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Opening Candy Store, Looking for e-Commerce Advice

by JonSofen
7 replies
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Hi all,

I've mostly browsed this forum the past few years and learned a ton of Internet Marketing tips from just reading. But now I have a specific question relating to my new business venture, and figured this would be the perfect place to ask.

I'm opening a candy store in Las Vegas, Nevada in May. We have most of our suppliers lined up and have decided on the main concept. We have leased a store location, purchased all of our fixtures, and have a good plan of marketing locally for the physical store location.

But we don't quite yet have a good plan for our online store, if we even choose to sell online. That part hasn't been determined, but I'm thinking selling online would be good for supplemental income.

Has anyone sold candy online with any success? If we do sell online it will be candy gifts, not regular candy bars/bulk candy/etc.

What type of online marketing strategies would work best for selling candy gifts online? Or is it better to just market my store online but not actually sell products online? I'm sure candy wholesalers make great money online, but not sure if a Ma and Pop candy store would benefit from selling online. What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance for the advice!


Jon
#advice #candy #ecommerce #opening #store
  • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
    You obviously know your demographics better than I but I would think most people don't buy candy online.

    With my admittedly limited knowledge of your business, I'd say to stick to using social media to build brand awareness and to drive traffic to your physical store.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Just an idea...maybe offer a 12 month subscription for a "candy of the month"? This could multiply your marketing effectiveness. It could also make your profits high enough to be able to create an affiliate program to list at a place like CJ.com.

    Where is your store located in LV?


    Also, can you get a variety of diabetic friendly candy? This could be a niche that would do well on the Net.
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    • Profile picture of the author jipolis7
      You could create a special online section for elegant gifts that are also sweet. You could specialize on businesses, office parties, gifts for certain occasions. People tend to look these things online, but this is just an opinion.
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    • Profile picture of the author JonSofen
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      Just an idea...maybe offer a 12 month subscription for a "candy of the month"? This could multiply your marketing effectiveness. It could also make your profits high enough to be able to create an affiliate program to list at a place like CJ.com.

      Where is your store located in LV?


      Also, can you get a variety of diabetic friendly candy? This could be a niche that would do well on the Net.
      "Candy of the Month" is a good concept. My girlfriend suggested that a couple months ago. I will definitely look into it.

      Our store will be located about 10-15 minutes (depending on traffic) southwest of the Strip. We will be open for business in May.
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  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by JonSofen View Post

    Hi all,

    I've mostly browsed this forum the past few years and learned a ton of Internet Marketing tips from just reading. But now I have a specific question relating to my new business venture, and figured this would be the perfect place to ask.

    I'm opening a candy store in Las Vegas, Nevada in May. We have most of our suppliers lined up and have decided on the main concept. We have leased a store location, purchased all of our fixtures, and have a good plan of marketing locally for the physical store location.

    But we don't quite yet have a good plan for our online store, if we even choose to sell online. That part hasn't been determined, but I'm thinking selling online would be good for supplemental income.

    Has anyone sold candy online with any success? If we do sell online it will be candy gifts, not regular candy bars/bulk candy/etc.

    What type of online marketing strategies would work best for selling candy gifts online? Or is it better to just market my store online but not actually sell products online? I'm sure candy wholesalers make great money online, but not sure if a Ma and Pop candy store would benefit from selling online. What are your thoughts?

    Thanks in advance for the advice!


    Jon
    Since you have the local marketing covered, I'll skip that, other than to suggest you do a co-op postcard mailing. You "host" the card, put 6 to 10 surrounding merchants, like Subway, Spaw, Video Transfer, Dentist, Dry Cleaner etc., and mail north to Spring Valley direction.

    So, online. Two words. Corporate Gifts.

    Tins full of candy, taffy, assortments, SUGAR FREE, and target companies who will place holiday orders which could number into the hundreds and thousands.

    I'm about 5 mins from Mr Bulky's (44221), love that store, and it is a few doors down from a Party Center. Many party planners use Mr. Bulky's for party favors.

