I wanted to take a few moments to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our friends who shop at Sweet Tooth. It is always an uplifting experience to see some of our customers become "regulars".
This past season, we had quite a few people voluntarily say that they love to shop at Sweet Tooth and they appreciate our effort to keep them posted on what is new and what is on sale, etc. etc.
Those words of praise are never said too often and we are grateful to hear them.
Welcome aboard to the Dundee Darby family....Jelly Bean or Smee as I like to call her...Sabrina's new rescued cat. Smee will add a lot of energy and bunches of fun stories to our lives.
New cat, new year. What more can we ask for? So, see you around the corner in 2016. Let us know what we can do for
you and we will do our very best to make things happen at Sweet Tooth.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
Some Observations About The Holiday Season
Here are some observations about the month of December and holiday shopping.
First, we need to give a salute to our staff who throughout the month were in good spirits, were exceedingly helpful to our customers, who worked as a team and provided just the right enthusiasm and spirit to our store.
We are grateful for our 2 temporary staff, Matt and Olivia who jumped right in and "got 'er done".
Second, I have got to emphasize how much we enjoy our customers. Many were complimentary to the store and to the people who work there. Our customers really do make Sweet Tooth "Our Happy Place".
One observation is the number of new customers who come to Sweet Tooth at this time of the year. Some are reommended by friends, some tell us that they have driven past our store for years and finally decided to stop in.
Some let us know that they only shop at Sweet Tooth once a year. :( That observation is one we would like to change and believe me, it occasionally slips out of my mouth, as I put my hand to my heart, when I have to reply: "Don't tell me that! Let's try for more than once a year."
Every year for the past 23 years we have worked steadily to let our customers know that seasonal candy is ordered at least 6 months ahead of the season and there are no opportunities for re-orders. What we receive at the beginning of the season is all that we will have.
Why is that? Manufacturers of candy and gift items have to begin early to produce their items so that retailers will have them on time.
And let's face it....no one wants to over-produce and have tons of seasonal candy or gifts left after the holiday.
So those folks who think that waiting until a few days before the holiday will guarantee them "freshness" and an abundance of holiday candy and gifts are just not "with it". Buying early is the only way to assure that what customers want for the holiday, they will have.
And let's not tell us folks at Sweet Tooth that after shopping Target and Walmart, some decided to check and see if Sweet Tooth has the candy they are seeking. Sweet Tooth keeps the store year around at 70 degrees to insure freshness and longevity of the candy. Please ask Target and Walmart whether their stores are kept at a temperature to insure freshness and whether their staff knows a thing or two about what is in the candy or where the German chocolates are.
As for special orders ...don't even count on the big box stores for that.
Sweet Tooth owes it reputation to our staff over the years and our ability to respond to customers. And we owe our success to all those loyal customers and friends we have met along the way. Many thanks to each of you and a healthy, happy, and successful New Year.
First, we need to give a salute to our staff who throughout the month were in good spirits, were exceedingly helpful to our customers, who worked as a team and provided just the right enthusiasm and spirit to our store.
We are grateful for our 2 temporary staff, Matt and Olivia who jumped right in and "got 'er done".
Second, I have got to emphasize how much we enjoy our customers. Many were complimentary to the store and to the people who work there. Our customers really do make Sweet Tooth "Our Happy Place".
One observation is the number of new customers who come to Sweet Tooth at this time of the year. Some are reommended by friends, some tell us that they have driven past our store for years and finally decided to stop in.
Some let us know that they only shop at Sweet Tooth once a year. :( That observation is one we would like to change and believe me, it occasionally slips out of my mouth, as I put my hand to my heart, when I have to reply: "Don't tell me that! Let's try for more than once a year."
Every year for the past 23 years we have worked steadily to let our customers know that seasonal candy is ordered at least 6 months ahead of the season and there are no opportunities for re-orders. What we receive at the beginning of the season is all that we will have.
Why is that? Manufacturers of candy and gift items have to begin early to produce their items so that retailers will have them on time.
And let's face it....no one wants to over-produce and have tons of seasonal candy or gifts left after the holiday.
So those folks who think that waiting until a few days before the holiday will guarantee them "freshness" and an abundance of holiday candy and gifts are just not "with it". Buying early is the only way to assure that what customers want for the holiday, they will have.
And let's not tell us folks at Sweet Tooth that after shopping Target and Walmart, some decided to check and see if Sweet Tooth has the candy they are seeking. Sweet Tooth keeps the store year around at 70 degrees to insure freshness and longevity of the candy. Please ask Target and Walmart whether their stores are kept at a temperature to insure freshness and whether their staff knows a thing or two about what is in the candy or where the German chocolates are.
As for special orders ...don't even count on the big box stores for that.
Sweet Tooth owes it reputation to our staff over the years and our ability to respond to customers. And we owe our success to all those loyal customers and friends we have met along the way. Many thanks to each of you and a healthy, happy, and successful New Year.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Did You Shop Local Today?
It is almost the end of the Shop Local Day, Saturday November 28.
A number of customers who came into the store today did mention that they knew it was Shop Local day. That is heart-warming for little shop owners like us.
I want to note that the Tulsa World had an editorial today about Shopping Local. I was pleased to see that the editorial pointed out that it is the local shop owner who donates gift certificates and items to local groups for fundraising events. It is the local shop owner who flips the pancakes next to you at the church breakfast. It is the local shop owner who can talk to you about what you are thinking of buying, who can gather information on what they are selling, who knows your name when you walk in the door.
It is also the local shop owner who collects tax money which is used locally for police, fire, infrastructure, public schools, etc. etc.
Although most everyone goes on line for purchases, hopefully we all remember that online purchases do not contribute to those school fundraisers, those local silent auctions, the infrastructure of cities, etc.
So pat yourself on the back if you shopped locally today. You have really made a difference in the lives of all citizens in this area of Tulsa!!
And local merchants really really thank you for keeping our doors open.
A number of customers who came into the store today did mention that they knew it was Shop Local day. That is heart-warming for little shop owners like us.
I want to note that the Tulsa World had an editorial today about Shopping Local. I was pleased to see that the editorial pointed out that it is the local shop owner who donates gift certificates and items to local groups for fundraising events. It is the local shop owner who flips the pancakes next to you at the church breakfast. It is the local shop owner who can talk to you about what you are thinking of buying, who can gather information on what they are selling, who knows your name when you walk in the door.
It is also the local shop owner who collects tax money which is used locally for police, fire, infrastructure, public schools, etc. etc.
Although most everyone goes on line for purchases, hopefully we all remember that online purchases do not contribute to those school fundraisers, those local silent auctions, the infrastructure of cities, etc.
So pat yourself on the back if you shopped locally today. You have really made a difference in the lives of all citizens in this area of Tulsa!!
And local merchants really really thank you for keeping our doors open.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Do You Know The Old Lady on Brady??
There is a new book in town and you really need to get it!
The author of the book is Jamie M. Townsend and the beautiful book is Memoirs of the Old Lady: Tulsa's Historic Brady Theatre Tells Her Story.
Jamie is a 3rd generation native Tulsan, graduate of T.U and thoroughly devoted to the Brady Theatre. Her bio tells of the many coincidences between the Brady and her family.
The 100 year history of the Brady is a fascinating story. Jamie's book has the entire list of events which have taken place at the Brady since 1914.
The Brady has been know as Tulsa Convention Hall and Tulsa Municipal Theatre. It has been the performing space for so many different kinds of actors, singers, dancers and speakers. Truly, Tulsa is proud of the long, long history of this building and the fact that it is still alive.
Hats off to Peter Mayo for years ago buying the Old Lady and saving her from destruction.
Sweet Tooth is one of the stores in Tulsa at which you can purchase Jamie's book. Cost is $35.00 and with all the photos and information is well worth every penny.
A portion of the proceeds from the sales will benefit the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa.
We are proud to be working with Jamie on the sale of this book and we are looking forward to a special afternoon in December where we have several local artists and writers in our store to meet, greet and sign their works.
Stay tuned, folks. Let's support our local arts and our local stores.
The author of the book is Jamie M. Townsend and the beautiful book is Memoirs of the Old Lady: Tulsa's Historic Brady Theatre Tells Her Story.
Jamie is a 3rd generation native Tulsan, graduate of T.U and thoroughly devoted to the Brady Theatre. Her bio tells of the many coincidences between the Brady and her family.
The 100 year history of the Brady is a fascinating story. Jamie's book has the entire list of events which have taken place at the Brady since 1914.
The Brady has been know as Tulsa Convention Hall and Tulsa Municipal Theatre. It has been the performing space for so many different kinds of actors, singers, dancers and speakers. Truly, Tulsa is proud of the long, long history of this building and the fact that it is still alive.
Hats off to Peter Mayo for years ago buying the Old Lady and saving her from destruction.
Sweet Tooth is one of the stores in Tulsa at which you can purchase Jamie's book. Cost is $35.00 and with all the photos and information is well worth every penny.
A portion of the proceeds from the sales will benefit the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa.
We are proud to be working with Jamie on the sale of this book and we are looking forward to a special afternoon in December where we have several local artists and writers in our store to meet, greet and sign their works.
Stay tuned, folks. Let's support our local arts and our local stores.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Holly Jolly Christmas Time
What is involved in turning over our store from Fall/Halloween to Christmas Holiday gifts and candy? It would be so helpful if there were Elves who came at nighttime and with a dash of magic dust and a little scurrying around, we would find the store completely set up when we opened the doors the next day.
However, WE are the Elves and it takes a whole lot more than magic dust to get that work done.
Every year we shake our heads and wonder how everything is going to fit in the space we have. We put things up, then we move them around several times, we dust and clean, we use every little tiny bit of space available and then sometime in December we find a candy or gift item on a shelf that we have completely forgotten to put out for sale!!
It ain't easy being US and yet it is so much fun to see how beautiful or how humorous or how exciting our gift and candy items are at this time of the year.
Remember, Duck In A Hat, which I wrote about at Easter....my favorite Easter item which we have had in our store for 23 Easters?
Well, my favorite Christmas Candy Item is relatively new, but fun, yummy and just perfect for the Christmas season. It is Hammond's Chocolate Filled Peppermint Candy Cane. We predict that this Hammond candy will not last until Christmas. Once our customers discover it, they can't get enough of that wonderful treat.
Second to the Candy Cane is anything which Sweet Shop puts out for Christmas. This year Sweet Shop has been even more creative and I predict that our customers will be very excited about the decorated pretzels and the absolutely melt-in-your-mouth chocolate covered and decorated Oreos.
So here goes.
We have a number of events coming up in the store: Holiday Party, Trollbeads Party, Obsidian Jewelry Party and this year, for the first time, Santa Bob will visit our store on Sunday afternoon, November 22.
