How Can I Fill Gift Basket Orders with a Limited Inventory?
Erika asks: “It seems that every time a person asks me to make a gift basket, I don’t have everything they want. How do I get around this problem without buying lots more products?”
As a designer, you want to accommodate every person who calls, but this isn’t possible without buying one of everything in the marketplace, and even then there will be a problem with size, color, or shape.
Think about large stores such as Macy’s and Harrods. They own a huge amount of inventory. However, people who shop at those stores walk out every day without purchasing. Even if this fact doesn’t solve your dilemma, it proves that you’re in good company.
The only thing you can do is continually review your inventory to match it with what customers consistently request. Stock the basic items such as cookies, crackers, cheese, popcorn, nuts, and beverages, and also keep gift items for spa and baby baskets in inventory. Wholesale providers are listed at Gift Basket Wholesale Supplies and Organic Wholesale Supplies.
Whatever your customers order most often is your target. You cannot stock everything, but you can satisfy most people who buy.
Can I Put “Not for Individual Sale” Products in My Gift Baskets?
Yvonne asks:
“I purchased four bags of candy that were combined in one package, and when I opened it, a label on each bag said that the product was not be to resold individually. Am I wrong to put each bag into four different gift baskets?“
Manufacturers often add such labeling to their products to persuade variety store retailers from buying certain products in bulk and then separating the product for individual sale.
If you visit flea markets or swap meets, you’ll also see “not for individual sale” labels on some products.
This is understandable. However, if you are not buying products packaged this way on a regular basis, then it’s okay to separate the products for individual inclusion in your gift baskets.
If these are edible products, make sure the expiration date is still valid, and also peel the “not for individual sale” labels from the items before including them in your gift baskets.
To buy products that are packaged and ready for resale (no extra package wrap to throw away), visit GiftBasketWholesaleSupplies.com and OrganicWholesaleSupplies.com for manufacturer and wholesale sources designers count on regularly.
Where to Find Baskets
Zena asks: “It’s becoming more difficult to find baskets to make gift baskets. How can I find basket sources when suppliers aren’t around?”
There are plenty of basket sources still available, especially if you’re located in the United States. Even if you’re not U.S. based, baskets are imported to your country from many places for many reasons, including gift basket making.
Before I qualified to buy baskets from wholesalers, I visited retail stores selling baskets, and these stores usually leave tags attached to baskets for sale telling you who made it or where the retailer purchased it.
Learning where florists buy their supplies is another way to locate suppliers.
The website, BasketsGiftBaskets.com, may also be helpful in leading you to basket sources.
Baskets are made mostly in Asian-based countries, and they’re not slowing down production. Keep looking in retail stores and through wholesale facilities that cater to florists and related professionals. You’ll find that baskets are plentiful in places right in your backyard.