    Online could more than "supplement" your revenue, if you don't try to be everything to everybody. Specialize, create a box or tin of Las Vegas coins, for example, those gold and silver wrapped chocolates, or focus on the RETRO look to tie in to store.

    Maybe a "good luck" or a "gambler's choice". The Winning Poker Player's Sweets.

    I'd use your retro look, with a Vegas motif to brand yourself online. But start simple with an easy to fill tin of taffy, maybe with a free deck of cards inside and a tips hotsheet.

    Perhaps you can hook up with local travel agents, who could send a tin of candy as a gift.

    Use your location, the RETRO, the story of Clay and you have a good business opportunity, and YES, tons of candy are sold online. TONS.

    gjabiz
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    • Profile picture of the author JonSofen
      Originally Posted by gjabiz View Post

      Since you have the local marketing covered, I'll skip that, other than to suggest you do a co-op postcard mailing. You "host" the card, put 6 to 10 surrounding merchants, like Subway, Spaw, Video Transfer, Dentist, Dry Cleaner etc., and mail north to Spring Valley direction.

      So, online. Two words. Corporate Gifts.

      Tins full of candy, taffy, assortments, SUGAR FREE, and target companies who will place holiday orders which could number into the hundreds and thousands.

      I'm about 5 mins from Mr Bulky's (44221), love that store, and it is a few doors down from a Party Center. Many party planners use Mr. Bulky's for party favors.

      Online could more than "supplement" your revenue, if you don't try to be everything to everybody. Specialize, create a box or tin of Las Vegas coins, for example, those gold and silver wrapped chocolates, or focus on the RETRO look to tie in to store.

      Maybe a "good luck" or a "gambler's choice". The Winning Poker Player's Sweets.

      I'd use your retro look, with a Vegas motif to brand yourself online. But start simple with an easy to fill tin of taffy, maybe with a free deck of cards inside and a tips hotsheet.

      Perhaps you can hook up with local travel agents, who could send a tin of candy as a gift.

      Use your location, the RETRO, the story of Clay and you have a good business opportunity, and YES, tons of candy are sold online. TONS.

      gjabiz
      Some great ideas there. Thanks!

      Funny you mention Mr. Bulky's. That was my go-to spot growing up in Iowa. My friends and I went up to the mall all the time to hit up Mr. Bulky's and would load up on bulk candy. Some good times there!
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    • Profile picture of the author JonSofen
      Originally Posted by gjabiz View Post

      Since you have the local marketing covered, I'll skip that, other than to suggest you do a co-op postcard mailing. You "host" the card, put 6 to 10 surrounding merchants, like Subway, Spaw, Video Transfer, Dentist, Dry Cleaner etc., and mail north to Spring Valley direction.

      So, online. Two words. Corporate Gifts.

      Tins full of candy, taffy, assortments, SUGAR FREE, and target companies who will place holiday orders which could number into the hundreds and thousands.

      I'm about 5 mins from Mr Bulky's (44221), love that store, and it is a few doors down from a Party Center. Many party planners use Mr. Bulky's for party favors.

      Online could more than "supplement" your revenue, if you don't try to be everything to everybody. Specialize, create a box or tin of Las Vegas coins, for example, those gold and silver wrapped chocolates, or focus on the RETRO look to tie in to store.

      Maybe a "good luck" or a "gambler's choice". The Winning Poker Player's Sweets.

      I'd use your retro look, with a Vegas motif to brand yourself online. But start simple with an easy to fill tin of taffy, maybe with a free deck of cards inside and a tips hotsheet.

      Perhaps you can hook up with local travel agents, who could send a tin of candy as a gift.

      Use your location, the RETRO, the story of Clay and you have a good business opportunity, and YES, tons of candy are sold online. TONS.

      gjabiz
      The Winning Poker Player's Sweets is a great idea too because I'm a professional poker player.

      I do want to be a little careful connecting gambling to my store. I know it's Vegas, but we are located away from the Strip and likely won't have many tourists. Our main audience will be locals, and mostly parents and kids, so I need to be careful incorporating things like gambling into our marketing strategies.
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