We would just be thrilled if you visited Sweet Tooth over and over during this season. Call us for times and dates.
However, WE are the Elves and it takes a whole lot more than magic dust to get that work done.
Every year we shake our heads and wonder how everything is going to fit in the space we have. We put things up, then we move them around several times, we dust and clean, we use every little tiny bit of space available and then sometime in December we find a candy or gift item on a shelf that we have completely forgotten to put out for sale!!
It ain't easy being US and yet it is so much fun to see how beautiful or how humorous or how exciting our gift and candy items are at this time of the year.
Remember, Duck In A Hat, which I wrote about at Easter....my favorite Easter item which we have had in our store for 23 Easters?
Well, my favorite Christmas Candy Item is relatively new, but fun, yummy and just perfect for the Christmas season. It is Hammond's Chocolate Filled Peppermint Candy Cane. We predict that this Hammond candy will not last until Christmas. Once our customers discover it, they can't get enough of that wonderful treat.
Second to the Candy Cane is anything which Sweet Shop puts out for Christmas. This year Sweet Shop has been even more creative and I predict that our customers will be very excited about the decorated pretzels and the absolutely melt-in-your-mouth chocolate covered and decorated Oreos.
So here goes.
We have a number of events coming up in the store: Holiday Party, Trollbeads Party, Obsidian Jewelry Party and this year, for the first time, Santa Bob will visit our store on Sunday afternoon, November 22.
We would just be thrilled if you visited Sweet Tooth over and over during this season. Call us for times and dates.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Sweet Tooth and The Pioneer Woman
Let me tell you the story of how we met Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.
The reason I bring this story up right now is that just a few minutes ago we received our 1st order of Ree Drummond's new cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime.
Our daughter Sabrina spends time online hunting down things of interest. Years ago when she worked at a Museum in Tulsa, she had discovered a blogger named Ree Drummond. At the time, Ree was not as well known as she is today.
Sabrina ordered The Pioneer Woman's calendar (no longer available) to give her co-workers for holiday gifts. Sabrina continued to follow Ree's blog.
At one point, Ree announced that she was going to have a cooking demonstration at her lodge and invited followers to put their name in a drawing to be invited to this demonstration. Sabrina put her name in and she was selected to go, along with a guest.
Her guest?? Jeff, her dad.
On the appointed day, Sabrina and Jeff drove up to the lodge and had a great time with several other guests participating in the cooking demonstration with Ree Drummond and her guest from New York. Among other things they learned to make pretzels. The highpoint of the afternoon, though, was the delicious lunch which Ree served to her guests.
That day sealed Sabrina's enthusiasm for The Pioneer Woman and started Sweet Tooth ordering all her cookbooks, her autobiography and some of the Charlie story books which Ree wrote.
In addition, Sabrina's enthisiasm for Ree caught on with me and Jeff. We have become devoted followers of her cooking show. We even place our commercials on her show.
Every Sunday afternoon we sit down to watch Ree's t.v. program which we have DVRed from its Saturday debut. Sometimes we even catch our ad on the show and that is a lot of fun too.
So, Pioneer Woman, we have adopted you completely. We know the feeling of the beginning of the empty nester stage of life as you sent your oldest daughter off to college. We have used your recipes for our meals and we truly enjoy the idea of a vegetarian, now devoted to eating beef!! We also enjoyed watching you create Falafel in Pita Bread this past week, a sandwich we truly love as well.
Oklahoma has many wonderful celebrities. Ree Drummond is certainly one of our favorites.
The reason I bring this story up right now is that just a few minutes ago we received our 1st order of Ree Drummond's new cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime.
Our daughter Sabrina spends time online hunting down things of interest. Years ago when she worked at a Museum in Tulsa, she had discovered a blogger named Ree Drummond. At the time, Ree was not as well known as she is today.
Sabrina ordered The Pioneer Woman's calendar (no longer available) to give her co-workers for holiday gifts. Sabrina continued to follow Ree's blog.
At one point, Ree announced that she was going to have a cooking demonstration at her lodge and invited followers to put their name in a drawing to be invited to this demonstration. Sabrina put her name in and she was selected to go, along with a guest.
Her guest?? Jeff, her dad.
On the appointed day, Sabrina and Jeff drove up to the lodge and had a great time with several other guests participating in the cooking demonstration with Ree Drummond and her guest from New York. Among other things they learned to make pretzels. The highpoint of the afternoon, though, was the delicious lunch which Ree served to her guests.
That day sealed Sabrina's enthusiasm for The Pioneer Woman and started Sweet Tooth ordering all her cookbooks, her autobiography and some of the Charlie story books which Ree wrote.
In addition, Sabrina's enthisiasm for Ree caught on with me and Jeff. We have become devoted followers of her cooking show. We even place our commercials on her show.
Every Sunday afternoon we sit down to watch Ree's t.v. program which we have DVRed from its Saturday debut. Sometimes we even catch our ad on the show and that is a lot of fun too.
So, Pioneer Woman, we have adopted you completely. We know the feeling of the beginning of the empty nester stage of life as you sent your oldest daughter off to college. We have used your recipes for our meals and we truly enjoy the idea of a vegetarian, now devoted to eating beef!! We also enjoyed watching you create Falafel in Pita Bread this past week, a sandwich we truly love as well.
Oklahoma has many wonderful celebrities. Ree Drummond is certainly one of our favorites.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
What You Should Know About Credit Card Chip Technology
October is a special month for credit card technology. Retailers are required to have new credit card processing machines in place which will accept the new chip technology, as well as the magnetic strip on your card. Gas stations have until 2017 to install that technology.
You will be relieved to know that Sweet Tooth has had its new credit card machines for about 2 weeks. Frankly, there is very little change on our side about how to use credit cards with the chip on them. Let me tell you a few things you need to know about this new technology.
A chip card is a debit or credit card with a built-in microchip which you can easily see on the front of your card. The chip provides greater security and convenience for you when you use your credit card. The microchip is encrypted and that makes it extremely difficult for someone to copy or counterfeit your credit card.
European countries and Canada have had this technology for a while. If you made a recent trip to one of those places you may have run into some difficulty if your credit card did not have the microchip. Even though chip cards may have a magnetic strip on the back, it is much better and more secure for you to use the chip.
Because we are a retailer, we do not require a PIN number to process purchases. However if you are attempting to withdraw money from an ATM you may find that you cannot do so without a PIN number.
Jeff is due a huge pat on the back for working early to make certain that Sweet Tooth had the correct technology for accepting chip credit cards. I think I need a pat on the back for remembering how to process that card. We have already had several customers make purchases with their new chip credit card. Those customers have the security of knowing that they will not be a victim of fraud as long as they use their "chip".
You will be relieved to know that Sweet Tooth has had its new credit card machines for about 2 weeks. Frankly, there is very little change on our side about how to use credit cards with the chip on them. Let me tell you a few things you need to know about this new technology.
A chip card is a debit or credit card with a built-in microchip which you can easily see on the front of your card. The chip provides greater security and convenience for you when you use your credit card. The microchip is encrypted and that makes it extremely difficult for someone to copy or counterfeit your credit card.
European countries and Canada have had this technology for a while. If you made a recent trip to one of those places you may have run into some difficulty if your credit card did not have the microchip. Even though chip cards may have a magnetic strip on the back, it is much better and more secure for you to use the chip.
Because we are a retailer, we do not require a PIN number to process purchases. However if you are attempting to withdraw money from an ATM you may find that you cannot do so without a PIN number.
Jeff is due a huge pat on the back for working early to make certain that Sweet Tooth had the correct technology for accepting chip credit cards. I think I need a pat on the back for remembering how to process that card. We have already had several customers make purchases with their new chip credit card. Those customers have the security of knowing that they will not be a victim of fraud as long as they use their "chip".
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Our 24th Halloween Season....Boo!
Thursday was a banner day. For the 24th time in the history of Sweet Tooth we received our Halloween candy from Redstone. We had just finished celebrating the end of our 23rd year in business and now we are officially into the Fall season just like we were 23 years ago in The Farm Shopping Center.
On Monday of next week we are sitting down to order our Valentine and Easter Candy. Since our Christmas candy has been ordered months ago, we are actually going to have 12 months of seasonal candy on order by Tuesday morning.
Does that seem strange to you? Many professions have to stay way ahead of their current season in order to be ready for our customers when the next important occasion arises.
So, what's special about Halloween? We (and you!) have gone through many changes with Halloween. Years ago, as a kid, we had no fear of experiencing the Trick or Treat night, running around our neighborhood, gathering up candy, caramel apples, popcorn balls, cookies....etc.....all these things our neighbors had prepared for us. We never felt in danger...in fact, we probably scared ourselves and our friends with the home made costumes we wore!
While in The Farm Shopping Center, we saw Halloween completely change. Afraid of kids getting glass in their candy, and other horrible things, Halloween became a really scary time for many people. Add to that the aversion to witch costumes and references to witches and vampires, people turned to having their own parties, or churches sponsoring a fun night for families. Trick or Treating became a thing of the past. The Farm sponsored a safe Trick or Treat night and we always participated.
What we have seen more recently is a come-back of celebrating Halloween. Does it have something to do with the success of Zombie t.v. programs, and other such "horror type" movies and t.v. programs? I think there is something to be said for that. Witches are more popular, perhaps because of the Harry Potter books and movies.
In any case, putting the fun back in Halloween is a good thing to see. I don't imagine that there will ever be the carefree manner in which, as a kid, I celebrated Halloween. Those Wowie Whistles that I longed for years ago (and wrote about) still have not returned. However, gourmet Halloween candy can definitely make up the difference.
Remember, seasonal gifts and candy.....cannot be re-ordered. Shop early and have fun!
On Monday of next week we are sitting down to order our Valentine and Easter Candy. Since our Christmas candy has been ordered months ago, we are actually going to have 12 months of seasonal candy on order by Tuesday morning.
Does that seem strange to you? Many professions have to stay way ahead of their current season in order to be ready for our customers when the next important occasion arises.
So, what's special about Halloween? We (and you!) have gone through many changes with Halloween. Years ago, as a kid, we had no fear of experiencing the Trick or Treat night, running around our neighborhood, gathering up candy, caramel apples, popcorn balls, cookies....etc.....all these things our neighbors had prepared for us. We never felt in danger...in fact, we probably scared ourselves and our friends with the home made costumes we wore!
While in The Farm Shopping Center, we saw Halloween completely change. Afraid of kids getting glass in their candy, and other horrible things, Halloween became a really scary time for many people. Add to that the aversion to witch costumes and references to witches and vampires, people turned to having their own parties, or churches sponsoring a fun night for families. Trick or Treating became a thing of the past. The Farm sponsored a safe Trick or Treat night and we always participated.
