One thing gourmet retailers need to quickly realize is that the industry that’s virtually recession-proof is the wedding industry. When young women have been waiting all their lives for the perfect dress, cake and ceremony – those dreams can’t be squashed. However, in recent years, the industry has expanded to include a new subsection. The DiY bride who wants to have a clever hand in wedding preparations. This past week, at the National Stationery Show in New York’s Javits Center, I realized there are a number of products that would be perfect within your store while fitting both the wedding and the DiY bridal trend.Forget the overwhelming assortment of cool trays and cupcake liners. The number one product I repeatedly saw were coasters as shower and wedding favors. Coasters make an excellent addition to your store for a number of reasons. They take up a limited amount of space. They need to frequently be replaced. And, they’re cheap enough to constitute an impulse purchase.
Paige Stationery had some of the cutest coasters within the show. I was particularly fond of this letterpress variety that reads, “Eat, Drink and Be Married.” In fact, I was so fond of them, I forwarded the image to my sister-in-law (whose upcoming nuptials are in June 2013). Brides could buy these in bulk and bundle them for end-of-festivities favors. Or, those who prefer shopping off the register could use these coasters as a gift addition – alongside some of the couples favorite glass or barware. For those interested in hosting “Stock the Bar” showers, you could create a gift basket with an assortment of clever coasters, bar mixes and glass ware. The possibilities are endless! So, take it from me that this trend isn’t going anywhere. And, cash in on it while you can!
~Cathryn
|