Feb 2009
It's A Deal!
23/02/09 16:55 Filed in: Gift Tips
Can you pass up 90% discounted merchandise? No, I can’t either, as long as I can visualize how to sell it tomorrow. That’s exactly what I’ve been finding the last couple of days as I’ve shopped at some of the big retail chains.
Today at Hobby Lobby I found pink marabou feather mini boas for only 20 cents each. Sorry, but I bought them all to use around the edges of spa baskets. Also marked down to pennies where stick-on jewels -- perfect accents on plain metal buckets. Beautiful white mugs with fillagree hearts were available for 60 cents each, and I can’t wait to use these in sweet, feminine coffee and tea baskets for Mother’s Day. And there was so much more -- a virtual plethora of value for the resourceful designer. Hope you get there tomorrow and find a great deal for yourself!
Grab Them While You Can!
23/02/09 16:41 Filed in: Gift Tips
And the markdowns continue! Today, at Hobby Lobby, I was downright knocked out by the bargains! If you have a store in your area, check out the 80% discounted items. At these prices, it can be good to buy a little retail -- just those odds and ends to extend your themes.
At only $3.99 (regularly priced $19.99), this blue jean and bandana themed wooden box is a dream find. It measures 11” across, 7” tall, and 8” on the sides, the generous proportions made it ideal for $50-and-up budget. Use the lid separately to make a shallow tray gift. For only $2.00 (regularly priced $9.99), the fringed matching message pillow fills a lot of space and adds fun text (If the boot fits, buy it in every color).
Packed with chocolates and a photo frame, the entire ensemble costs about $15 to make. Easily, with the size of the container, this gift basket could retail for $45 -- with the buyer getting a good deal, too.
You would have never heard me say this a few years ago, but in today’s heavily discounted retail world, you CAN buy retail and still have room to earn a big profit. Shop wisely and grab the bargains when you can!
Wild About Bargains
21/02/09 21:22 Filed in: Gift Tips
After-Valentine markdowns are getting serious! At 70% discounts, buying a few items at retail can make sense and save dollars -- especially when you just want a few things here and there to add a bit of variety to your gift basket inventory.
This adorable 18-inch cheetah is a good bargain at $2.99. To make it work in every day baskets, all I had to do was snip off the hot pink love pillow. Paired with tropical rain-forest themed spa gifts, the cheetah can anchor a great “Wild About You” birthday, get well, thank you -- virtually any ocasion. Watch for the completed gift basket. I’ll give you a quick preview in a couple of days.
Christmas To Valentine
19/02/09 14:27 Filed in: Gift Tips
Saving money is more than just smart business. In today’s environment, it is essential to survival. A few years ago the JUBILEE! convention sponsored a competition where designers could enter ideas for crossing designs from season-to-season. Here is a great example of how inventory can keep moving by simply changing one item, and transitioning ribbon and florals to the next season’s theme. On the right, a Noel snack bag of crackers makes the design appear to be wholly holidays. On the right, snacks from the same manufacturer are used, but the label is changed to reflect a Valentine motif. All the other products remained the same. The poinsettia was changed to a rose; shred colors moved from white to red and gold; and a holiday ribbon was replaced with Valentine hearts. Perishables moved from one season to the next -- seamlessly.
As long as the foods are still fresh and the date has not expired, any unsold foods in a set like this could move into a birthday or thank you gift the day after Valentine’s. What would you do to change the look? Bet you’ll have some great ideas!
GBR Website New Design
19/02/09 14:16 Filed in: New from Gift Basket Review
Hello new and better!! The GBR Online website is being redesigned to serve you better. And, oh WOW -- are you ever going to LOVE IT!
The newly designed site is set to debut in about three weeks. Here is a sneak peek at the exciting new elements:
- User-friendly article links
- Categorized article groupings
- Fun new layout to mini online magazine
- Seamless integration of member areas (No more multiple prompts for passwords. Enter it once and enjoy browsing around all over the thousand-plus page site. From photo galleries, archives, video downloads and articles, type your password one time and you can go anywhere!!)
And there is more, of course, but you’ll have to check back later to discover more!
The newly designed site is set to debut in about three weeks. Here is a sneak peek at the exciting new elements:
- User-friendly article links
- Categorized article groupings
- Fun new layout to mini online magazine
- Seamless integration of member areas (No more multiple prompts for passwords. Enter it once and enjoy browsing around all over the thousand-plus page site. From photo galleries, archives, video downloads and articles, type your password one time and you can go anywhere!!)
And there is more, of course, but you’ll have to check back later to discover more!
