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The great British public is well known for its sweet tooth. For decades, we have been having a love affair with all things sweet and, as a result, are world famous for some of the best confectionery on the market. Wherever you go across the UK, you’re sure to find a sweet shop selling a huge range of chocolates and sweets to cater to every taste and every budget. For many people, the idea of opening their own sweet shop is a dream that they are aching to make come true. But, starting any business, and especially such a popular one, brings challenges and pitfalls that put many people off. Here at hf Chocolates we provide retailers across the country with wholesale chocolate supplies. Years of experience have given us a unique insight into the world of sweets and chocolate and we’ve put together some guidelines that will, we hope, help you get started on the road to building a successful business. Branding is the Name of the Game Competition is stiff. Every supermarket has shelves packed with a huge range of sweet things that entice the public to buy. Competing with them is difficult but possible. The secret is in how you decide to brand your business. It’s vital, at the very start of your venture, to decide on the type of market you want to attract and then to build your shop, its products and marketing around that market segment. Your immediate aim is to get people into your shop, to offer them something that they want and that they can get easily from you. Location and Population The type of shop will, obviously, depend on its location and the local population, so do your research thoroughly. Is your customer base interested in unique products that they can’t get in the supermarket and are prepared to pay a premium for? Perhaps they are socially aware and prefer to buy fair trade products over regular, mass produced products. You could also aim for the health conscious who are increasingly aware of chocolate as a super food. Another alternative, is the local “corner sweet shop” model. This appeals to many who have fond memories of their childhood. It would also appeal to an area with lots of children (near a school perhaps). Branch Out Top quality chocolate supplies are the mainstay of any sweet shop. But, it’s also important to diversify your product line so that you can attract a greater range of customers. Obviously, the things you decide to do will be dictated by your shop’s branding, theme and local demographics. But here are a few ideas to consider. Consider offering special services that the large chain stores can’t provide. Perhaps provide custom made packages for special occasions or corporate events. Maybe have a wine and chocolate evening to lure customers into your shop. Organise a chocolate workshop where customers can learn how to make their own chocolate creations. If you have the space, set up a couple of tables where customers can sit and enjoy a hot chocolate drink with a pastry. There are no limits to what you can do to attract people into your shop – all you need is a company like hf Chocolates for your chocolate supplies and you’re all set to go! Angelina Moufftard works for hf Chocolates, established providers of wholesale chocolate supplies with decades of experience supplying sweets and high-end chocolates to retailers across the UK. Working with the most dedicated suppliers from France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, the USA and the UK, hf Chocolates' great tasting and beautifully packaged products add panache to any sweet display.
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