Just a short observation of what happens when someone combines Pro Basketball Players with Candy.
Remember, James Harden ("Fear The Beard")? Well, now Trolli candy has produced some t.v. ads featuring James Harden and Trolli gummis.
The first t.v. ad is tagged, "Inside inside inside James Harden's head" where James shuns the game day idea that you can get inside a player's head. And mini James (a second James in miniature in the ad) declares: "My head's a fortress."
Before you know it, you are associating Trolli candy with this awesome basketball player.
Next up in the Weirdly Awesome campaign will be Sour Brite Crawlers getting into James' head. And on the horizon will be a new Sour Brite Gummi based on his iconic beard.
Trolli spokesperson says that James Harden is "the perfect ambassador to inject a little of the unordinary into our consumers' day-to-day lives."
I say, Go Trolli, Go James and go to Sweet Tooth where you will find James' favorite candy: Sour Brite Crawlers.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
The Rising Cost Of Sugar..Is It A Big Deal?
It is 18 days until Easter and actually 8 days until St. Patrick's Day. Easter candy and baskets are on display at the store. What else is going on in candy land?
I heard on NPR this week that among other problems our economy might be having, the candy industry is confronted with the rising cost of sugar. Even I had not been thinking about the rising cost of sugar, so I was a bit taken back by that report.
I had been thinking about the low price of oil and how it is effecting Oklahoma's economy. Not only do we have the really big problems like how to fund our schools, whether we want to see our constitution changed in order to allow what? religious proclamations on stone at our capital, we are also faced with a slowing interest in just plain shopping.
Stores like Sweet Tooth depend on local shopping. We do not sell online. Maybe we are just out of date or perhaps we believe that some people still like to see what they are buying, touch it, determine its nature or ingredients or appeal. We are also the people who actually buy our inventory products at the Gift Market where we, too, can see, touch and feel what we are going to present to our customers.
Our store is particularly challenged by the various grocery stores which offer candy, not as a retail product so much as an impulse buy or a come-on with a lower price. Candy is a fragile item. It needs to be stored in the proper temperature, proper lighting and constantly re-cycled so that what is in jar, the case or the spinner is the most recent candy purchased by our store.
Grocery stores and discount stores do not have as a goal to meet these conditions with their candy. Of course, they want to put the older bananas in the front of the display, or the older tomatoes on top of the newer ones; however if the store has barrels of unwrapped candy, we have occasionally seen the employee simply dump the newer candy on the top which means that someone is going to get the older candy which has been sitting in the barrel for weeks.
You can understand why this practice gives me the willys!! We have specialized in candy for over 23 years. We don't carry scented items near the chocolate which would absorb those odors and change the taste of the chocolate. We watch Best By dates and we continually watch the temperature and light and humidity in the store. That's why I am always wearing a jacket or sweater...what is good and cool for the candy can be a challenge for those who work in that environment.
So the rising cost of sugar as a minor blip on the economy scale is a big deal to us candy sellers.
I heard on NPR this week that among other problems our economy might be having, the candy industry is confronted with the rising cost of sugar. Even I had not been thinking about the rising cost of sugar, so I was a bit taken back by that report.
I had been thinking about the low price of oil and how it is effecting Oklahoma's economy. Not only do we have the really big problems like how to fund our schools, whether we want to see our constitution changed in order to allow what? religious proclamations on stone at our capital, we are also faced with a slowing interest in just plain shopping.
Stores like Sweet Tooth depend on local shopping. We do not sell online. Maybe we are just out of date or perhaps we believe that some people still like to see what they are buying, touch it, determine its nature or ingredients or appeal. We are also the people who actually buy our inventory products at the Gift Market where we, too, can see, touch and feel what we are going to present to our customers.
Our store is particularly challenged by the various grocery stores which offer candy, not as a retail product so much as an impulse buy or a come-on with a lower price. Candy is a fragile item. It needs to be stored in the proper temperature, proper lighting and constantly re-cycled so that what is in jar, the case or the spinner is the most recent candy purchased by our store.
