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According to a 1993 survey conducted by Gift Basket Review, the gift basket business had total annual sales worth about $700 million in 1992, up from $600 million in 1991. This includes earnings from commercial businesses such as florists, specialty shops, and small, home-based operations. Gift baskets are a unique gift-giving idea that has grown in popularity over the past few years. They can be filled with an assortment of specialty foods and gifts and can be tailored for almost any occasion such as births, birthdays, house warming, or ice cream sundae-making. You need an ample work and storage area, plus a method of delivery. In addition, an 800 telephone number and the ability to take credit card orders help increase business.
Start-Up Costs And Financing Sources * From $l,000-$5,000 for small operations to $12,000 and up, depending on the type of gift baskets offered, the availability of products (wholesale), type of customer, etc. * Personal savings, small business loan. Pricing Guidelines Follow the industry guidelines (baskets usually range from $25 to $85). Marketing And Advertising Methods And Tips * Print up business cards and brochures (illustrated or with photos) describing baskets offered. * Take out display ads in the local newspapers before major holidays. * Donate some of your gift baskets to fundraising auctions. * Conduct demonstrations on putting together gift baskets to community groups. * Rent a table at local craft shows and let people make up their own baskets (say, for Mothers' or Fathers' Day). * Rent a booth at gift buyers' trade shows. * Drop off complimentary jars filled with candies to local businesses and organizations along with your business cards and brochures. Essential Equipment Baskets (purchase wholesale or at yard sales or from basket-makers), ribbons, straw filler, shrink-wrap machine (or shrink-wrap and hair dryer), basket items, table space for assembly, storage shelves for supplies and inventory, car or van for delivery. Recommended Training, Experience, Or Needed Skills * Work at a gift basket shop. * Subscribe to trade magazines and buy "how-to" videos. * Follow start-up guides, manuals. * Attend trade shows. * Have a talent for creating arrangements.
Income Potential
Depending on the volume of gift baskets you sell and your profit margin, annual income can range from $25,000 (average earnings of smaller businesses) to $50,000. A few gift basket business owners earn $100,000 to $200,000 per year! Type Of Business Primarily an in-home business dealing except for deliveries. Best Customers Companies that send gifts to valued customers and other company executives. This is a growing market, especially during the holiday season. Helpful Tips * Offer free delivery within a certain mile radius, and then charge so many cents per mile beyond that. * Concentrate on your marketing and what makes your gift baskets special as compared to the competitions. Variety Of Gift Baskets Gift Basket suppliers try to give you an idea about the unique gift baskets designed in very unique designs to boost up your special occasions. Baby Gift Baskets are designed to rejoice the particular baby birth day, or Fathers Day Gifts for an unforgettable time, Gourmet Gift Baskets for the best way of gift presentation in the world. You may send message of love & care to your family members, friends, colleagues and customers through the presentation of gourmet gift baskets. Gift Baskets comprise the premium products offered to your fortunate recipient with a surprise they will never forget. The distinguished style of Christmas Gift Baskets is very famous for the superior quality products to enhance the charms of this great festivity. Gift baskets for women are always designed in accordance to the perfect taste of women, being an indispensable part of any first-class gift-giving plan of gift basket designer. Gift basket supplies are offered by the different kind of suppliers in the very innovative and competitive styles to grow the amounts of profitability. Easter gift baskets are available in the market in unbeatable designs and products according to the religious festivity. Customer gift baskets are specially designed for the clients in order to enhance the value of the customers care. Wine gift baskets are very perfect for the fans of wine who may find a variety of wine products, arranged for them via gift basket suppliers. Wine country gift baskets are particularly offered the very popular kind of wine prepared in the country areas. Chocolate gift baskets can also be presented to your intimate friends and family members with different flavors of chocolates. Get well gift baskets are presented to the relatives and intimates who are recovering the health issues successfully. Gift baskets are categorized differently according to the nature of occasion and celebrations for the customers by different business owner of gift basket supplies.
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