The Sweet Shop thread!

[warnie]

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

Right Dave i'm sorry, really I am but I want cutting in here.........

 

[warnie]

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.

In a lot of cases your right, although there are some exceptions and I'm not saying were one of them! (although I suppose we all have different ideas on what is a resonable wage). But bare in mind that a typical newsagent for example could sell 2 packs of ciggerettes, a loaf of bread, 2 litres of milk and a newspaper, and still not come away with £1 profit and thats on a circa £16 spend. With a sweet shop or and niche shop, yes the turnover is a hell of a lot less, but what is sold is normally sold at a much higher margin to partly compensate.

 

[Talay]

My local shop is today selling tubs of Celebrations and Quality Street and perhaps others for £5. I believe they were £4 in the supermarkets the other week.

 

[warnie]

We currently use a calor gas heater to heat the shop but the gas has gone up from £18 last year to £24 a bottle this year

Is this still a cheap way to heat the shop? or are there better way's? Our shop is around 1000sqft ish.

Oh and it's a moody monday hence me looking at cost saving measures:redface:

 

[TheCandyCabin]

We currently use a calor gas heater to heat the shop but the gas has gone up from £18 last year to £24 a bottle this year

Is this still a cheap way to heat the shop? or are there better way's? Our shop is around 1000sqft ish.

Oh and it's a moody monday hence me looking at cost saving measures:redface:

Hi Warnie,

Have you looked into wall-mounting a radiator? I have one under my shop window and it's great. The theromostat keeps it warm enough overnight to avoid wet windows in the morning.

Not sure if it would be big enough for your shop? My shop is small, 10ftx15ft! I bought it online and was easy enough to mount.

Does the gas heater smell? I remember my grandad's kerosene heater smelling but maybe that was because it was kerosene?

 

[ScottishInvestments]

It must be a nightmare to heat a sweetie shop for the risk of melting everything! I wouldn't want that responsibility

ScotInvest

 

[warnie]

It must be a nightmare to heat a sweetie shop for the risk of melting everything! I wouldn't want that responsibility

ScotInvest

When I say heat it, what I really mean is to make it slightly warmer than standing outside in a cold wind

We still have to wear jumpers etc:redface:

 

[sweet lady]

Morning Warnie

I would be very interested if you find a cheaper way to heat your shop. I am in the same predicament. Last year was expensive to heat the shop. (my first winter) and I was wearing three layers and still cold. Not looking forward to the temperature dropping any further than it has already!

 

[TheCandyCabin]

I have the opposite problem in the summer! I didn't have air conditioning and I lost some stock due to the warm days we did have. And I know it wasn't many! I'm going to have to get some a/c sorted for next year. I am south-facing which makes it warm anyway. Bonus in the Winter, hell in summer. Even on warmish days it can get really hot in here!

Should I have researched my south-facing position before renting, yes. Hind sight is 20/20 I don't want to move, I'm in a great location!!

 

[warnie]

Well thanks to the Candy Cabin, yesterday we recieved our 1st order from a new supplier recomended by her and it looks as though we'll be using them on a regular basis

Another example of how good UK Business Forums can be when we work together

 

[Tombo46]

on the subject of The Candy Cabin...I popped in yesterday and thanks to them, I now have no teeth left! Cracking little shop =]

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Well thanks to the Candy Cabin, yesterday we recieved our 1st order from a new supplier recomended by her and it looks as though we'll be using them on a regular basis

Another example of how good UK Business Forums can be when we work together

Thanks Warnie! Glad to hear it!

 

[TheCandyCabin]

on the subject of The Candy Cabin...I popped in yesterday and thanks to them, I now have no teeth left! Cracking little shop =]

I know a good dentist Tombo! Thanks for popping in, great having a chat!

 

[aaj4]

Hi guys opened my sweet shop on Friday (cardiff area) people are giving very positive feedback which is great!


My question is, how do you guys clean your scales after weighing sherbet or Bon bons etc, they leave a dusting, which is not the best if you then weigh out for example strong mints afterwards?

Also, do you weigh nut products in the same scales? Or do you have any measures in place for nut sweets?