Grocery stores and discount stores do not have as a goal to meet these conditions with their candy. Of course, they want to put the older bananas in the front of the display, or the older tomatoes on top of the newer ones; however if the store has barrels of unwrapped candy, we have occasionally seen the employee simply dump the newer candy on the top which means that someone is going to get the older candy which has been sitting in the barrel for weeks.
You can understand why this practice gives me the willys!! We have specialized in candy for over 23 years. We don't carry scented items near the chocolate which would absorb those odors and change the taste of the chocolate. We watch Best By dates and we continually watch the temperature and light and humidity in the store. That's why I am always wearing a jacket or sweater...what is good and cool for the candy can be a challenge for those who work in that environment.
So the rising cost of sugar as a minor blip on the economy scale is a big deal to us candy sellers.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Easter: The Pastel Holiday
We are rounding the corner on a February which has 29 days this year!! Happy Birthday to all those who were born on February 29. You all must be delighted to be able to celebrate on the real day of your birth.
This year Easter is the last Sunday of March. The typical response of most retailers is that Easter in April is best for retail. I'm not really sure why that is, other than April provides another week or so for people to get ready for the holiday.
We have helped our customers to celebrate 23 Easters. Times have definitely changed as to customs and traditions. Years ago, Easter baskets, with the green cellophane shred, an obligatory plush bunny, an obligatory chocolate bunny, a Jelly Belly carrot, etc. were the go-to Easter gift, even for parents of adult children.
The past few years we have seen much less interest in that pastel (really, let's face it...inexpensive) basket with the plush bunny, etc. In fact, we order a great deal less chocolate bunnies than we did years ago.
I also remember the chocolate eggs, beautifully decorated and filled with coconut or chocolate cream. No one seems to want that chocolate egg any more.
It is hard to get a handle on exactly what people want these days. We do see a number of grandparents who are cautious about buying candy for their grand kids. The grandparents tell us that their children don't want the grand kids to have sugar. Bah humbug to that! Eventually everyone discovers sugar and that is a fact.
So what are the candy retailers to do? I'll tell you what we do. We look for the new novelty candy which is also a quality candy. We look for candy which is part of a game or a toy. We continue to order those wonderful Panoramic Sugar eggs which always sell out and bring childhood memories to life. We put together Easter baskets for those who need some help and goody bags for Easter egg hunts. Those baskets are more likely to contain a Star Wars character than a bunny.
Easter candy is probably the most beautiful seasonal candy of the year. The pastel colors are happy colors. No other holiday uses pastels and those pinks, yellows, greens and purples combine in a soft manner to make Easter candy stand out as being representative of Spring..
Our Easter candy is on its way...come see what this retailer has found for this year.
In the meantime, there is St. Patrick's day...and even though it is a beer holiday, Sweet Tooth is able to offer a few candy and gift items which might just suit your fun gift-giving needs.
This year Easter is the last Sunday of March. The typical response of most retailers is that Easter in April is best for retail. I'm not really sure why that is, other than April provides another week or so for people to get ready for the holiday.
We have helped our customers to celebrate 23 Easters. Times have definitely changed as to customs and traditions. Years ago, Easter baskets, with the green cellophane shred, an obligatory plush bunny, an obligatory chocolate bunny, a Jelly Belly carrot, etc. were the go-to Easter gift, even for parents of adult children.
The past few years we have seen much less interest in that pastel (really, let's face it...inexpensive) basket with the plush bunny, etc. In fact, we order a great deal less chocolate bunnies than we did years ago.
I also remember the chocolate eggs, beautifully decorated and filled with coconut or chocolate cream. No one seems to want that chocolate egg any more.
It is hard to get a handle on exactly what people want these days. We do see a number of grandparents who are cautious about buying candy for their grand kids. The grandparents tell us that their children don't want the grand kids to have sugar. Bah humbug to that! Eventually everyone discovers sugar and that is a fact.
So what are the candy retailers to do? I'll tell you what we do. We look for the new novelty candy which is also a quality candy. We look for candy which is part of a game or a toy. We continue to order those wonderful Panoramic Sugar eggs which always sell out and bring childhood memories to life. We put together Easter baskets for those who need some help and goody bags for Easter egg hunts. Those baskets are more likely to contain a Star Wars character than a bunny.