What we have seen more recently is a come-back of celebrating Halloween. Does it have something to do with the success of Zombie t.v. programs, and other such "horror type" movies and t.v. programs? I think there is something to be said for that. Witches are more popular, perhaps because of the Harry Potter books and movies.
In any case, putting the fun back in Halloween is a good thing to see. I don't imagine that there will ever be the carefree manner in which, as a kid, I celebrated Halloween. Those Wowie Whistles that I longed for years ago (and wrote about) still have not returned. However, gourmet Halloween candy can definitely make up the difference.
Remember, seasonal gifts and candy.....cannot be re-ordered. Shop early and have fun!
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Cooler Weather & A New Cookbook From Ree Drummond
There is something about even slightly cooler weather which lifts the spirits of a retailer.
This summer not only has the weather been sort of unusual, the normal shopper has not been visiting local stores. One can never analyze this kind of situation and come up with a very specific and accurate answer to why this summer has been a slow shopping season.
Of course, we retailers speculate all the time about such things. What are we doing wrong? Where are all the normal shoppers? Is it the economy? Is it the severe drop in oil prices? Is it just too hot to get out? Are people tired of the rain?
You can see how such questions generate a panic and a continual commentary. When a sales rep visits, we give that person "the 3rd degree". What has he or she been seeing in other cities? Other states? What is the word on the street?
Of course, if retailers aren't ordering, then sales reps aren't getting their commissions. In many respects, everything is tied together and each element affects the others. Sometimes it feels like we are in a bumper car, crashing into others whom we can't even see until they are right there in front of us.
So, back to how weather affects the attitude of retailers.
Cooler weather means 4th Quarter and 4th Quarter means (1) more shoppers (2) lots of new and fresh merchandise (3) store promotions (4) holiday parties (5) gift baskets and candy buffets (6) frequent visits from favorite sales reps (7) gift with purchase promotions (8) new ribbon, new gift bags, new merchandising (9) more hours for staff members (10) lots of things to be grateful for!!
That's what I am thinking at the moment. And a new cookbook from Ree Drummond!!
This summer not only has the weather been sort of unusual, the normal shopper has not been visiting local stores. One can never analyze this kind of situation and come up with a very specific and accurate answer to why this summer has been a slow shopping season.
Of course, we retailers speculate all the time about such things. What are we doing wrong? Where are all the normal shoppers? Is it the economy? Is it the severe drop in oil prices? Is it just too hot to get out? Are people tired of the rain?
You can see how such questions generate a panic and a continual commentary. When a sales rep visits, we give that person "the 3rd degree". What has he or she been seeing in other cities? Other states? What is the word on the street?
Of course, if retailers aren't ordering, then sales reps aren't getting their commissions. In many respects, everything is tied together and each element affects the others. Sometimes it feels like we are in a bumper car, crashing into others whom we can't even see until they are right there in front of us.
So, back to how weather affects the attitude of retailers.
Cooler weather means 4th Quarter and 4th Quarter means (1) more shoppers (2) lots of new and fresh merchandise (3) store promotions (4) holiday parties (5) gift baskets and candy buffets (6) frequent visits from favorite sales reps (7) gift with purchase promotions (8) new ribbon, new gift bags, new merchandising (9) more hours for staff members (10) lots of things to be grateful for!!
That's what I am thinking at the moment. And a new cookbook from Ree Drummond!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Cecil and "Beanie" Baby: A Sleazy Story
Remember Beanie Babies? They are still around and so is Ty Warner, the founder of the Ty company who has recently been accused of hiding $96 million in a Swiss bank account to avoid paying taxes on all the money he earned from those little plush animals.
The Plea Agreement which the judge accepted in this case against Ty Warner was based on $5 million evasion, not on the $96 million Warner clearly stashed away to avoid paying taxes.
Normally someone accused of this sort of crime is given jail time of up to 4 years, 9 months.
Warner was given probation and community service.
Bernie Madoff was given 150 years in prison for a similiar crime.
Now Ty Warner has announced the creation of Cecil the Lion Beanie Baby in memory of the beloved 13-year-old lion killed on July 2, 2015 at the Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe.
What kind of sleazy business is this, that Warner is going to make a bunch of money off the tragic and illegal killing of this lion?
On the one hand, consumers' hearts will be touched by this little plush lion. On the other hand, consumers who purchase this plush animal will just be supporting Ty Warner and his unacceptable ability to make millions off the killing of that lion.
I guess you can tell that I am a bit incensed about this whole situation.
I clearly remember going to the Dallas Market several times where the Ty company had a large area in the Temporary Booths, roped off and secured by Security Guards. If you wanted in to check out the Ty plush, you had to wait until someone else left and you were watched carefully by the guards as if you were going to steal one of the samples.
What sort of comment is this on good faith between a manufacturer and his customers? Once again, a black eye on the face of the retail world.
The Plea Agreement which the judge accepted in this case against Ty Warner was based on $5 million evasion, not on the $96 million Warner clearly stashed away to avoid paying taxes.
Normally someone accused of this sort of crime is given jail time of up to 4 years, 9 months.
Warner was given probation and community service.
Bernie Madoff was given 150 years in prison for a similiar crime.
Now Ty Warner has announced the creation of Cecil the Lion Beanie Baby in memory of the beloved 13-year-old lion killed on July 2, 2015 at the Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe.
What kind of sleazy business is this, that Warner is going to make a bunch of money off the tragic and illegal killing of this lion?
On the one hand, consumers' hearts will be touched by this little plush lion. On the other hand, consumers who purchase this plush animal will just be supporting Ty Warner and his unacceptable ability to make millions off the killing of that lion.
I guess you can tell that I am a bit incensed about this whole situation.
I clearly remember going to the Dallas Market several times where the Ty company had a large area in the Temporary Booths, roped off and secured by Security Guards. If you wanted in to check out the Ty plush, you had to wait until someone else left and you were watched carefully by the guards as if you were going to steal one of the samples.
What sort of comment is this on good faith between a manufacturer and his customers? Once again, a black eye on the face of the retail world.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Sweet Tooth Production Company
I am on a survey list from a trade magazine called Gift Beat. Every month I receive a survey asking questions about trends, which products are selling best, if sales are up or down, etc. etc.
Sometimes I have been able to add a comment about something we are doing at Sweet Tooth which is different from what others might be doing, or from what we have been doing in the past.
Occasionally I have even been quoted in Gift Beat, but most of the time I am listed as "an Oklahoma retailer"!!!
Once the magazine did a feature story on our store. That was fun.
Recently, if you follow us on Facebook, Instagram or get our email newsletter you may have noticed that Jeff is totally into producing videos for these. And we are finding that the videos get more attention than any text we write.
That makes sense, doesn't it? Our world is full of movement, music, commercial messages, pop ups on the internet, and we are all becoming more attuned to videos than we are to words. The message of 1 or 2 minutes is what we are accustomed to seeing on television and now on our computers.
I know that some people spend lots of time watching Cat Videos, for example, instead of reading books about Cats. Not me, of course!!
The point is that our new approach to getting the word out is Jeff's little video productions.
Sometimes our staff has been cast in the videos. They have found that they can't really turn Jeff down and sometimes reluctantly agree to do the silly things he asks us to do. And sometimes we all have a blast with these videos....I am remembering the Dammit Doll videos which were so silly and so much fun.
Jeff sent a link to our videos to Gift Beat magazine. I'll let you know if the magazine is interested in our films.
Stay cool!!
Sometimes I have been able to add a comment about something we are doing at Sweet Tooth which is different from what others might be doing, or from what we have been doing in the past.
Occasionally I have even been quoted in Gift Beat, but most of the time I am listed as "an Oklahoma retailer"!!!
Once the magazine did a feature story on our store. That was fun.
Recently, if you follow us on Facebook, Instagram or get our email newsletter you may have noticed that Jeff is totally into producing videos for these. And we are finding that the videos get more attention than any text we write.
That makes sense, doesn't it? Our world is full of movement, music, commercial messages, pop ups on the internet, and we are all becoming more attuned to videos than we are to words. The message of 1 or 2 minutes is what we are accustomed to seeing on television and now on our computers.
I know that some people spend lots of time watching Cat Videos, for example, instead of reading books about Cats. Not me, of course!!
The point is that our new approach to getting the word out is Jeff's little video productions.
Sometimes our staff has been cast in the videos. They have found that they can't really turn Jeff down and sometimes reluctantly agree to do the silly things he asks us to do. And sometimes we all have a blast with these videos....I am remembering the Dammit Doll videos which were so silly and so much fun.
Jeff sent a link to our videos to Gift Beat magazine. I'll let you know if the magazine is interested in our films.
Stay cool!!
Saturday, July 25, 2015
My First Photo on My Blog
It seems that it is about time you were introduced to Jeff, co-owner, husband and father of Sabrina. Next time I mention him in my blog, use this photo as a reference.
Fun times!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Thanks for 23 Years of Sweet Tooth!!
Wow!! I have to say that this blog has now reached 10,125 page views! When Sabrina said to me, "Mom, you need to write a blog about the store, I thought what I hope everyone who writes a blog thinks: who will read my words?" I think I've had a few good comments and ideas and I really am thankful that people are reading what I have to say.
Now on to the coming Fall/Winter Preview.
Many of you will begin to notice that Halloween and Christmas displays will soon begin to appear in the stores. Afterall, school is back in session by mid-August. Therefore, retail has moved back the date when holiday items and displays become the next best thing to do. Afterall, a lot of this promotion is generated by shoppers looking for something new. It really is a two way street and not simply retailers reaching into people's pockets for their holiday funds.
September 1 will be the 23rd anniversary of our owning Sweet Tooth. I won't even try to describe all the changes which have taken place in those 23 years. However I can say that our first store, with its rustic, wooden look (painted hot pink by our friend Steve) and balloons hanging flat on the wall behind the candy cases is no longer what Sweet Tooth looks like, sells or values. We have evolved.
We will be one of those retailers who will have a little "Christmas in August" look. We've got some darling Santa's Reindeer figures coming to us at this very moment and frankly, we can't wait another 2 or 3 months to show them to our customers. Forgive us for tipping the scale a little early for Christmas.
Our popular display of Unemployed Philosophers will grow into a full floor tower in the fall, with all sorts of new items, including Marvel Heroes, Mr. Rogers, Planet Plates and more.
Both Kameleon and Trollbeads are releasing a great deal of promotions and new pieces beginning very soon. Even our Kameleon Holiday Trunk show will be held in October...why? because of the great Necklace and 2 new Jewelpops which will be coming out early for Christmas.
