How to Open a Candy Store Business 1-2-3
5 Tips for Shopping for Candy Store Supplies
So, you're thinking of opening a candy store. Or, maybe you already have a candy store, but you need some
ideas for giving the place a face lift. Whether you've yet to schedule the Grand Opening or you just want to
freshen up your existing establishment, below are five tips to help you shop for supplies best suited for your
candy store.
Tip #1: Know Your Store
First, you need to get to know your candy store - or the candy store you want to operate. Ask yourself the
following questions:
What kind of candy store do you want to operate? Will it have a particular theme, color scheme, or overall
"feel"?
How much space will you have to work with inside your store? Will there be room outside the building for
outdoor displays?
Will you candy store have any special features? For example, will your business have an area set aside where
customers can sit and snack on the candy they've just purchased?
Tip #2: Know Your Customers
Second, you need to know what kind of customers you plan to cater to. Candy stores generally appeal to two
main kinds of customers:
- Children and families who prefer "fun" kinds of candies.
- Adults who have more mature tastes in candies.
Tip #3: Choose the Candy You Want to Sell
In order to choose the kind of candy you want to sell in your store, you need to look again at the first and
second tips. Consider your candy store's "theme" as well as the kind of customer base you plan to cater to.
If you plan to operate a fun, fast-paced candy store that does most of its business with children and
families, consider selling popular traditional candies like gumballs, Jawbreakers, lollipops, Jelly Beans, and
Tootsie Rolls. If you plan to operate a more mature establishment that caters mostly to adults, consider
candies like gourmet chocolates, including chocolate-covered nuts, pretzels, cherries, and coffee and espresso
beans.
Tip #4: Think About the Best Candy Displays
Now that you're familiar with your candy store, the kinds of customers you plan to have, and the types of
candies you want to sell, you're ready to choose the candy displays that will best suit your business. Most all
candy stores can use display items like glass and plastic containers, colored acrylic bins, and floor and
countertop display racks; however, depending on your candy store's theme and the kinds of customers you expect,
you can choose versions of these display tools that best suit your store.
For example, if your store will do business mostly with children and families, colored acrylic containers
and bright display racks for your floors and countertop might be best. You can even add additional fun display
items like gumball machines and lollipop trees.
Gumball machines and lollipop displays might also work for older customers, but if you plan to have a more
mature customer base, you might want to choose wooden baskets and display racks and glass candy jars in lieu of
plastic and wire.
Tip #5: Shop for True Wholesale Candy Prices
You're familiar with your store, your customers, and the kind of candies you want to sell and how you want
to display those candies. Now it's time to make sure you stock your store with those candies at true wholesale
prices.
As you're shopping for wholesale candy, make sure you compare the prices of several different candy
retailers. Some companies will claim to offer wholesale prices on bulk candies, but further shopping around
will prove these prices aren't true wholesale at all.
From bulk candies at wholesale prices to all the tools you need to display them, Candy Concepts, Inc. is
your one-stop shop for all your candy store needs. Visit http://www.candyconceptsinc.com for more information.
Steps to Open a Candy Store
- Choose a location for your candy shop. A high-traffic area that is convenient for shoppers is ideal. If
there is another candy store nearby, that can actually be good for your business, since it brings candy
shoppers to that destination already. Just make sure your candy shop is better so you can win over
customers.
- Depending on where your business will be located, you'll need to get a business license from your local city
or county office (state-by-state listings here).
You may also need signage permits.
- File your fictitious business name (store name) with the county clerk. Get a federal tax ID from the
IRS website. You can also get information at the site about business income tax, self-employment tax and paying estimated taxes.
- It's important to keep personal and business finances separate, especially come tax time. You can open
a business bank account with a FDIC insured bank in an afternoon for minimal cost.
It's a good idea to interview a few banks to compare services. There are many other benefits that a
business account can offer, so make sure to ask.
- Meet with an insurance agent to discuss your insurance options and requirements. The IIABA (Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America) can help you find a
reputable agent in your area. You can also use insurance network websites to get business insurance quotes for free.
