TAKE YOUR CANDY SALES TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH CROSS MERCHANDISING

Cross-merchandising is a technique that is used to display complementary products next to each other. The goal of cross-merchandising is to increase sales of the displayed products by encouraging shoppers who buy one item to also purchase another related product. For example, when you walk into a grocery store and see candy bars next to ice cream sandwiches, it's because those two items are crossmerchandised together.

Candy and chocolate bars work well as an addition to any ice cream sandwich display because they're both sweet treats that appeal primarily to children. Cross-merchandising these items makes sense because they can help each other sell better than if they were sold separately you might pick up an ice cream sandwich just because there's some "free" candy on top! Not sure how to get started? We've compiled a list on how to get going!

Holidays and Seasons

The holidays can be stressful with all the new flavors for each season, such as Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, and even summer! If customers are stopping in your c-store for last-minute gifts, create a little space that's dedicated to the upcoming holiday that they can rely on Here is a quick reference on what each holiday and season is about so you can get strategic with how you place your candy:

Spring: It's allergy season, and customers are sure to stop in for medicine. Pair medicine with candies that help clear sinuses, such as natural candy and peppermint Also in spring is Mother's Day, which is all about flowers, Starbucks treats, and cards. Highlight specialty candy flavors by your register, like lemon, cheesecake, lavender, and specialty chocolates.

Summer: It's all about the fun! Choose candy that won't melt easily in the sun when crossmerchandising with your summer items. Avoid chocolate and skittles and highlight hard candy, gummies, and licorice. Customers are also more likely to head to the ice cream aisle. Inspire them with candy nearby that they can quickly grab to upgrade their snacking experience.

Autmn: This is the biggest time for candy with Halloween making 3.1 billion U.S. dollars in candy sales last year, according to Statista. During this time, candy is celebrated, and you can crossmerchandise candy with everything from salty snacks to alcohol.

Winter: Winter is all about peppermint, cinnamon, chocolate, and other flavors that make us feel good about the holiday season Place them by coffee machines, hot chocolate packets, and eggnogflavored items.

Parties and Social Gatherings

Candy is a great way to add festive flair to parties Pair with other supplies such as soft drinks, disposable utensils, paper plates, napkins, and tupperware. Other items you may want include tablecloths, streamers, balloons, signs, hats, confetti/streamer guns, glow sticks, and silly string Think about when people will be throwing parties, such as the Super Bowl, Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July, and New Year's.

Related Products

Cross-merchandising candy for related products includes coffee, tea, wine, cigars, travel accessories, and those on the go to the office. Busy travelers are always purchasing gum and other tasty treats to keep with them on their journey ahead. Pair them with travel-sized items in your designated travel area For targeting the office worker, crossmerchandise candy with pens, pencils, sticky notes, and paperclips to create opportunities for additional sales.

Self-Care

Candy can be a great self-care item It's easy to take it for granted, but candy is a quick way to lift your spirits and celebrate a special occasion. The problem is that it's not always easy to find the right type of candy when you need it most, and there are so many options out there! So, what does this mean for your store? Cross-merchandising with self-care items such as candles, lotions, or bath bombs will prove a natural fit with cross-merchandising candy in terms of ensuring that customers can find exactly what they're looking for when they come into your store

Cross-merchandising candy is a great way to expand your brand and increase sales. It's also a fun way to create new products that your customers will love. There are so many possibilities when it comes to cross-merchandising candy!

Sources: https://www statista com/statistics/1305961/halloween-candy-spending-us/; https://cstoredecisions com/2023/04/07/why-is-it-important-to-cross-merchandise-candy/