Right now we are looking into the new colors and styles of Scout tote bags which we think are the best totes on the market. I get compliments every time I take my Scout bag into a store to hold my purchases. Recently I saw 2 ladies looking at a much cheaper version of that sort of tote bag and really, I couldn't help saying to myself, "That flimsy bag will fall apart in a couple of months!" I say if you are going to spend some money, spend it on things that will last and always look good.
Ok. That's my spiel for the moment. And thanks for staying with me as I sit to write down a few thoughts.
Watch for our Peanuts Party in November...65 years of Charlie Brown.
Now on to the coming Fall/Winter Preview.
Many of you will begin to notice that Halloween and Christmas displays will soon begin to appear in the stores. Afterall, school is back in session by mid-August. Therefore, retail has moved back the date when holiday items and displays become the next best thing to do. Afterall, a lot of this promotion is generated by shoppers looking for something new. It really is a two way street and not simply retailers reaching into people's pockets for their holiday funds.
September 1 will be the 23rd anniversary of our owning Sweet Tooth. I won't even try to describe all the changes which have taken place in those 23 years. However I can say that our first store, with its rustic, wooden look (painted hot pink by our friend Steve) and balloons hanging flat on the wall behind the candy cases is no longer what Sweet Tooth looks like, sells or values. We have evolved.
We will be one of those retailers who will have a little "Christmas in August" look. We've got some darling Santa's Reindeer figures coming to us at this very moment and frankly, we can't wait another 2 or 3 months to show them to our customers. Forgive us for tipping the scale a little early for Christmas.
Our popular display of Unemployed Philosophers will grow into a full floor tower in the fall, with all sorts of new items, including Marvel Heroes, Mr. Rogers, Planet Plates and more.
Both Kameleon and Trollbeads are releasing a great deal of promotions and new pieces beginning very soon. Even our Kameleon Holiday Trunk show will be held in October...why? because of the great Necklace and 2 new Jewelpops which will be coming out early for Christmas.
Right now we are looking into the new colors and styles of Scout tote bags which we think are the best totes on the market. I get compliments every time I take my Scout bag into a store to hold my purchases. Recently I saw 2 ladies looking at a much cheaper version of that sort of tote bag and really, I couldn't help saying to myself, "That flimsy bag will fall apart in a couple of months!" I say if you are going to spend some money, spend it on things that will last and always look good.
Ok. That's my spiel for the moment. And thanks for staying with me as I sit to write down a few thoughts.
Watch for our Peanuts Party in November...65 years of Charlie Brown.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Spilling My Guts Over New Gifts & Candy
I promised a preview of some of the gift and candy items which we ordered at the Dallas Market.
First I have to say that a great majority of our sales this summer have been candy, chocolate and jewelry!! Reflecting back on Summer 2014, we had a fairly similiar track record.
And coming up to our Indoor Sidewalk Sale this Friday and Saturday (7/17 & 7/18), we anticipate that there will be customers who see lots of space in our store next week and ask,"Are you going out of business", to which we will reply, "No, just like every other retailer, we are making space for the new items coming in for the Fall and Winter."
Help us if you can, by explaining to friends and family that this is what all retailers do every summer!!
Now, as for our plans:
We have already ordered Halloween and a great deal of Christmas Candy. I am personally excited about new chocolate Santas, interesting "Coal" for those naughty ones which will turn their tongues blue and new Christmas gummis. Sabrina has already put together our picture books of Halloween and Christmas candy. You can ask to thumb through those books to see what yummies are on their way.
Gift wise: new Chala purses and totes...including a darling raccoon and a few other new animals and styles of purses and totes which are guaranteed to impress you.
How about new, cozy Snoozie houseshoes, some in bling and some in soft, soothing material which will be just the houseshoe to snuggle on your couch and watch the latest movie on Netflicks.
Of course, Candy Canes filled with chocolate are a sure-fire sell out. Don't hesitate to get yours.
OU and OSU fans will love the new jewelry, new scarves and other Booster gift items. Poor T.U....hardly anyone has a license from T.U to produce fun gift items. Talk to the Chancellor about that, you guys.
Art Scarves and Art Hearts....we just fell in love with these items from Demdaco, the manufacturer also of Embellish Your Story, Glass Fusion Plates, Screenings and Banners and a whole lot more.
Stay tuned. I'm not very good at keeping secrets so I am certain to spill my guts over what we are expecting.
First I have to say that a great majority of our sales this summer have been candy, chocolate and jewelry!! Reflecting back on Summer 2014, we had a fairly similiar track record.
And coming up to our Indoor Sidewalk Sale this Friday and Saturday (7/17 & 7/18), we anticipate that there will be customers who see lots of space in our store next week and ask,"Are you going out of business", to which we will reply, "No, just like every other retailer, we are making space for the new items coming in for the Fall and Winter."
Help us if you can, by explaining to friends and family that this is what all retailers do every summer!!
Now, as for our plans:
We have already ordered Halloween and a great deal of Christmas Candy. I am personally excited about new chocolate Santas, interesting "Coal" for those naughty ones which will turn their tongues blue and new Christmas gummis. Sabrina has already put together our picture books of Halloween and Christmas candy. You can ask to thumb through those books to see what yummies are on their way.
Gift wise: new Chala purses and totes...including a darling raccoon and a few other new animals and styles of purses and totes which are guaranteed to impress you.
How about new, cozy Snoozie houseshoes, some in bling and some in soft, soothing material which will be just the houseshoe to snuggle on your couch and watch the latest movie on Netflicks.
Of course, Candy Canes filled with chocolate are a sure-fire sell out. Don't hesitate to get yours.
OU and OSU fans will love the new jewelry, new scarves and other Booster gift items. Poor T.U....hardly anyone has a license from T.U to produce fun gift items. Talk to the Chancellor about that, you guys.
Art Scarves and Art Hearts....we just fell in love with these items from Demdaco, the manufacturer also of Embellish Your Story, Glass Fusion Plates, Screenings and Banners and a whole lot more.
Stay tuned. I'm not very good at keeping secrets so I am certain to spill my guts over what we are expecting.
Friday, July 3, 2015
What's It Like At the Dallas Gift Market?
Perhaps you'd like to know what it is like to attend one of the major Gift Markets. We just came back from the Dallas Market and June is one of two times of the year when the entire World Trade Center and the Trade Mart are open to retailers.
Let me tell you first that the Dallas World Trade Center has 14 floors and the Trade Mart has 4 floors. Not all of these floors are showrooms for gift stores. Some have showrooms for fine jewelry, for furniture, for garden and outdoor furniture and accessories. Some have showrooms for the toy and kid markets. The top 2 floors in the Trade Mart, which is the original building, are for huge lighting companies....a beautiful walk along the aisles and aisles of lights.
So when it comes to the Gift Market, there are probably about 7 floors of showrooms and 3 floors of temporary booths.
A day at the Gift Market is fun, grueling, physically exhausting, exciting, and puzzling. Of course we are looking for new merchandise which will fit in our store, we are searching for "trends"...whatever might be new and upcoming. We ask the vendors and showroom reps all sorts of questions: What are your top 5 best sellers? How soon will these items ship? Are there any specials like discounts or free freight? Can we get a bottle of water, a Coke, a snack...we are hungry, thirsty and tired. Where is the nearest bathroom? Where is a chair I can sit down for a few minutes? What is the best time to go to the cafeteria so that we can avoid the crowds and literally no table to sit down and eat?
Over the 22 years we have attended the Dallas Market, lots has changed. Frankly, there are less people attending. The web and loss of sales reps have definitely changed the process of ordering. We are still the folks who like to look, touch, see and even sometimes smell the merchandise, so attending the Market is an absolute necessity for us.
Today I am going through the orders we placed. Next time I'll give you a preview of what you might expect to see at Sweet Tooth through the end of 2015. In the meantime, there's lots of paperwork, adjusting orders and going through catalogues to be done.
Let me tell you first that the Dallas World Trade Center has 14 floors and the Trade Mart has 4 floors. Not all of these floors are showrooms for gift stores. Some have showrooms for fine jewelry, for furniture, for garden and outdoor furniture and accessories. Some have showrooms for the toy and kid markets. The top 2 floors in the Trade Mart, which is the original building, are for huge lighting companies....a beautiful walk along the aisles and aisles of lights.
So when it comes to the Gift Market, there are probably about 7 floors of showrooms and 3 floors of temporary booths.
A day at the Gift Market is fun, grueling, physically exhausting, exciting, and puzzling. Of course we are looking for new merchandise which will fit in our store, we are searching for "trends"...whatever might be new and upcoming. We ask the vendors and showroom reps all sorts of questions: What are your top 5 best sellers? How soon will these items ship? Are there any specials like discounts or free freight? Can we get a bottle of water, a Coke, a snack...we are hungry, thirsty and tired. Where is the nearest bathroom? Where is a chair I can sit down for a few minutes? What is the best time to go to the cafeteria so that we can avoid the crowds and literally no table to sit down and eat?
Over the 22 years we have attended the Dallas Market, lots has changed. Frankly, there are less people attending. The web and loss of sales reps have definitely changed the process of ordering. We are still the folks who like to look, touch, see and even sometimes smell the merchandise, so attending the Market is an absolute necessity for us.
Today I am going through the orders we placed. Next time I'll give you a preview of what you might expect to see at Sweet Tooth through the end of 2015. In the meantime, there's lots of paperwork, adjusting orders and going through catalogues to be done.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Put That Smile On Your Face
I was just thinking today how awesome all of us are when we share our ideas with each other, when we become the cheering squad for our friends and family, when we stop thinking of how we can beat the other guy and instead think about how we can lift him or her up.
What does this have to do with candy and gifts?
Over the years I have sometimes thought of myself as the iconic bartender, who listens to all her customers, their troubles, their triumphs, their questions about life. And all I had to do was listen...no solutions, just being there when someone wanted to talk.
Believe it....this does happen in a retail store. And it is not what some refer to as Retail Therapy...which is really just running away for the day and having a great time without a care in the world.
In our world, people are often just trying to find the right gift which will cheer up a friend in the hospital or help celebrate the birth of a child or the marriage of a friend. Those gifts represent the special feeling we have for each other and the time involved in picking out just the perfect gift to say "We care".
Retail is so much more than ringing up a customer at the register. You can get that any day anywhere. We just want our store to be the Happy Place for our customers, a place where people know that we care about them and want their day to be the best.
So, is this a little sappy? Yes, it is and yet why not rise above the everyday problems which life throws at us?
I always told my daughter....the little song....you have a smile in your pocket....put it on your face.
So I am smiling at all of you....
And now back to ordering Trollbeads and Minion tic tacs and paying the bills. Right?
What does this have to do with candy and gifts?