- Meet with a local tax accountant to find out how you can take advantage of all the tax benefits
available to businesses. You can also get a better understanding of what tax and accounting tasks need to
be done, and if you'd prefer to do them yourself. If you decide to do your own business bookkeeping, pick
up some business accounting software like Quickbooks Pro.
- You don't have to spend a lot on business phone service. iTeleCenter give you a high-end
phone system - features like private toll-free number, voice mail, multiple extensions, send/receive
faxes online, enhanced call forwarding, and music-on-hold (to name just a few) for a fraction of the
cost (starts at just $9.95). Setup is simple: no hardware to buy, nothing to install.
- Get business cards and other promotional materials you'll need for your business like brochures or
postcards. Hand them out to people you know and include them in all correspondence. Business cards work
well as cheap advertising too. 250 Free Business Cards. See also: 30-50% off Postcards, Brochures and
more Design your own marketing materials online using professional templates. Designs provided,
printing done for you.
- Set up a website. A website can help you advertise your candy products, any product discounts, gift
ideas, delivery services and any other information that potential customers want. You can save money by
creating your own website with simple online design programs, or outsource the job
to an affordable website designer.
Candy Store Business Plan Template
Opening a candy shop can seem overwhelming, but when you have a business plan to follow, the task is much
easier to tackle. Suddenly, the long list of things to do becomes organized and much more manageable.
With the Candy Store Business Plan, you can get
the expert guidance that will help you open your candy shop.
Follow a Step-by-Step Outline from a business expert, so you can put together your business plan
quickly and get a jump-start on your business.
Get it Risk-Free >> Open a Candy Store Business
rated by customers
Also helpful: Specialty Shop Retailing - Everything
you need to know to run your own specialty retail store.
Advertise Your Candy Store and Get Customers
Get Free Publicity
Besides advertising in your local yellow pages and running ads, you can save money by writing a brief press
release or "letter" to your local paper announcing the opening of your candy store. You can also use press
releases on an ongoing basis to publicize events, news and activities within your candy store.
Offer a special discount or free offer for first-time customers, and publications will find this more
newsworthy. This means that they're more likely to publish news about your company. You can write your own
press release - you can find press release samples here: How to Get Free Press.
Postcard Marketing
Do a postcard mailing to introduce your candy shop to neighborhood shoppers (businesses and/or individuals).
Using low-cost online services makes this an easy marketing task. First, choose a special offer that you want
to announce to potential customers. Second, design your postcards online using professional postcard
templates with VistaPrint (you can get 50% off here). And
third, get targeted leads from a lead generation company like Resource Nation.
Local Search - More and
more people are looking for local businesses online (instead of the traditional yellow pages) - and you
don't want to miss out on this market. Local Search sources that are affordable and receive substantial
traffic include: Google Local, CitySearch, Yelp and Super Pages.
Candy Store Business Resources:
- Small Business Tax Deductions
Get informed of basic business tax laws, and you can save yourself lots of money. Find out 20 different
ways that tax deductions can increase your business profits, and how to complete your tax returns for
less.
- How to Incorporate in 3 Easy Steps
Is it preferable for you to form a C Corporation, an LLC or Partnership business? What are the differences
- and how do they affect you? See which is the best business structure for you - another smart way to
maximize your income.
- Do-it-Yourself Small Business Legal Forms
Instead of hiring a lawyer to draw up general documents, you can buy standardized legal documents that can
accomplish the same thing and save you lots of money. Do you vendor or supplier contracts? Hiring forms?
Borrowing and lending paperwork? You'll find over 60 legal forms WITH Instructions!
- Business Insurance Quotes - for Free
Do you need business insurance? As you may already know, anything can happen in business, and you don't
want to find yourself unprotected. Find out exactly what kind of benefits you can get with a free quote
before you make a decision.
Find wholesale merchandise and suppliers through the Go Wholesale Search Engine. Search for any
wholesale items and find a variety of companies who have what you want. Compare offers to get the best price.
No membership required. Plus, learn about industry trends and the best bargain sources in their wholesale
forum. Get Deals on Wholesale Store Supplies & Equipment
Candy Business Associations
- National Confectioners Association
The National Confectioners Association fosters industry growth by advancing and promoting the interests of
the confectionery industry and its consumers.
2,000 Business Plans