Tips For Buying Leftover Valentine
19/02/09 13:55 Filed in: In the News
If you’re smart about your shopping, you can pick up some tremendous savings this week. Mass merchants and discounters are so overstocked on unsold Valentines Day merchandise, markdowns from 50% to 90% can be found coast-to-coast. At these prices, it makes sense to buy retail and save on shipping IF -- and there is the big word -- you can use the merchandise immediately in day-to-day sales. And if these items are not even cheaper through your favorite wholesaler.
The truffles shown here are wrapped in Valentine paper. But remove the wrap (photo on right), and the box is plain gold, making it versatile and adaptable to any occasion or season. Change the ribbon, if you like, or remove it and wrap the chocolate in another pattern or motif. Items like this can be a great find at 90% discount.
Here are some tips for buying leftover Valentine merchandise:
1. Stock up on ribbon. Red, pink, gold . . . all these colors can be used year-round.
2. Look for “Wild About You” jungle merchandise, minus the message. Often, the message is just a tag or ribbon that is easily removed. Animal print motifs are great year-round.
3. Classy, elegant merchandise with a simple heart can be mixed into a plethora of themes, from Get Well to Mother’s Day. Just wait a few months, add a nice ‘from-the-heart’ verse, and no one will suspect it was a 90% off Valentine mug!
4. Use caution buying chocolates and candies, but don’t overlook the opportunities to save money. A plain box of chocolate in gold or pink can be dressed up with bright florals for a great spring theme. Red packaging can be transformed into exotic Asian themes for spring, but you’ll have to work a bit harder to achieve the cross-seasonal magic.
5. Shop through the plush for items that make the easy crossover into spring. Take the heart out of the teddy bear’s paws and replace it with a gardening tool for spring.
The bargains are out there so shop wisely and enjoy the savings!
Peanut Recalls Slowing
19/02/09 13:41 Filed in: In the News
Unbelievable! That is the only word I can muster to describe the levels of peanut-associated food recalls that have been issued in the last couple of months. The FDA daily list of recalls was so long, it wasn’t possible to begin to list them all. After a while, I simply stopped publishing the details. And still, the recalls continue, but they are beginning to show signs that the end is in sight.
Like many of you, I have gone through everything on the shelves and in my personal kitchen pantry, throwing out everything that had any peanut product or by-product. From ice cream to snack mix and a lot of things inbetween, the garbage can has been plumped but profits have been puny with all the discards.
But now, time to move forward stocking for spring. Maybe I’ll stick with plain no-frill truffles instead of the peanut butter kind. How about you?
Like many of you, I have gone through everything on the shelves and in my personal kitchen pantry, throwing out everything that had any peanut product or by-product. From ice cream to snack mix and a lot of things inbetween, the garbage can has been plumped but profits have been puny with all the discards.
But now, time to move forward stocking for spring. Maybe I’ll stick with plain no-frill truffles instead of the peanut butter kind. How about you?
Hershey Recalls
04/02/09 08:04 Filed in: In the News
Hershey Import Company Announces Nationwide Voluntary Recall on Certain Snacks
Contact:
Hershey Import Company
http://www.unfi.com/ContactUs.aspx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- EDISON, N.J., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Hershey Import Company is voluntarily recalling the lots identified below of certain varieties of snacks sold under the following brands: Express Snacks, Grateful Harvest, Woodfield Farms, Woodstock Farms, Bridgehampton Gorp, Full Circle, Nature's Promise, and Sun Harvest. Certain Hershey Import Company packaged and bulk products listed below also are being voluntarily recalled. These products are being recalled out of an abundance of caution because they contain peanuts which have the potential of being exposed to Salmonella at the Peanut Corporation of America's ("PCA") Blakely, Georgia manufacturing facility. Hershey Import Company is voluntarily recalling specific lots of the products listed at the end of this release that contain peanuts manufactured at PCA's Blakely, Georgia peanut plant.
Hershey Import Company is not affiliated with The Hershey Company, which manufactures and distributes REESE'S branded products as well as a wide range of other confectionery products.
Hershey Import Company's, Edison, NJ manufacturing facility, where each of the below listed products were manufactured, has been tested extensively for the presence of Salmonella and to date, all test results have been negative. In addition, Hershey Import Company has not received any consumer complaints of symptoms related to Salmonella.