Over the years I have sometimes thought of myself as the iconic bartender, who listens to all her customers, their troubles, their triumphs, their questions about life. And all I had to do was listen...no solutions, just being there when someone wanted to talk.
Believe it....this does happen in a retail store. And it is not what some refer to as Retail Therapy...which is really just running away for the day and having a great time without a care in the world.
In our world, people are often just trying to find the right gift which will cheer up a friend in the hospital or help celebrate the birth of a child or the marriage of a friend. Those gifts represent the special feeling we have for each other and the time involved in picking out just the perfect gift to say "We care".
Retail is so much more than ringing up a customer at the register. You can get that any day anywhere. We just want our store to be the Happy Place for our customers, a place where people know that we care about them and want their day to be the best.
So, is this a little sappy? Yes, it is and yet why not rise above the everyday problems which life throws at us?
I always told my daughter....the little song....you have a smile in your pocket....put it on your face.
So I am smiling at all of you....
And now back to ordering Trollbeads and Minion tic tacs and paying the bills. Right?
Friday, June 5, 2015
Blooming Chocolate: What's That All About?
Today I want to talk to you about chocolate blooming. Because of the heat and humidity in the summer, this subject is more relevant now than at other times of the year. I am hoping that knowing what blooming in chocolate is will help you to decide what to buy and when to buy it.
First of all, that sort of grayish look you find occasionally on chocolate is NOT mold. What is happening is one of several possibilities.
Sugar Bloom is caused by surface moisture. Moisture causes the sugar to dissolve and when the moisture evaporates, what is left is sugar crystals. If this situation repeats, the chocolate can become sticky and look discolored.
Fat Bloom is similiar to sugar bloom, however in this instance it is the fat or the cocoa butter which separates from the chocolate and deposits itself on the outside of the candy....thus that grayish color.
Changes in temperature, as well as moisture, are both enemies of chocolate and other candy. At Sweet Tooth we attempt to keep both the temperature of our store (70 degrees year around on the candy side) and the moisture at as much of a minimum as possible. Quick changes in temperature, from cool to warm to cool can be a source of blooming in chocolate.
Chocolate also absorbs flavors from food or from other items like scented candles and perfumes which are stored nearby. This is the reason why Sweet Tooth does not sell scented candles or perfumes and why we do not make gift baskets which have other flavors or scents near the chocolate.
Bloomed chocolate can be eaten. The texture might be a bit grainy, however the chocolate should taste ok.
At our store we also encourage our customers, particularly in summer months, to store their candy in a cool, dark place in their home. If they buy chocolate while they are out shopping or traveling, it would be best to keep that chocolate in a cooler until arriving at home.
The chocolate we sell does not require refrigeration and should, under the correct conditions, last for a number of months. We carefully watch manufacturing dates of our chocolate and attempt to adhere to a fairly strict schedule of when the chocolate is manufactured.
Now you know why we say that chocolate can be a fragile and delicate food...one you want to handle and store with care.
First of all, that sort of grayish look you find occasionally on chocolate is NOT mold. What is happening is one of several possibilities.
Sugar Bloom is caused by surface moisture. Moisture causes the sugar to dissolve and when the moisture evaporates, what is left is sugar crystals. If this situation repeats, the chocolate can become sticky and look discolored.
Fat Bloom is similiar to sugar bloom, however in this instance it is the fat or the cocoa butter which separates from the chocolate and deposits itself on the outside of the candy....thus that grayish color.
Changes in temperature, as well as moisture, are both enemies of chocolate and other candy. At Sweet Tooth we attempt to keep both the temperature of our store (70 degrees year around on the candy side) and the moisture at as much of a minimum as possible. Quick changes in temperature, from cool to warm to cool can be a source of blooming in chocolate.
Chocolate also absorbs flavors from food or from other items like scented candles and perfumes which are stored nearby. This is the reason why Sweet Tooth does not sell scented candles or perfumes and why we do not make gift baskets which have other flavors or scents near the chocolate.
Bloomed chocolate can be eaten. The texture might be a bit grainy, however the chocolate should taste ok.
At our store we also encourage our customers, particularly in summer months, to store their candy in a cool, dark place in their home. If they buy chocolate while they are out shopping or traveling, it would be best to keep that chocolate in a cooler until arriving at home.
The chocolate we sell does not require refrigeration and should, under the correct conditions, last for a number of months. We carefully watch manufacturing dates of our chocolate and attempt to adhere to a fairly strict schedule of when the chocolate is manufactured.
Now you know why we say that chocolate can be a fragile and delicate food...one you want to handle and store with care.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Holiday Candy Ordering: It's a Marathon.
Here's what Jeff and I did last Friday. For the 23rd time we ordered Halloween and Christmas/Chanukah candy from the first sales rep we ever knew: Gary O.
The first time I met with Gary to order holiday candy it was in the back room of our first store....in The Farm Shopping Center. I knew absolutely nothing about candy, Of course I had eaten candy but never stopped to think about what candies were popular and what candies would do well for the various holidays in the fall. I liked Mars bars (frozen, of course) and Bit O Honey . A real gourmet, huh?
Gary was very patient...so patient that it took 8 hours for us to complete that order. At this point I don't even remember anything in particular about that day. I do remember that the back of my desk chair was always up against the bathroom door. And I learned that some people make pigs out of marzipan. So you can imagine how crowded Gary and I were when we were paging through his sales book.
This year we were down to about 5 hours for the ordering process. Of course we had to stop for a BarBQue lunch...Gary's favorite meal. And occasionally there was a little gossiping, a little reminiscing, a few jokes, looking out the window at the torrential rain and of course, bathroom breaks.
I vowed that 2015 would not be a PEEPS year. PEEPS are supposed to be Easter candy, right?. I wanted the NEW STUFF. After 22 years, you can imagine that some repeat candy simply has to go go go.
One observation: folks are not buying chocolate Santas like they did in the "old days". Don't know why but I do know when you have a lot of left over Santas one year, you steer clear of that problem the next year.
"Coal" candy for the naughty ones is still popular. Peppermint triumphs over cherry and raspberry every holiday season. And since last year the concept of the Mensch (ok...look it up) has gained popularity for Chanukah candy.
23 years!!! Wow...Jeff gets a kick out of the conversations Gary and I have every time we get together for this marathon candy ordering. Like an old married couple...as people used to say...we have know each other that long. He can't retire until I do!!
Stay tuned for more about holiday candy. Let's get past July 4th first!
The first time I met with Gary to order holiday candy it was in the back room of our first store....in The Farm Shopping Center. I knew absolutely nothing about candy, Of course I had eaten candy but never stopped to think about what candies were popular and what candies would do well for the various holidays in the fall. I liked Mars bars (frozen, of course) and Bit O Honey . A real gourmet, huh?
Gary was very patient...so patient that it took 8 hours for us to complete that order. At this point I don't even remember anything in particular about that day. I do remember that the back of my desk chair was always up against the bathroom door. And I learned that some people make pigs out of marzipan. So you can imagine how crowded Gary and I were when we were paging through his sales book.
This year we were down to about 5 hours for the ordering process. Of course we had to stop for a BarBQue lunch...Gary's favorite meal. And occasionally there was a little gossiping, a little reminiscing, a few jokes, looking out the window at the torrential rain and of course, bathroom breaks.
I vowed that 2015 would not be a PEEPS year. PEEPS are supposed to be Easter candy, right?. I wanted the NEW STUFF. After 22 years, you can imagine that some repeat candy simply has to go go go.
One observation: folks are not buying chocolate Santas like they did in the "old days". Don't know why but I do know when you have a lot of left over Santas one year, you steer clear of that problem the next year.
"Coal" candy for the naughty ones is still popular. Peppermint triumphs over cherry and raspberry every holiday season. And since last year the concept of the Mensch (ok...look it up) has gained popularity for Chanukah candy.
23 years!!! Wow...Jeff gets a kick out of the conversations Gary and I have every time we get together for this marathon candy ordering. Like an old married couple...as people used to say...we have know each other that long. He can't retire until I do!!
Stay tuned for more about holiday candy. Let's get past July 4th first!
Monday, May 18, 2015
Marking Those Special Occasions
Last night I went to a 5th grade graduation ceremony. One of the granddads who attended said to me that he never imagined he would be attending a 5th grade graduation. He went on to say that he wants to be around to attend the high school and college graduation of his granddaughter.
I've been thinking about that. These days with some people waiting until their late 30's to begin having children, there is no doubt that some grandparents may not be around to watch those high school and college moments.
This is not an argument for having children earlier in life. It is simply an observation that life cycle events have changed. Now 5th grade and even pre-school graduations are more important than ever. We need to mark every occasion by being present for those times.
I suppose as a retailer I have begun to think of these occasions in terms of gift buying and gift giving. It is quite natural and even critical that retailers think this way...otherwise, turn off the lights and close the door. If we are not ready with special gift items for these life cycle events, we won't be around long enough to see those events next year.
Yet we need to inspire ourselves to think about what is on the mind of the person buying that gift. I think I may have remarked in an earlier post (and if I didn't I will now) that we have seen an upsurge of people pulling out all the stops for baby's 1st birthday. At first it seemed a little odd since baby won't even remember that day.
As you know that day is really for the parents, the grandparents, the friends who are snapping photos, watching in anticipation for baby's first taste of birthday cake. We need those moments in our lives and we need to be celebrating every occasion we can, bringing every ounce of our spirit and joy to even the smallest occasion.
Every time I attend that 5th grade graduation, there is a point in the ceremony where I find tears in my eyes. I know it is going to happen, so I put a piece of tissue in my pocket, ready at any instant to dab away at those tears.
I simply love watching those 10 and 11 year old kids, in their cap and gown, squirming around in their chairs, checking out their fingernails, swinging their legs under the chair. I watch their parents, now days, with their Iphones and their Ipads, taking pictures, videotaping their child's special speech and receiving the diploma. I think back to the 5th graduation of my child. I cried the entire time, not out of unhappiness. However I am still not sure why I cried, even to this day I really don't know. It was special, it was a relief, it was the first and last time that my daughter would be an 11 year old, graduating from her elementary school.
So I am taking off the retailer's hat for a time and reflecting on how important these occasions are. Marking them with a gift is terrific. Marking them by being there is the most important thing in the world.
I've been thinking about that. These days with some people waiting until their late 30's to begin having children, there is no doubt that some grandparents may not be around to watch those high school and college moments.
This is not an argument for having children earlier in life. It is simply an observation that life cycle events have changed. Now 5th grade and even pre-school graduations are more important than ever. We need to mark every occasion by being present for those times.