Finally, your food management system? We're you provided with the paperwork to fill in or did you produce your own. My council have been hopeless, no help at all, I've made my own ? Whether its upto what is expected I have no idea :|

Thanks for any advice... Love this thread also

 

[kelvin1950]

Hi guys opened my sweet shop on Friday (cardiff area) people are giving very positive feedback which is great!


My question is, how do you guys clean your scales after weighing sherbet or Bon bons etc, they leave a dusting, which is not the best if you then weigh out for example strong mints afterwards?

Also, do you weigh nut products in the same scales? Or do you have any measures in place for nut sweets?

Finally, your food management system? We're you provided with the paperwork to fill in or did you produce your own. My council have been hopeless, no help at all, I've made my own ? Whether its upto what is expected I have no idea :|

Thanks for any advice... Love this thread also

We regularly clean our pans with dettol surface cleaner, especially after weighing anything nutty. If it's just a light dusting of sugar then a once over with a bit of kitchen roll.

 

[Bruvver]

My question is, how do you guys clean your scales after weighing sherbet or Bon bons etc, they leave a dusting, which is not the best if you then weigh out for example strong mints afterwards?

Don't own a sweet shop, but can I suggest something ?
Why not weigh "in the bag" ?

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Hi guys opened my sweet shop on Friday (cardiff area) people are giving very positive feedback which is great!


My question is, how do you guys clean your scales after weighing sherbet or Bon bons etc, they leave a dusting, which is not the best if you then weigh out for example strong mints afterwards?

Also, do you weigh nut products in the same scales? Or do you have any measures in place for nut sweets?

Finally, your food management system? We're you provided with the paperwork to fill in or did you produce your own. My council have been hopeless, no help at all, I've made my own ? Whether its upto what is expected I have no idea :|

Thanks for any advice... Love this thread also

Hi AAj!

-I clean the scale bowl with warm water and washing up liquid. Between uses (ie bon bond) I clean with a damp paper towel. No special cleaning with nuts as it's stainless steel so won't absorb nut crumbs. I do wash it after nuts as above with soap an water.

-re: food management (per my local council) I keep a list of all my suppliers. I have a book of stock and use by dates. I keep a record of pest control measures and I have a personal hygiene/dress code policy. I also have the health and safety poster and a first aid kit. I think that covers most things. I don't employ anyone so there may be more if you employ staff.

Best of luck, great you're having positive feedback as they'll be loyal to you!!

 

[kelvin1950]

Don't own a sweet shop, but can I suggest something ?
Why not weigh "in the bag" ?

Because people moan that they're not getting a full 100gm of sweets.

 

[sweet lady]

You need to zero the scales for the bag. I use Milton wipes to clean everything. A little pricey but peace of mind that its clean enough for a baby

 

[aaj4]

Thank you all for your replies...it's great to hear how other sweet shops manage... Thans again

 

[kelvin1950]

You need to zero the scales for the bag. I use Milton wipes to clean everything. A little pricey but peace of mind that its clean enough for a baby

You can, of course, do that. It's a fiddle though and a pain when trying to weigh something like peanut brittle!

 

[warnie]

Do any of you stock Cappuccino drops and Bounty Coconut ?? thinking off getting both in but would like to know if they sell well enough, as I hate sweets that stick around!

 

[herewegoagain.]

Do any of you stock Cappuccino drops and Bounty Coconut ?? thinking off getting both in but would like to know if they sell well enough, as I hate sweets that stick around!

I stock the dark choc bounty's they go well, surprisingly the milk choc one doesnt go well...

Not much margin on them though - last time I looked it was only about 10%

 

[warnie]

I stock the dark choc bounty's they go well, surprisingly the milk choc one doesnt go well...

Not much margin on them though - last time I looked it was only about 10%

10% good on you for stocking them that's a disgrace! I thought cadbury's were bad enough with there low 20's POR.

It was the bounty coconut boiled sweet I was enquiring about

Like a chocolate lime but with coconut flavour on the outside. As for bounty bars, they only enter my premises if they're at a discounted price:redface:

 

[sweet lady]

I sell the Cappuccino drops (boiled) and they don't sell well

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Hi Warnie!

