Starting out as a new retailer can feel overwhelming, but when it comes to boosting profits, few products are as reliable as confectionery.
Sweets sell year-round, appeal to all ages, and offer healthy margins when bought in bulk. That’s why so many new business owners turn to wholesale confectionery suppliers like Appleton Sweets to kick-start their success.
In this guide, we’ll share practical wholesale tips for new retailers, from choosing the right products and brands to setting profit margins and planning for seasonal peaks, all with insights from Appleton’s 80+ years in the trade.
Why use a wholesale confectionery supplier?
When you opt for wholesale confectionery, you can purchase large volumes of sweets while saving money. While customers buying sweets for personal consumption or gifts don’t need to stock up on a large supply, retailers do, so they often get the best deals.
For example, when you shop with Appleton Sweets, you can buy in bulk and save money, but offer these items to your customers at a higher price.
Buying wholesale also:
- Gives you access to an ongoing supply of sweets.
- Test which products sell best without worrying about wasting money.
- Develop a specific niche that appeals to your customer base, like vegan confectionery, retro sweets, or sugar-free sweet stores.
Top wholesale tips for new confectionery retailers
Confectionery is a safe option for gifts, events, and children’s parties, so you can be sure you will attract customers. However, with high levels of competition and an array of confectionery to choose from, it’s essential to know how to maximise your profits when using wholesale suppliers.
Consider your customers
Remember how popular Woolworth’s pick and mix counter was? Even though the retailer sold a wide range of products, people still associate it with the delicious sweets. And that’s the power of confectionery.
You can harness this power to increase sales and look forward to higher profits, but it’s essential to consider what your customers want.
For example, if you live in an area with many plant-based eaters, opening a vegan sweet store can set you apart from competitors.
Retro confectionery is also highly popular, and customers love the experience of a traditional sweet shop.
Select suitable brands
When you shop wholesale, you can take advantage of a range of confectionery brands, but it’s essential to consider which are best for your needs.
For example, stocking up on fan favourites like Haribo, Cadbury, and Swizzels pretty much guarantees sales, but niche brands can attract a wider range of customers.
Halal-friendly sweets from Bebeto are top sellers, as are gluten-free brands. Choose brands that all customers can enjoy, and you can look forward to boosting your sales.
Understand profit margins
Every retailer knows that the root of their success lies in profit margins. It’s a simple formula, really; you buy in bulk to secure a discount, then you increase the markup price to make a profit.
However, the most important part of profit margins is finding the right balance. For example, if you mark the products too high, it can put customers off, but pricing the products excessively low may lead customers to doubt their quality.
The best ways to identify the right pricing strategy include:
- Checking competitor pricing in your local area or online. Look at stores that sell similar brands and consider how to position your products.
- Adjust your prices to provide seasonal discounts and when certain supplies are running low.
- Never reduce your margins too far, as it means that your store won’t be sustainable.
Stay up to date
The confectionery industry experiences frequent changes, and staying on top of these trends can attract more customers. For example, in the past we’ve seen a resurgence in retro sweets, and the demand for sugar-free confectionery has increased significantly.
When you understand which confectionery is trending, you can act quickly and meet customer demands.
Plan ahead for holidays
Sweets offer year-round popularity, but they sell more during certain seasons. For example, Halloween is trick or treat season, with families across the UK stocking up on confectionery, while Christmas is all about indulgence before those New Year’s resolutions.
However, you can drastically increase your profits and enjoy long-term success by using these seasons to your advantage. Instead of just selling sweets, you can personalise them to appeal to customers.
Here are some popular ideas:
- Sweet Hampers: You’ve got the confectionery, so stock up on supplies and create unique hampers. These gifts are ideal for special occasions like birthdays, but best-suited for Valentine’s Day and Christmas.
- Trick or Treat Bags: Instead of offering standard sweets, let your customers create trick-or-treat bags they can give to children. These options are safer than knocking on doors and perfect for Halloween parties.
- Gift Jars: Another popular option is to stock up on empty jars; your customers can fill them with popular sweets. Letting them create labels or name tags can increase your profits while also providing a unique experience.
The bottom line
Starting your own business is an exciting time, but it can be daunting. Choosing the right wholesale confectionery supplier means that you can benefit from significant savings and make a profit.
Appleton Sweets has provided thousands of customers with wholesale confectionery since 1945, and we aim to offer the perfect combination of quality and affordability.
Each of our confectionery options undergoes extensive checks to ensure they align with our standards. Our customers can also benefit from:
- New Brands: We’re at the forefront of new confectionery trends and are always ready to offer our customers the latest options. Whether you’re searching for high-quality American sweets or want to supply the latest vegan brands, you’ll find everything you need.
- Secure Delivery: We partner with reliable couriers, including DPD and UPN, which ensures that our customers can benefit from secure delivery across the UK.
Expert Support: Our customer service team is always here to offer advice and help you find the best confectionery. Please contact us today with your questions.