I suppose as a retailer I have begun to think of these occasions in terms of gift buying and gift giving. It is quite natural and even critical that retailers think this way...otherwise, turn off the lights and close the door. If we are not ready with special gift items for these life cycle events, we won't be around long enough to see those events next year.
Yet we need to inspire ourselves to think about what is on the mind of the person buying that gift. I think I may have remarked in an earlier post (and if I didn't I will now) that we have seen an upsurge of people pulling out all the stops for baby's 1st birthday. At first it seemed a little odd since baby won't even remember that day.
As you know that day is really for the parents, the grandparents, the friends who are snapping photos, watching in anticipation for baby's first taste of birthday cake. We need those moments in our lives and we need to be celebrating every occasion we can, bringing every ounce of our spirit and joy to even the smallest occasion.
Every time I attend that 5th grade graduation, there is a point in the ceremony where I find tears in my eyes. I know it is going to happen, so I put a piece of tissue in my pocket, ready at any instant to dab away at those tears.
I simply love watching those 10 and 11 year old kids, in their cap and gown, squirming around in their chairs, checking out their fingernails, swinging their legs under the chair. I watch their parents, now days, with their Iphones and their Ipads, taking pictures, videotaping their child's special speech and receiving the diploma. I think back to the 5th graduation of my child. I cried the entire time, not out of unhappiness. However I am still not sure why I cried, even to this day I really don't know. It was special, it was a relief, it was the first and last time that my daughter would be an 11 year old, graduating from her elementary school.
So I am taking off the retailer's hat for a time and reflecting on how important these occasions are. Marking them with a gift is terrific. Marking them by being there is the most important thing in the world.
Monday, April 27, 2015
There's Nothing Better Than Being A Mother!
I can't think of anything better than being a mother. I am sort of an accidental mother, whose baby was a bit late (10 months....I am so sure of that) and my baby was a little bigger than some. Now my baby is in her mid-30's and she is fun, sharp witted, creative, theatrical, mostly kind to others and a smart cookie!
I also think that being a mother never stops. I give my advice, I suggest and sometimes insist that my baby do certain things. I believe I have to be a good example for her my whole life, not just while she is growing up. I believe that I am a mother, not her best friend and yet we can share all sorts of experiences and ideas, just like friends do.
I don't have a Facebook account; however if I did have a Facebook account, I wouldn't want to "friend" her. I think she needs some privacy and giving her that would be a good thing for her and for me.
I miss my mom. There are so many things I didn't ask her and so many experiences I had which I didn't share. I try to imagine what my mom would think about certain things, but I really don't have the answers.
I do remember the special moments my mom gave me and the opportunity I had towards the end of her life to give her as much of my time as I could.
Everyday should be Mother's Day. We designate one day out of the year to honor our Moms and one for our Dads and our Grandparents. And that is a good thing. It reminds us to let our family know how important they are to us.
What about a Daughter Day or a Son Day? I would be in favor of that. Not to idolize our children, not to pamper and pet them, to put them in an Ivy Tower. Rather to remind ourselves that we did something really right with our lives....we raised a child and left a legacy for ourselves and our families.
I also think that being a mother never stops. I give my advice, I suggest and sometimes insist that my baby do certain things. I believe I have to be a good example for her my whole life, not just while she is growing up. I believe that I am a mother, not her best friend and yet we can share all sorts of experiences and ideas, just like friends do.
I don't have a Facebook account; however if I did have a Facebook account, I wouldn't want to "friend" her. I think she needs some privacy and giving her that would be a good thing for her and for me.
I miss my mom. There are so many things I didn't ask her and so many experiences I had which I didn't share. I try to imagine what my mom would think about certain things, but I really don't have the answers.
I do remember the special moments my mom gave me and the opportunity I had towards the end of her life to give her as much of my time as I could.
Everyday should be Mother's Day. We designate one day out of the year to honor our Moms and one for our Dads and our Grandparents. And that is a good thing. It reminds us to let our family know how important they are to us.
What about a Daughter Day or a Son Day? I would be in favor of that. Not to idolize our children, not to pamper and pet them, to put them in an Ivy Tower. Rather to remind ourselves that we did something really right with our lives....we raised a child and left a legacy for ourselves and our families.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Pancakes and Maple Syrup Jelly Bellys
OK.
I am taking a poll.
The latest flavor of Jelly Bellys is reported to be Pancakes and Maple Syrup. I happen to really love Maple donuts, so this doesn't sound too bad to me. However, Draft Beer Jelly Bellys, a recent release from Jelly Belly did not hit the top of the charts. Although a sweet taste, I couldn't find the beer flavor in the bean.
Then out came Champagne...do you sense a pattern here? Champagne has done a little better, but the results are not in. The one great thing about Champagne Jelly Bellys is the wonderful color of the bean.
We are wondering why Jelly Belly didn't come out with Bacon Beans. Having been through a couple of years of bacon flavored candies, it would seem a natural for a jelly bean.
I do want to share a little story about Bean Bozzled. If you haven't heard of that game, it is distributed by Jelly Belly. We carry it and the refills of the Jelly Bellys for the game.
Someone reported that they played the game at work and one player had to eat the Skunk Jelly Belly....do you get the picture? Not only did it taste really awful, but the smell of it permeated the room. Unfortunately that player had a conference meeting shortly after and we aren't sure if he got rid of the Skunk smell.
The Candy Biz has a lot of memorable moments....bet you hadn't thought about that!
So let me know what you think of Jelly Bellys unusual flavors.
I am taking a poll.
The latest flavor of Jelly Bellys is reported to be Pancakes and Maple Syrup. I happen to really love Maple donuts, so this doesn't sound too bad to me. However, Draft Beer Jelly Bellys, a recent release from Jelly Belly did not hit the top of the charts. Although a sweet taste, I couldn't find the beer flavor in the bean.
Then out came Champagne...do you sense a pattern here? Champagne has done a little better, but the results are not in. The one great thing about Champagne Jelly Bellys is the wonderful color of the bean.
We are wondering why Jelly Belly didn't come out with Bacon Beans. Having been through a couple of years of bacon flavored candies, it would seem a natural for a jelly bean.
I do want to share a little story about Bean Bozzled. If you haven't heard of that game, it is distributed by Jelly Belly. We carry it and the refills of the Jelly Bellys for the game.
Someone reported that they played the game at work and one player had to eat the Skunk Jelly Belly....do you get the picture? Not only did it taste really awful, but the smell of it permeated the room. Unfortunately that player had a conference meeting shortly after and we aren't sure if he got rid of the Skunk smell.
The Candy Biz has a lot of memorable moments....bet you hadn't thought about that!
So let me know what you think of Jelly Bellys unusual flavors.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Tulsa, My Home Town
Today I've been thinking about how much Tulsa has changed over the years I have lived here.
The hospital I was born in (Burne Memorial...I think that's the spelling) has been torn down years ago and in its place at 15th and Peoria is a restaurant and a funeral home!
My best friend, Betty and I used to take the bus downtown on Saturdays to "shop". We really had no money to spend but it was so much fun to wander around in Vandervers and Dorothy's and eat lunch at Nelson's. It was safe, we felt like real adults and even if it was hot and stuffy, we didn't care.
I remember buying my Mom a blue glass ash tray. My Mom didn't even smoke but blue was a favorite color of hers and I thought it would be so pretty sitting on her dresser.
Then Southland Shopping Center was built at 41st and Yale and we could just walk up the hill from our house and go shopping. Brown Dunkin was my favorite store. I could look around in that store forever and if I really, really needed a party dress or a girdle (oh, yeah!), I could ask the sales lady to call my Mom and see if she would agree to let me charge it to her account.
My sister loved TG&Y and spent a lot of time in that store. And sometimes we would eat lunch in Walgreen's...oh yes, Walgreen's and we thought we were really something if we ate there.
Here we are again, talking about all the shopping, the hotels, the PAC, the Brady and Cain's....Pearl District, the Blue Dome....on and on, the blossoming of downtown Tulsa.
Tulsa, you've come back around. You've rediscovered downtown and I for one am really glad that we are no longer digging up Main Street, one year it goes south, next year it goes north.....
The hospital I was born in (Burne Memorial...I think that's the spelling) has been torn down years ago and in its place at 15th and Peoria is a restaurant and a funeral home!
My best friend, Betty and I used to take the bus downtown on Saturdays to "shop". We really had no money to spend but it was so much fun to wander around in Vandervers and Dorothy's and eat lunch at Nelson's. It was safe, we felt like real adults and even if it was hot and stuffy, we didn't care.
I remember buying my Mom a blue glass ash tray. My Mom didn't even smoke but blue was a favorite color of hers and I thought it would be so pretty sitting on her dresser.
Then Southland Shopping Center was built at 41st and Yale and we could just walk up the hill from our house and go shopping. Brown Dunkin was my favorite store. I could look around in that store forever and if I really, really needed a party dress or a girdle (oh, yeah!), I could ask the sales lady to call my Mom and see if she would agree to let me charge it to her account.
My sister loved TG&Y and spent a lot of time in that store. And sometimes we would eat lunch in Walgreen's...oh yes, Walgreen's and we thought we were really something if we ate there.
Here we are again, talking about all the shopping, the hotels, the PAC, the Brady and Cain's....Pearl District, the Blue Dome....on and on, the blossoming of downtown Tulsa.
Tulsa, you've come back around. You've rediscovered downtown and I for one am really glad that we are no longer digging up Main Street, one year it goes south, next year it goes north.....
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
What Can I Do For You?
What can we do for you?
The concerned retailer will ask him or herself that question each time a customer walks in the door. It should be ALL ABOUT YOU!
I am wondering if you feel that way when you walk into most stores? Do the staff greet you? do they seem interested in helping you? do they offer samples of their goods? do they greet you and then turn away, never to return to see how you are doing?
You know, I am a customer too. I shop for groceries, clothes, shoes, hardware, pharmacy items.....etc. Most of the time I feel like an invisible person, that is, if I don't specifically ask for help.
My favorite places to shop are like the t.v. program CHEERS....a place where, if they don't know my name, they pretend they know me and want me in their store.
And one of the most annoying experiences is when you pull out the coupon you've been saving to use and find that the deadline has passed. Urgghh (is that a word?)...do you go ahead and buy that item because, well, you are already there? or do you wait until another coupon comes along?
I have noticed that more people seem interested in shopping locally. The t.v. news I watch recently carried a story about the Farmer's Market on Cherry Street. The journalist interviewed a woman who had driven from Ponca City to shop at the Farmer's Market that morning....I just love that sort of person.
Now I see articles questioning whether Organic is really Organic and Natural is really Natural and Grown Locally is an accurate description.
Really, it isn't easy being a consumer. There are just so many questions you have to ask yourself when you go out to shop....and the one I really want to hear is WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
How about you?