Hershey Import Company requests that consumers check the lot numbers of any of the below-listed products they may have purchased. The affected lot numbers are limited to:
Lot Codes - 7001 through 9029 (inclusive)
Expiration Dates - 01/01/08 through 01/29/10 (inclusive)
The lot number can be found on the back panel. If consumers find that they have these products in their possession marked with any of these specific lot codes or expiration dates, they are asked not to consume the products. Consumers seeking a refund for recalled products should return the product to their place of purchase. Other lot numbers of Hershey Import Company products are not affected by this recall. Hershey Import Company intends to update this notice as the situation develops.
People infected with Salmonella can have some or all of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious disease, including headache, joint pain, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
The following products, with the lot numbers and expiration dates stated above, are being recalled by Hershey Import Company and are being removed from retail stores until an alternate supply of peanuts is identified.
| BRAND | DESCRIPTION | SIZE | UPC |
| EXPRESS SNACKS | ES ATHLETES MIX (9-2) | 2 oz | 07523984532 |
| EXPRESS SNACKS | ES MASTER ZEN PARTY (9-1.875) | 1.875 oz | 07523988440 |
| EXPRESS SNACKS | ES PEANUTS HONEY RST (9-2.75) | 2.75 oz | 07523988441 |
| EXPRESS SNACKS | ES PEANUTS RS (9-3) | 3 oz | 07523988442 |
| EXPRESS SNACKS | ES RAISIN NUT MIX (9-2.5) | 2.5 oz | 07523986532 |
| EXPRESS SNACKS | ES TROPICAL SNACK (9-2.25) | 2.25 oz | 07523988232 |
| EXPRESS SNACKS | ES ATHLETES MIX (12-10RT) | 10 oz | 07523900194 |
| EXPRESS SNACKS | ES PEANUTS HON RSTD (12-11.5RT) | 11.5 oz | 07523900200 |
| | | | |
| GRATEFUL HARVEST | GH CALIFORNIA SUPREME (12-14) | 14 oz | 78962290795 |
| GRATEFUL HARVEST | GH CASCADE TRAIL MIX (12-13.5) | 13.5 oz | 78962290797 |
| GRATEFUL HARVEST | GH ON THE TRAIL (12-14) | 14 oz | 78962290807 |
| | | | |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF CALIFORNIA SUPREME (12-14) | 14 oz | 07523922112 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF CASCADE TRAIL MIX (12-13.5) | 13.5 oz | 07523922114 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF CHOCOLATE CHERRY MUNCH12-14 | 14 oz | 07523922121 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF CHOCO CRANBERRY CRUNCH12-13 | 13 oz | 07523922126 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF GOURMET TRAIL MIX (12-14) | 14 oz | 07523922135 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF MASTER ZEN PARTY MIX12-10.5 | 10.5 oz | 07523922137 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF MOCHA MADNESS MIX (12-14) | 14 oz | 07523922138 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF ON THE TRAIL (12-14) | 14 oz | 07523922139 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF WASABI PARTY MIX (12-9) | 9 oz | 07523922142 |
| WOODFIELD FARMS | WF SUNGLOW SNACK MIX (12-14) | 14 oz | 07523922164 |
| | | | |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS NUTS OVER PEANUTS 8 x 6 | 6 oz | 04256301383 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS BAJA FIESTA 8-12 | 12 oz | 04256300925 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS BAJA FIESTA 15# | 15 lb | 04256300325 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS CALIFORNIA SUPREME ZL(8-16) | 16 oz | 04256300876 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS CASCADE TRAIL MIX ZL(8-12) | 12 oz | 04256300878 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS CHOCOLATE CHERRY MUNCH 8-12 | 12 oz | 04256300923 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS CHOCOLATE CHERRY MUNCH 15# | 15 lb | 04256300323 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS CHOCO CRANBERRY CRUNCH 8-12 | 12 oz | 04256300934 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS WASABI PEANUTS 8/8 | 8 oz | 04256301493 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS GOURMET TRAIL MIX ZL (8-12) | 12 oz | 04256392912 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS NAT GOJI BERRY BLISS 8 X 10 | 10 oz | 04256301333 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS HONEY RSTD PEANUTS 8 X 16 | 16 oz | 04256301236 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS MASTER ZEN PARTY MIX 15# | 15 lb | 04256300330 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS MASTER ZEN PARTY MIX 8-12 | 12 oz | 04256300931 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS MIX NUT EX FCY RS ZPLK(8-8) | 8 oz | 04256300850 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS MOCHA MADNESS MIX (8-12) | 12 oz | 04256300921 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS ON THE TRAIL MIX 15# | 15 lb | 04256300332 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS ON THE TRAIL 8-12 | 12 oz | 04256300933 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS