owners! I'm in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

My best selling sweets are my American selection by far. The margins are usually 50-90%! I sell something American everyday. I'm also American (hubby is British) so I have quite a range. I also have 122 jars of British sweets of all sorts. My best selling British would also be Bon Bons. Either Blue Raspberry or Toffee. Next comes pic-n-mix and coconut mushrooms.

I have Halloween sweets in at the moment and they're doing well. I make bags up with Halloween prints and put a mix in them. They sell well and good margins.

I'm itching to get Christmas stuff going though!! Halloween is the 31st. Nov 1st it comes down and Xmas going up! lol I have a lot of Lindt stock I need to shift so I need to get it going. I guess I could get some out but my shop is fairly small so it;s best just to do the whole lot at once cause I'll need to move things around!!

Thanks for the post! Looking forward to reading!

Hi Mrs Cabin!

Haloween's good but it's nice to get it out the way to concentrate on getting those christmas gifts sold!

Mrs cabin can you put me onto a decent supplier for american sweets? either on here or by PM It sounds like were missing out !!

 

[warnie]

Just a thought Warnie - you think your shop is small.... Mine in Derby is only 7ft x 10ft !!!! LOL

OMG that is small!!

We have an Icecream parlour in the corner at the back of our shop which is only slightly smaller than your entire Derby shop

I've allways fancied having another shop like that, ideally outside a train or bus station with plenty of passing trade.