If there is one safe bet in American consumerism, it’s that dessert sales will always be sky-high. Despite the endless barrage of crazy diet fads and low-calorie products, people still can’t resist the allure of a delicious cup of ice cream or frozen yogurt.
In addition to tastiness, ice cream is also a great source of profitability. To optimize your ice cream sales, you need the right dessert supplies that appeal to both your customers and your bank account. There are some important decisions to be made, such as paper vs. plastic cups, and finding the perfect dessert supplies for your business can make all the difference in your success. Here are a few quick but important tips that can help take your ice cream and frozen yogurt sales to another level:
- Custom ice cream cups. There’s likely tons of competition in your area when it comes to selling ice cream/frozen yogurt, and your company needs a distinct cup that sets you apart from the rest. At the end of 2013, there were an estimated 2,582 frozen yogurt stores, and that number continues to grow as the industry gains momentum. Custom ice cream cups are some of the most important dessert supplies that you have to consider, and you should try to procure cups with a memorable, appealing design that is specific to your brand.
- Samples lead to sales. Sample spoons, sample spoons, sample spoons. For some reason, many ice cream and frozen yogurt sales avoid offering plastic tasting spoons to their customers, and it’s one of the worst mistakes you can make. Sample spoons are particularly important if you offer a wide selection of new flavors, and it’s well worth the investment to provide customers with samples to promote sales of your more unique offerings.
- Stick with the basics. Even if you do have dozens of crazy new flavors, you should still focus on the classic favorites that Americans know and love. According to a recent survey of International Ice Cream Association member companies, vanilla reigns supreme as the most popular flavor among consumers at 28%. Developing great vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry variations will help you to build a loyal customer base who will then be willing to try some of your more off-the-wall flavors.
By getting the right dessert supplies and churning out some tasty flavors, you can take your ice cream operation from “good” to “outstanding.” Find a great dessert supplies wholesaler and watch customers rave to friends and family about how awesome your shop is.