Easter candy is probably the most beautiful seasonal candy of the year. The pastel colors are happy colors. No other holiday uses pastels and those pinks, yellows, greens and purples combine in a soft manner to make Easter candy stand out as being representative of Spring..
Our Easter candy is on its way...come see what this retailer has found for this year.
In the meantime, there is St. Patrick's day...and even though it is a beer holiday, Sweet Tooth is able to offer a few candy and gift items which might just suit your fun gift-giving needs.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Stealing Our Identity
One of the vendors we order from is Fig Design Group, the industry leader in RFID armored protection.
We have carried their armored wallet for several years and today it is even more important than ever.
Imagine that without your knowledge, as you are walking through the grocery store, someone with a RFID scanner, 3 feet away from you, is grabbing the information on your credit cards and driver's license.
Then that person is using that information to charge $100 of dollars at various stores or using the driver's license to help steal your identity.
The armored wallet is sometimes viewed as a pretty case to carry your credit cards or license. It is small so you can put it into a clutch or even your pocket without much bother at all.
However the armored wallet is more than a pretty case. It is made of a metal alloy which can prevent the RFID scanner beam from stealing your personal information.
There are some "knock off" wallets or cases out in the gift world which claim to do the same thing. However they are not made of a patented high tech 4-layer metal and woven paper as are the armored wallets.
Sweet Tooth is not just a fun and fabulous gift and candy store. It is also the place where you can purchase armored wallets or RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) credit card sleeves which protect you from those people stealing your identity,
We have carried their armored wallet for several years and today it is even more important than ever.
Imagine that without your knowledge, as you are walking through the grocery store, someone with a RFID scanner, 3 feet away from you, is grabbing the information on your credit cards and driver's license.
Then that person is using that information to charge $100 of dollars at various stores or using the driver's license to help steal your identity.
The armored wallet is sometimes viewed as a pretty case to carry your credit cards or license. It is small so you can put it into a clutch or even your pocket without much bother at all.
However the armored wallet is more than a pretty case. It is made of a metal alloy which can prevent the RFID scanner beam from stealing your personal information.
There are some "knock off" wallets or cases out in the gift world which claim to do the same thing. However they are not made of a patented high tech 4-layer metal and woven paper as are the armored wallets.
Sweet Tooth is not just a fun and fabulous gift and candy store. It is also the place where you can purchase armored wallets or RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) credit card sleeves which protect you from those people stealing your identity,
Friday, January 29, 2016
Volume 2: Back From The Dallas Gift Market
Let's begin by answering why we take the time and trouble to attend the Dallas Gift Market? I calculate that we have been to that Market over 75 times. On the one hand, walking into the Trade Mart and the World Trade Center is always like coming home. You know how the building smells, you know where the bathrooms are, you are generally able to find the showrooms you are looking for and you can count on seeing some old friends each time.
On the other hand, as online catalogues have increased, as sales reps have decreased in numbers, as some large vendors have left the Dallas Gift Market, going to the Market can be very unpredictable.
I am glad to report that the cafeteria where we eat lunch has done away with paper trays....a big waste of paper since you can only use them once. However, balancing your lunch, drink or dessert, along with your pull around suitcase and purse is a bit tricky without a tray. And I had the fun time of encountering a dispenser for forks, knives and spoons....I had never seen those before.
I have found that a growing number of vendors are pushing the edge on humor and fun with their merchandise. Certain "words" which would never have appeared on greeting cards, kitchen towels, etc. are now standard among a number of companies. Trends are more intense and duplicated throughout the showrooms and displays are continuing to be creative, colorful and attractive.
One showroom still provides lunch for anyone who walks in and some showrooms will invite you to stay for lunch. There is no way that a showroom wants you to leave because your stomach is calling out for food. There is something like a "Free Lunch", and in this case, with all the costs involved in attending the Gift Market, it is a real bonus.
The most important part of showing up at the Market is being able to talk with vendors, getting information on their merchandise which we can pass on to our customers. The other important part is the partnership which can evolve between us and the vendor. Now when we call with a request or a problem, the vendor is more likely to respond quickly and be willing to bend a few rules in order to keep us as a happy customer.