The concerned retailer will ask him or herself that question each time a customer walks in the door. It should be ALL ABOUT YOU!
I am wondering if you feel that way when you walk into most stores? Do the staff greet you? do they seem interested in helping you? do they offer samples of their goods? do they greet you and then turn away, never to return to see how you are doing?
You know, I am a customer too. I shop for groceries, clothes, shoes, hardware, pharmacy items.....etc. Most of the time I feel like an invisible person, that is, if I don't specifically ask for help.
My favorite places to shop are like the t.v. program CHEERS....a place where, if they don't know my name, they pretend they know me and want me in their store.
And one of the most annoying experiences is when you pull out the coupon you've been saving to use and find that the deadline has passed. Urgghh (is that a word?)...do you go ahead and buy that item because, well, you are already there? or do you wait until another coupon comes along?
I have noticed that more people seem interested in shopping locally. The t.v. news I watch recently carried a story about the Farmer's Market on Cherry Street. The journalist interviewed a woman who had driven from Ponca City to shop at the Farmer's Market that morning....I just love that sort of person.
Now I see articles questioning whether Organic is really Organic and Natural is really Natural and Grown Locally is an accurate description.
Really, it isn't easy being a consumer. There are just so many questions you have to ask yourself when you go out to shop....and the one I really want to hear is WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
How about you?
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Easter Stats Are More Than Numbers
Easter is an interesting holiday for stores like ours.
If Easter is in March, it is usually a slow holiday and does not attract as much retail attention as Easter in April. The further into April, the more time people have to plan and think about how they are going to commemorate the holiday.
Just today I received some statistics from the National Retail Federation concerning projections for Easter.
80% of Americans are expected to spend $140.62 each on Easter purchases, as compared to 2014 Easter purchases of $137.46 each.
Frankly I can't understand that number since a new pair of shoes for Easter might very well be at least 1/2 of the $140.62!! or take the whole amount!!
The total projection for Easter purchases is projected to be $16.4 billion. Holy cow! that sounds like a really big number, until you consider that it takes into account sprucing up wardrobes, buying those ever important Easter shoes, food, candy, decorations, etc.
It is projected that people will spend more this year on food. 85.7% will purchase more food for a total of $5.3 billion. So we are talking Easter dinner and perhaps other Easter meals.
$2.2 billion will be spent on jelly beans, chocolate Peeps and other festive candy. Sweet Tooth has all of that!
$2.4 billion will be spent on gifts and $1.1 billion on flowers. $998 million will go to decorations and $695 million to greeting cards.
So there you have the story, as it affects retailers. 58.6% of shoppers will make purchases in discount stores. Technology will impact purchases as well as 13.5% of shoppers will make purchases on their Smart Phones.
I've always noticed that some parents don't want to bring their kids into our store right before Easter. It seems that those kids who still believe in the Easter bunny might begin to wonder if the candy they get in their Easter baskets looks a whole lot like what they saw at Sweet Tooth.
Like Gilda Radner used to say: "It's always something!"
If Easter is in March, it is usually a slow holiday and does not attract as much retail attention as Easter in April. The further into April, the more time people have to plan and think about how they are going to commemorate the holiday.
Just today I received some statistics from the National Retail Federation concerning projections for Easter.
80% of Americans are expected to spend $140.62 each on Easter purchases, as compared to 2014 Easter purchases of $137.46 each.
Frankly I can't understand that number since a new pair of shoes for Easter might very well be at least 1/2 of the $140.62!! or take the whole amount!!
The total projection for Easter purchases is projected to be $16.4 billion. Holy cow! that sounds like a really big number, until you consider that it takes into account sprucing up wardrobes, buying those ever important Easter shoes, food, candy, decorations, etc.
It is projected that people will spend more this year on food. 85.7% will purchase more food for a total of $5.3 billion. So we are talking Easter dinner and perhaps other Easter meals.
$2.2 billion will be spent on jelly beans, chocolate Peeps and other festive candy. Sweet Tooth has all of that!
$2.4 billion will be spent on gifts and $1.1 billion on flowers. $998 million will go to decorations and $695 million to greeting cards.
So there you have the story, as it affects retailers. 58.6% of shoppers will make purchases in discount stores. Technology will impact purchases as well as 13.5% of shoppers will make purchases on their Smart Phones.
I've always noticed that some parents don't want to bring their kids into our store right before Easter. It seems that those kids who still believe in the Easter bunny might begin to wonder if the candy they get in their Easter baskets looks a whole lot like what they saw at Sweet Tooth.
Like Gilda Radner used to say: "It's always something!"
Thursday, March 5, 2015
I Have Several Things On My Mind...
I have several things on my mind today.
One is the weather which is definitely interfering with sales.
One is the dock workers strike on the West Coast which has held up deliveries of all sorts of vendors' lines. Apparently some of the issues are resolved and the dock workers are beginning to allow crates of all sorts of shipments to go through the docks. I did hear on NPR that some manufacturers are re-considering having their merchandise, even food items, come through the West Coast docks. That will certainly hurt the economy for all those people.
Another is Easter which is coming up on April 5. I just have to point out my favorite Easter candy, an item which we have had every single year for 22 years at Easter time. That item is Duck In A Hat. You really have to come and get that Duck. The art work on the foil has not changed in 22 years. He is still a golden yellow duck, dressed and wearing a hat ... I'd say like a beret or a yarmulke. My hope for Duck In A Hat is that he continues to sell out every year. And by the way, the chocolate is very good.
Here's some other good news. I am a part of an advisory group for a trade publication called GIFTBEAT. Every month GiftBeat sends me a questionnaire re: what's selling, what's new, what's a big deal at your store, what are the top 3 vendors for the month, etc.
Apparently Joyce at GiftBeat is following our Facebook page because she wrote to ask us about the Facebook post which said "Nobody knows the Truffles I've seen" with a photo of our Sweet Shop Truffles.
That post had over 9,000 hits and Joyce was curious as to what we did to get that much attention.
Well, all Jeff did was post the picture and the saying and then watch with surprise the number of hits his post was getting.
This month's GiftBeat magazine tells our story about that post (minus our name....we are an Oklahoma retailer) and we have had a very nice chuckle and a bit of excitement over that story.
Our latest and greatest idea for a store party is coming up next week. March 13 is the release of the live action Cinderella movie, along with a Frozen short. So next week we are having a Cinderella/Frozen promotion. Doris has designed a favor bag for kids ages 3-12 and on Saturday March 14 we are having a party in our store for those kids. Among other things, they can sign up for tickets to see the movie.
Jesse and Lisa will be in period costume, posing for pictures with the kids.
So if you are wondering what we do all week at Sweet Tooth, you've had a sneak peek at our Retailer's Life.
Live long and prosper!!
One is the weather which is definitely interfering with sales.
One is the dock workers strike on the West Coast which has held up deliveries of all sorts of vendors' lines. Apparently some of the issues are resolved and the dock workers are beginning to allow crates of all sorts of shipments to go through the docks. I did hear on NPR that some manufacturers are re-considering having their merchandise, even food items, come through the West Coast docks. That will certainly hurt the economy for all those people.
Another is Easter which is coming up on April 5. I just have to point out my favorite Easter candy, an item which we have had every single year for 22 years at Easter time. That item is Duck In A Hat. You really have to come and get that Duck. The art work on the foil has not changed in 22 years. He is still a golden yellow duck, dressed and wearing a hat ... I'd say like a beret or a yarmulke. My hope for Duck In A Hat is that he continues to sell out every year. And by the way, the chocolate is very good.
Here's some other good news. I am a part of an advisory group for a trade publication called GIFTBEAT. Every month GiftBeat sends me a questionnaire re: what's selling, what's new, what's a big deal at your store, what are the top 3 vendors for the month, etc.
Apparently Joyce at GiftBeat is following our Facebook page because she wrote to ask us about the Facebook post which said "Nobody knows the Truffles I've seen" with a photo of our Sweet Shop Truffles.
That post had over 9,000 hits and Joyce was curious as to what we did to get that much attention.
Well, all Jeff did was post the picture and the saying and then watch with surprise the number of hits his post was getting.
This month's GiftBeat magazine tells our story about that post (minus our name....we are an Oklahoma retailer) and we have had a very nice chuckle and a bit of excitement over that story.
Our latest and greatest idea for a store party is coming up next week. March 13 is the release of the live action Cinderella movie, along with a Frozen short. So next week we are having a Cinderella/Frozen promotion. Doris has designed a favor bag for kids ages 3-12 and on Saturday March 14 we are having a party in our store for those kids. Among other things, they can sign up for tickets to see the movie.
Jesse and Lisa will be in period costume, posing for pictures with the kids.
So if you are wondering what we do all week at Sweet Tooth, you've had a sneak peek at our Retailer's Life.
Live long and prosper!!
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
What Is Hot & What Is Not
Midway to Valentine's Day at Sweet Tooth is looking a lot like last year, the year before,etc. etc.
Not many men yet. Mostly women who are shopping for children, grandchildren, friends and sweethearts. Women who plan ahead, pretty much know what they want and don't like to wait until the last minute to shop.
Popular items include Dark Chocolate Caramel Hearts, Jelly Belly Valentine Mix, Gummi Lips and of course, truffles and lots of chocolate.
There are some jewelry shoppers, mostly buying for themselves. Once again, many men wait until the last minute to shop for Valentine's Day.
Retailers speculate on whether the actual day of the week for Valentine's Day determines whether shopping will be vigorous or not so vigorous. I think most of us prefer that Valentine's Day happen on a Thursday or Friday when deliveries at work are popular. People like to show off what they are getting for Valentine's Day. Nothing better than to have a big bouquet of roses or a large box of chocolates showing up at work, from your sweetheart. Some, I would think, resort to sending gifts to themselves just for the show. I don't think we have ever experienced a lot of that sort of thing.
What has been waning over the years is Heart Boxes...they are more expensive to make.... and the word LOVE on anything is to be avoided for some strange reason.
This year we brought back the compartment Valentine Heart plastic box which is going over pretty well. It allows a mixture of candies in a heart shaped box with acrylic lid...not too expensive but still has that Valentine feel to it. And shows off the candy inside!!
We are waiting to see if the Heart Shaped Basket Made in Oklahoma will develop a following. Afterall, that basket could work for lots of other occasions.
I will report back after V-day on what was hot and what was not.
Not many men yet. Mostly women who are shopping for children, grandchildren, friends and sweethearts. Women who plan ahead, pretty much know what they want and don't like to wait until the last minute to shop.
Popular items include Dark Chocolate Caramel Hearts, Jelly Belly Valentine Mix, Gummi Lips and of course, truffles and lots of chocolate.