I don't stock either so I'm not much help lol

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Just wondering.....Anyone stocking the new Cadbury Dairy Milk 'Oreo' bar? I'm undecided. It's rrp is £1.49, so a bit pricy when comparing it's the same size as the £1 bar's they do.

I don't sell Cadbury's anymore, it didn't sell. I have a few hanging around that I'm selling off, and once gone, they're gone. Funnily new releases do well. I'm going to try the crispello bar but sell above RRP which is 50p.

 

[warnie]

We don't stock a lot of chocolate, if fact all we do stock aprart from caramacs, fudges and curly wurly's, are the chocolate from that other section in Hancocks away from the main isles

Quiet here today, after the 1st hour 8-9 when we get all the school kids in, I think we've done more on taking deposits for christmas gifts. Just waiting until 3.15 for the kids to come out now!

 

[sweet lady]

Warnie
What chocolate in Hancocks are you talking about? I go to Watford Hancocks and there is no section out of the isles except drinks and crisps

 

[justdamo]

Warnie
What chocolate in Hancocks are you talking about? I go to Watford Hancocks and there is no section out of the isles except drinks and crisps

I think he means the "American" chocolate bars Hershey's, Reese's etc

 

[kelvin1950]

Do you guys use these people? Their range of Belgian chocolates are a huge seller for us. We also sell a lot of the Sebahat Turkish Delight that they do.

http://www.sarunds.co.uk

 

[warnie]

Warnie
What chocolate in Hancocks are you talking about? I go to Watford Hancocks and there is no section out of the isles except drinks and crisps

Hi sweet lady! at the birmingham hancock's there is a seperate section at the front by all the multipack chocolate's. There is usually 10-12 different varieties all with upto 50% off standard prices. Some are completely fine others may have 1-2 months date left and some are from europe. Either way the customer gets perfectly good chocolate at a discounted price whilst we make enough to make it worth while selling

As for selling cadbury's at 60-70p a bar for a 20-25% margin no thanks. I'd rather them spend that 70p on some jarred sweets!

 

[warnie]

Do you guys use these people? Their range of Belgian chocolates are a huge seller for us. We also sell a lot of the Sebahat Turkish Delight that they do.

http://www.sarunds.co.uk

Thanks Kelvin, what kind of margins do they work on? and is there a minimum order?

 

[sweet lady]

I use Sarunds. Not much profit margin. £150.00 minimum order. For christmas and easter they ask for a 50% deposit

 

[TheCandyCabin]

I don't use sarunds, only just heard of them. I use HF Chocolates and Creme D'Or for my Belgian chocolates. Mine sell well too They do look nice!

HF Chocolates min is £150 for free delivery, under that is £10. Creme D'Or is the same I believe!.

@SweetLady....do you use UK Sweets? Great selection, very similar to Hancocks for choice! And they are really good to work with

 

[TheCandyCabin]

Did anyone watch this program that was on last week? What did you think?

 

[aaj4]

Did anyone watch this program that was on last week? What did you think?

I watched it on catch up after a few of my customers mentioned it... I thought it was ok I suppose, but could have been better.. Still, I'm glad I watched it...

 

[warnie]

Just had another company/person offer me wonka bars, I'm pretty sure there all the same i.e supermarket chocolate re-wrapped. But if thats what customers want then who am I to argue

I would like to check price and supplier with another sweet shop on here by PM if poss??

Can anyone help?

 

[justdamo]

Just had another company/person offer me wonka bars, I'm pretty sure there all the same i.e supermarket chocolate re-wrapped. But if thats what customers want then who am I to argue

I would like to check price and supplier with another sweet shop on here by PM if poss??

Can anyone help?

I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole as trading standards will confiscate them if you're caught as they're in breach of label laws and copyright law as well.

 

[warnie]

I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole as trading standards will confiscate them if you're caught as they're in breach of label laws and copyright law as well.

That's the reason I haven't stocked them in the past, but all our competitors are stocking them, so as you can imagine were constantly being asked for them. That and with christmas coming up, it maybe time to just stock them and cash in.