All for now. Merchandise is coming into the store. Hope to see you soon.
On the other hand, as online catalogues have increased, as sales reps have decreased in numbers, as some large vendors have left the Dallas Gift Market, going to the Market can be very unpredictable.
I am glad to report that the cafeteria where we eat lunch has done away with paper trays....a big waste of paper since you can only use them once. However, balancing your lunch, drink or dessert, along with your pull around suitcase and purse is a bit tricky without a tray. And I had the fun time of encountering a dispenser for forks, knives and spoons....I had never seen those before.
I have found that a growing number of vendors are pushing the edge on humor and fun with their merchandise. Certain "words" which would never have appeared on greeting cards, kitchen towels, etc. are now standard among a number of companies. Trends are more intense and duplicated throughout the showrooms and displays are continuing to be creative, colorful and attractive.
One showroom still provides lunch for anyone who walks in and some showrooms will invite you to stay for lunch. There is no way that a showroom wants you to leave because your stomach is calling out for food. There is something like a "Free Lunch", and in this case, with all the costs involved in attending the Gift Market, it is a real bonus.
The most important part of showing up at the Market is being able to talk with vendors, getting information on their merchandise which we can pass on to our customers. The other important part is the partnership which can evolve between us and the vendor. Now when we call with a request or a problem, the vendor is more likely to respond quickly and be willing to bend a few rules in order to keep us as a happy customer.
All for now. Merchandise is coming into the store. Hope to see you soon.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Back From The Gift Market
Well, here I am...the first day back at Sweet Tooth from the Dallas Gift Market.
I've got a few observations for you.
First, how many times do you think we ran into our friend Des from Perfect Touch? More than I could count and that was fun.
Second, our Facebook photo of me and our friend, Barry Horn from Hobbs and Dobbs in California has garnered over 650 looks. Barry is totally impressed with that number. He is one of our favorite distributors because Barry is out in the world, looking for the latest and the greatest candy and novelty items. And what is even better is that Barry is honest with us....if it won't sell, he tells us. Barry is always right. Watch for the cool candy items coming to us from Hobbs and Dobbs.
Third, after 3 times of going to the Kurt Adler showroom and placing 3 orders for great Christmas and Halloween goodies, wonderful and fun Christmas trees, and the really fun flickering glasses for Christmas (check out the Facebook picture of me and our sales rep Dave!!), I have to report that we are still not done with orders from that company.
Fourth, our true blue Trudy sales rep, who has been with us, well, it seems forever, has a new jewelry line which I think you will simply love. At the moment, Trudy has brought Forever in My Heart jewelry into the store...you know, the line of lockets and tiny beautiful charms. So watch for April when the next edition of Trudy's guaranteed winners arrives at Sweet Tooth.
Five, our new guy, Billy, worked with us for about 2 hours or more to show us some of the new collections from Demdaco....scarves which have been a big hit, Art Hearts just perfect for any gift giving occasion and of course, Halloween and Christmas fused glass plates, Pop In plates, ornaments....on and on. Even though
Billy was recovering from the flu, which he got from sitting behind a woman on the plane who was coughing the entire time, Billy was with us 100%.
I'll stop here...how much of WONDERFUL can you take in one sitting? Next time, more sneak peaks.
I've got a few observations for you.
First, how many times do you think we ran into our friend Des from Perfect Touch? More than I could count and that was fun.
Second, our Facebook photo of me and our friend, Barry Horn from Hobbs and Dobbs in California has garnered over 650 looks. Barry is totally impressed with that number. He is one of our favorite distributors because Barry is out in the world, looking for the latest and the greatest candy and novelty items. And what is even better is that Barry is honest with us....if it won't sell, he tells us. Barry is always right. Watch for the cool candy items coming to us from Hobbs and Dobbs.
Third, after 3 times of going to the Kurt Adler showroom and placing 3 orders for great Christmas and Halloween goodies, wonderful and fun Christmas trees, and the really fun flickering glasses for Christmas (check out the Facebook picture of me and our sales rep Dave!!), I have to report that we are still not done with orders from that company.
