Tricks to Opening a Top-Selling Candy Store by Candy Concepts Inc.

Note: We came across this great post at www.CandyConceptsInc.com and with their permission have reposed it.
Many of us have fond memories of going into the local candy shop and getting to pick out some of our favorite treats that, for reasons unknown to a five-year old, were off limits the rest of the time. Those colorful, quaint and welcoming places are valuable staples in most communities because of the timeless tradition that they represent.
There is even an element of American heritage and culture embodied in a local candy store–that is, if the owner knows how to bring that out in their product and presentation. So for aspiring candy store owners, the trick is to create something of value that goes beyond top selling candy.
Sure, people will come there for the candy, but for many patrons, the experience and atmosphere is just as important. Most adults will go into a candy store just to enjoy the colorful interior, and if they have kids, then you know that something is coming off the shelves.
So how can a candy store owner make sure these things are reflected in their store? Here are the crucial bullet points.
1. Ideal location. A small candy shop isn’t typically going to do well in rural areas, unless it’s opened as an offshoot of a farmer’s market, or a larger and already popular outfit.
If possible, aim for downtown areas, or places with a high concentration of tourism. Even college towns are great places, as students and parents alike will spend a few dollars on candy as a change of pace.
Just make sure that the place where you decide to open gets a lot of direct and indirect foot traffic. Remember, people won’t typically drive to a candy store, they’ll drive for something else, see the candy store and think, “Well, we can at least go in and check it out.”
This is how you’ll make most of your sales, so keep it in mind when you pick your locale.
2. Great Interior Design. One of the most important aspects of your store is going to be what people see and feel when they get inside. Remember, they’re not just there for the candy. A lot of people will probably even be willing to buy candy that they can get anywhere (more on that later), so the atmosphere of your interior is going to matter a lot.
One of the biggest trends in Candy stores lately is the “retro” design, inspired by the old 50s-60s “soda shops.” Having an entire theme for a store is a great way to draw people in and adds another level of interest to your product.
Whether you design it yourself, or hire a professional, just make sure not to neglect it as a side item of your service. It’s a major component that’s worth your time, because no one wants to go to candy warehouse.
3. Original homemade treats. To be sure, people will buy a lot of Twizzlers, Sour Patch Kids and Gummy Bears, but you should also have some of your own originals and homemade options that people can’t get anywhere else.
Creating something with a local flavor or twist can be a great way to give your candy store somewhat of a trademark and an identity beyond being just another candy store. If your original items are good enough and unique, people will come to your store just for that item.
Perhaps there’s even someone local who makes their own candy who you could offer to partner with and sell. This is particularly helpful if someone already is popular amongst friends and family for making a certain kind of candy, but has no way to market it. In that situation, you can be that person’s marketer and you’ll have an original product in your store.
People come from miles around for that kind of stuff because it’s original and genuine. It simply can’t be beat.
4. Nod to local history and culture. This can be incorporated into both number two and number three as an attribute of both your store’s design and products.
Whatever the local area is known for, try and incorporate some of that into your candy. For example, one of the most basic places to start would be sports team, collegiate or professional. Whatever team is popular in that area, try to incorporate that either into your decorating or some of the candies themselves.
There are all kinds of different directions you could go with it, but just try and give your store some elements that people who know the area can identify with. It’ll make them more likely to purchase something.
More than a Candy Store
It’s tough to visualize in some ways, but your candy store needs to be more than just a place to buy candy. It should be a place that an entire community can identify with and enjoy. If you can make that a part of your retail, your candy store will have more work than it can even keep up with.
About Candy Concepts: For more than two decades, Darlene and Terry Keenan of Candy Concepts, Inc. have provided a wide range of retailers with one of the largest selections of the most popular fun-sized candies, novelty toys, and merchandise display tools in the industry.
Contact:  Heidi @ Candy Concepts, Inc.101 West Wisconsin Avenue, Pewaukee, WI. 53072  USA,  262-696-4076