MOCHA MADNESS MIX 15# | 15 lb | 04256300321 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS WASABI PARTY MIX (8-12) | 12 oz | 04256300927 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS WASABI PARTY MIX 15# | 15 lb | 04256300356 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS POCKET OF CHOC MIX 8 X 12 | 12 oz | 04256301259 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS SWEET RAGIN' FIRE MIX 8X8 | 8 oz | 04256301231 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS SUNGLOW SNACK MIX (8-12) | 12 oz | 04256300926 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS CALIFORNIA SUPREME (6-14) | 14 oz | 04256301417 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS YOGURT PASSION 15# | 15 lb | 04256300329 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS YOGURT PASSION 8-8 | 8 oz | 04256300930 |
| WOODSTOCK FARMS | WS NAT GOJI BERRY BLISS MIX15# | 15 lb | 04256301336 |
| | | | |
| BRIDGEHAMPTON GORP | BHG HAMPTONS MIX 12 X 2.5 OZ | 2.5 oz | 89361400011 |
| BRIDGEHAMPTON GORP | BHG PROTEIN MIX 12 X 2.5 OZ | 2.5 oz | 89361400012 |
| | | | |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC WASABI PARTY MIX 12 X 9 | 9 oz | 03680017595 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC MASTER ZEN PARTY MIX12-10.5 | 10.5 oz | 03680017596 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC PEANUTS RSF 12 X 12 oz | 12 oz | 03680018884 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC MOCHA MADNESS MIX 12 X 14 | 14 oz | 03680018896 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC MIXED NUTS RS XFANCY 12X11 | 11 oz | 03680018925 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC PEANUTS RSF 8 X 9 | 9 oz | 03680019346 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC MOCHA MADNESS 8-12 | 12 oz | 03680019358 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC MIXED NUTS X FANCY RS 8X8 | 8 oz | 03680019387 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC MASTER ZEN PARTY MIX 8-12 | 12 oz | 03680022069 |
| FULL CIRCLE | FC WASABI PARTY MIX (8-12) | 12 oz | 03680022072 |
| | | | |
| NATURE'S PROMISE | NP CALIFORNIA SUPREME ZL (8-16) | 16 oz | 68826706612 |
| NATURE'S PROMISE | NP MOCHA MADNESS MIX (8-12) | 12 oz | 68826706615 |
| NATURE'S PROMISE | NP CASCADE TRAIL MIX ZL (8-12) | 12 oz | 68826706616 |
| | | | |
| SUN HARVEST | S.H. DELUXE MIX 15LBS | 15 lb | No UPC |
| | | | |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | PEANUT HON.RSTD.ZIP-LK(24-16) | 16 oz | 07523914916 |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | RAINBOWS END ZIP-LKS (24-16) | 16 oz | 07523998116 |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | PEANUTS JUM RUN RAW BL 30# | 30 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | PEAN.RUNNER JUMBO BL DRSF 30# | 30 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | PEANUTS RUNNER JUMBO BL.RSF 30 | 30 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | PEANUTS VA EX LG BL RAW 30# | 30 lb | 07105602090 |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | RAW SPANISH PEANUTS 30# | 30 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | PEANUTS SPANISH R&S 30# | 30 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | HONEY ROASTED PEANUTS 30LBS | 30 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | HOT N SPICY PEANUTS 30LBS | 30 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | NACHO PEANUTS 30LBS | 30 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | ATHLETES MIX 15 LBS. | 15 lb | 02693893071 |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | CAJUN HOTS 12 LBS | 12 lb | 02693807964 |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | CASCADE TRAIL MIX 15LBS. | 15 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | CHAMACO MIX 12LBS. | 12 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | CHOCOLATE CHERRY MIX 25# | 25 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | CHOCOLATE CHERRY MIX 15# | 15 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY MIX 15# | 15 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | CHOCO CRAN. CRUNCH MIX 25# | 25 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | NAT.GOUR.TRAIL MIX(UNSULPH)15# | 15 lb | 02693864814 |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | ON THE TRAIL MIX 25# | 25 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | ON THE TRAIL MIX 15# | 15 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | ORIENTAL PARTY MIX 12LBS. | 12 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | PARADISE MIX 15LBS | 15 lb | 02693809088 |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | RAINBOWS END 17LBS | 17 lb | 02693806705 |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | POCKET OF CHOC MIX 17# | 17 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | SOUTH OF THE BORDER MIX 15LBS. | 15 lb | No UPC |
| HERSHEY IMPORT COMPANY | SHELLED PEANUTS RS (1X5#) | 5 lb | 02693877879 |