Fourth, our true blue Trudy sales rep, who has been with us, well, it seems forever, has a new jewelry line which I think you will simply love. At the moment, Trudy has brought Forever in My Heart jewelry into the store...you know, the line of lockets and tiny beautiful charms. So watch for April when the next edition of Trudy's guaranteed winners arrives at Sweet Tooth.
Five, our new guy, Billy, worked with us for about 2 hours or more to show us some of the new collections from Demdaco....scarves which have been a big hit, Art Hearts just perfect for any gift giving occasion and of course, Halloween and Christmas fused glass plates, Pop In plates, ornaments....on and on. Even though
Billy was recovering from the flu, which he got from sitting behind a woman on the plane who was coughing the entire time, Billy was with us 100%.
I'll stop here...how much of WONDERFUL can you take in one sitting? Next time, more sneak peaks.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
What Makes a Retailer Feel Really Good
I had a great experience yesterday, the kind of experience I would imagine most retailers want to have.
It involved the pure joy of receiving some beautiful merchandise and being able to unwrap it, handle it, observe all the details of each piece and then the feeling of pride that our store was going to be able to present this merchandise to our customers.
The package I received was the Spring Collection from Trollbeads. Just to set the stage, Trollbeads was one of the first jewelry lines we decided to carry in the store. We have remained over all these years the only Trollbeads retailer in Oklahoma.
Trollbeads is an artist based line. Each piece is made by hand by a jewelry artist. Not too long ago, I watched a DVD showing how these jewelry designers and artists work up their designs, then make a mold for the sterling silver pieces or use glass to make the glass beads. I was so amazed at the skill involved in producing these tiny pieces of art.
They follow each piece from start to finish. When you buy a Trollbeads piece you know that someone in the world has made this jewelry....it was not cranked out by a machine... and each has its individual personality.
Naturally we want all the items in our store to be as thoroughly produced and lovingly presented. Trollbeads is definitely at the top of that list.
Now add to that experience the package of Quilling greeting cards which arrived today. If you know Quilling, you are aware that this art form originated in ancient Egypt and has been practiced throughout Europe and Asia.
The origin of the art and its name comes from the use of birds' feathers or quills which were used to coil strips of paper around to make a design. Each card takes about 1 hour to produce and it is all done by hand.
The company we purchase these cards from has become Fair Trade certified. The 2 factories which produce these greeting cards employs over 300 people in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Not only the beauty of the cards, but the practical fact that each card guarantees a job for over 300 people really makes me feel terrific.
It involved the pure joy of receiving some beautiful merchandise and being able to unwrap it, handle it, observe all the details of each piece and then the feeling of pride that our store was going to be able to present this merchandise to our customers.
The package I received was the Spring Collection from Trollbeads. Just to set the stage, Trollbeads was one of the first jewelry lines we decided to carry in the store. We have remained over all these years the only Trollbeads retailer in Oklahoma.
Trollbeads is an artist based line. Each piece is made by hand by a jewelry artist. Not too long ago, I watched a DVD showing how these jewelry designers and artists work up their designs, then make a mold for the sterling silver pieces or use glass to make the glass beads. I was so amazed at the skill involved in producing these tiny pieces of art.
They follow each piece from start to finish. When you buy a Trollbeads piece you know that someone in the world has made this jewelry....it was not cranked out by a machine... and each has its individual personality.
Naturally we want all the items in our store to be as thoroughly produced and lovingly presented. Trollbeads is definitely at the top of that list.
Now add to that experience the package of Quilling greeting cards which arrived today. If you know Quilling, you are aware that this art form originated in ancient Egypt and has been practiced throughout Europe and Asia.
The origin of the art and its name comes from the use of birds' feathers or quills which were used to coil strips of paper around to make a design. Each card takes about 1 hour to produce and it is all done by hand.
The company we purchase these cards from has become Fair Trade certified. The 2 factories which produce these greeting cards employs over 300 people in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Not only the beauty of the cards, but the practical fact that each card guarantees a job for over 300 people really makes me feel terrific.
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