There are some jewelry shoppers, mostly buying for themselves. Once again, many men wait until the last minute to shop for Valentine's Day.
Retailers speculate on whether the actual day of the week for Valentine's Day determines whether shopping will be vigorous or not so vigorous. I think most of us prefer that Valentine's Day happen on a Thursday or Friday when deliveries at work are popular. People like to show off what they are getting for Valentine's Day. Nothing better than to have a big bouquet of roses or a large box of chocolates showing up at work, from your sweetheart. Some, I would think, resort to sending gifts to themselves just for the show. I don't think we have ever experienced a lot of that sort of thing.
What has been waning over the years is Heart Boxes...they are more expensive to make.... and the word LOVE on anything is to be avoided for some strange reason.
This year we brought back the compartment Valentine Heart plastic box which is going over pretty well. It allows a mixture of candies in a heart shaped box with acrylic lid...not too expensive but still has that Valentine feel to it. And shows off the candy inside!!
We are waiting to see if the Heart Shaped Basket Made in Oklahoma will develop a following. Afterall, that basket could work for lots of other occasions.
I will report back after V-day on what was hot and what was not.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Isn't January a Slow Month?
January is a slow month for retail stores like Sweet Tooth. Big box stores are having sales on appliances, big screen t.v.s for watching the Super Bowl, linens and a continuation of their after Christmas sales.
Small, local stores like Sweet Tooth take the time to regenerate, re-order, find the latest trends, wait for merchandise to arrive and if all else fails, dust and rearrange the store.
This year Jeff and I were unable to attend the January Gift Market. Fortunately 3 of our staff were able to spend a day in Dallas and brought back all sorts of impressions, ideas and a huge stack of catalogues which I am still attempting to go through.
January is goal-setting time as well. What will 2015 look like for our store? What do we need to do to get through to our goals?
We have begun to pick dates for our Trunk Shows and take a look at other kinds of events for the store. One of our goals is to establish our store as an destination for Oklahoma products and made in Oklahoma items.
We are going to work with a jewelry artist to bring in a one of a kind sterling silver charm. We are going to continue our relationship with the artist who annually designs and has produced an ornament which illustrates a Tulsa icon.
We want to take advantage of new fun gift items which, I must say, have become a trademark of Sweet Tooth. We often hear our customers say that they find items in our store which are different from other gift shops. We like hearing that comment! Take a look at the Selfie Pole and the Dammit Dolls, just to illustrate my point.
Of course January does bring us to February and Valentine's Day. This is what we refer to as "a last minute holiday" which means that February 13 and 14 can be our busiest days of the year. We are gearing up. Daily crunches to get our backs in shape, new tennis shoes to support the time we will spend on our feet, designing our special heart shaped baskets with yummy treats.....making sure that our Trollbeads and Kameleon jewelry lines are stocked up and ready for gift giving.
Doris is probably creating a calendar of what jewelry she will be wearing everyday at the store. Check out Doris the next time you are in.....she is the most conscientious of all of us about what matches with what.
To help carry the load, we have a new staff member, Virginia. She is discovering that retail can be a very detailed kind of a job. Be sure to welcome Virginia aboard....she's going to love getting to know all of you!
Small, local stores like Sweet Tooth take the time to regenerate, re-order, find the latest trends, wait for merchandise to arrive and if all else fails, dust and rearrange the store.
This year Jeff and I were unable to attend the January Gift Market. Fortunately 3 of our staff were able to spend a day in Dallas and brought back all sorts of impressions, ideas and a huge stack of catalogues which I am still attempting to go through.
January is goal-setting time as well. What will 2015 look like for our store? What do we need to do to get through to our goals?
We have begun to pick dates for our Trunk Shows and take a look at other kinds of events for the store. One of our goals is to establish our store as an destination for Oklahoma products and made in Oklahoma items.
We are going to work with a jewelry artist to bring in a one of a kind sterling silver charm. We are going to continue our relationship with the artist who annually designs and has produced an ornament which illustrates a Tulsa icon.
We want to take advantage of new fun gift items which, I must say, have become a trademark of Sweet Tooth. We often hear our customers say that they find items in our store which are different from other gift shops. We like hearing that comment! Take a look at the Selfie Pole and the Dammit Dolls, just to illustrate my point.
Of course January does bring us to February and Valentine's Day. This is what we refer to as "a last minute holiday" which means that February 13 and 14 can be our busiest days of the year. We are gearing up. Daily crunches to get our backs in shape, new tennis shoes to support the time we will spend on our feet, designing our special heart shaped baskets with yummy treats.....making sure that our Trollbeads and Kameleon jewelry lines are stocked up and ready for gift giving.
Doris is probably creating a calendar of what jewelry she will be wearing everyday at the store. Check out Doris the next time you are in.....she is the most conscientious of all of us about what matches with what.
To help carry the load, we have a new staff member, Virginia. She is discovering that retail can be a very detailed kind of a job. Be sure to welcome Virginia aboard....she's going to love getting to know all of you!
Friday, January 16, 2015
Grumpy Cat and Selfie Poll
Have you seen Grumpy Cat? I knew nothing about The Grumpy until my daughter Sabrina said, "Oh Mom???" and then she showed me Grumpy Cat. I understand that the Cat makes a good bit of money with licenses on that scowl.
I just want to point you in the direction of Grumpy Cat mint tins which have been very popular at Sweet Tooth. Over the holiday period we sold out of both everyday and Christmas Grumpy Cat. Sitting by the candy register, people just couldn't pass up that little punim (Yiddish for FACE).
And now there are Valentine Grumpy mints and Grumpy has not one good thing to say about Love and Valentine's Day. "I was in love once. It was awful." Meh!
We also need to point out that the Selfie Poll continues to attract attention. We've got some goodies up our collective sleeves re: The Poll.
Wouldn't it be fun to use the Selfie Poll to take a picture of Grumpy Cat.....if The Cat could stand for it??!! Hey, no opposable thumb to push the button on Grumpy's phone. Looks like The Cat is going to have to make at least one friend.
Stay tuned.
I just want to point you in the direction of Grumpy Cat mint tins which have been very popular at Sweet Tooth. Over the holiday period we sold out of both everyday and Christmas Grumpy Cat. Sitting by the candy register, people just couldn't pass up that little punim (Yiddish for FACE).
And now there are Valentine Grumpy mints and Grumpy has not one good thing to say about Love and Valentine's Day. "I was in love once. It was awful." Meh!
We also need to point out that the Selfie Poll continues to attract attention. We've got some goodies up our collective sleeves re: The Poll.
Wouldn't it be fun to use the Selfie Poll to take a picture of Grumpy Cat.....if The Cat could stand for it??!! Hey, no opposable thumb to push the button on Grumpy's phone. Looks like The Cat is going to have to make at least one friend.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Crunch Time at Sweet Tooth
Sometimes things get rather intense around Sweet Tooth and now is one of those times.
January and June are the really big and important Gift Market shows in Atlanta, Dallas and now Las Vegas. This is the time of the year when lots of new merchandise and even candy is introduced. Showrooms and temporaries are actually showing Christmas 2015 merchandise and hoping that the showrooms will gain a avalanche of orders to fulfill.
This year, for the first time in 22 years, we are not able to attend the Gift Market. 3 members of our staff will be going there for a day and will bring back their impressions of merchandise and candy we should bring into our store. They will also be looking for new trends, new colors, and new displays which we can incorporate at Sweet Tooth. We are very excited for them to be representing Sweet Tooth at the Dallas Market.
In the meantime we are busy with our After Christmas Sale, getting ready for Valentine's Day (yes, the candy is already here!), preparing our specials and making space for new merchandise as it arrives.
In addition we are writing thank you notes, holding our Staff Meeting (yummy food this time from Zoe's) and planning ahead for the rest of the year.
Our customers are often surprised to hear that we have ordered our Valentine and Easter candy last summer! Oh, yes, the manufacturers want to know how much to produce, the distributors want to know how much to sell and we want to be able to think ahead concerning our sales as well.
The Postal Carrier is burdened down with new catalogues which are arriving daily. I am trying my very best to get our orders in ahead of the Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas orders. Who wants to be the last store to show the new merchandise?
Jeff is crunching numbers, determining which merchandise and candy did its best during the holiday season. Looking at the numbers will be paramount in our decision as to what lines to continue buying, where we might be missing out on popular gifts and candy and how we might improve our bottom line.
How about those Selfie Polls? Last June we were presented with them at the Market and silly us, we passed on purchasing them. Well, we have learned that lesson and Selfie Polls are on their way to our store. If every retailer had his or her pulse on what will be the hot new item, we wouldn't have to worry about online merchants and big box stores.
Of course we are continuing to say Shop Local. Those who shop locally are the life blood of small stores like ours. Happy New Year. Hoping to see you soon at Sweet Tooth.
January and June are the really big and important Gift Market shows in Atlanta, Dallas and now Las Vegas. This is the time of the year when lots of new merchandise and even candy is introduced. Showrooms and temporaries are actually showing Christmas 2015 merchandise and hoping that the showrooms will gain a avalanche of orders to fulfill.
This year, for the first time in 22 years, we are not able to attend the Gift Market. 3 members of our staff will be going there for a day and will bring back their impressions of merchandise and candy we should bring into our store. They will also be looking for new trends, new colors, and new displays which we can incorporate at Sweet Tooth. We are very excited for them to be representing Sweet Tooth at the Dallas Market.
In the meantime we are busy with our After Christmas Sale, getting ready for Valentine's Day (yes, the candy is already here!), preparing our specials and making space for new merchandise as it arrives.
In addition we are writing thank you notes, holding our Staff Meeting (yummy food this time from Zoe's) and planning ahead for the rest of the year.
Our customers are often surprised to hear that we have ordered our Valentine and Easter candy last summer! Oh, yes, the manufacturers want to know how much to produce, the distributors want to know how much to sell and we want to be able to think ahead concerning our sales as well.
The Postal Carrier is burdened down with new catalogues which are arriving daily. I am trying my very best to get our orders in ahead of the Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas orders. Who wants to be the last store to show the new merchandise?
Jeff is crunching numbers, determining which merchandise and candy did its best during the holiday season. Looking at the numbers will be paramount in our decision as to what lines to continue buying, where we might be missing out on popular gifts and candy and how we might improve our bottom line.
How about those Selfie Polls? Last June we were presented with them at the Market and silly us, we passed on purchasing them. Well, we have learned that lesson and Selfie Polls are on their way to our store. If every retailer had his or her pulse on what will be the hot new item, we wouldn't have to worry about online merchants and big box stores.
Of course we are continuing to say Shop Local. Those who shop locally are the life blood of small stores like ours. Happy New Year. Hoping to see you soon at Sweet Tooth.
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