Are Cancer Awareness Products Losing Their Appeal in Sales?

[lt1jane]

I would also like to see it become more like the Round Up campaign where we have an item or two in the catalog for an entire season. Again, they would need to be affordable and PC exclusive.

 

[pampered1224]

I do know this, the costs associated with doing something like that would be too much for HO. I am not sure how they do the Round-Up hearts in any form as this is such a risk for them financially. Do you order two or two hundred thousand items? The cost of an exclusive, colored item or specialty item like the heart, can be ridiculous to maintain. In fact, I am sure they were thinking cost/risk when they were looking to eliminate the Heart products all together when they were bombarded by some of us to keep them going. Very risky move financially for them. Why would you place a minimum order, set by the manufacturer, for a product, that may or may not sell. Just like everything else in our catalog, the only reasons a product is eliminated is either because of poor quality or it is not selling. We know the trivets are of good quality. So the only reason left for them wanting to discontinue the items, is cost on HOs part. Personally, I do not htink there is an easy answer here. I do know that even ordering multiple, exclusive Pink products every year for a one month push is a risk. But that one is more controlled for them.

 

[BethCooks4U]

John, the mark up for PC for our products (or any company for their products for that matter) is at least 50% - think about commissions up the line, host special pricing, etc. They are not losing money with these items. They may be making slightly less but that is all a write off which companies need too.

I understand what you are saying about the manufacturer requiring a minimum order and figuring out how much to get but even if a product ends up not selling as expected and being a loss it is again a write off.

As far as discontinuing things like the trivets - how many different trivets can they come up with and how many do we need? The reason to discontinue them is to freshen the line and create excitement for something new.

As far as the pink items I think they do it only in May because it makes them special and we promote them more in that one month than we would if they were in the book all year. I do wish they would bring them back again in October and they need to find better ideas. I do like your ideas of the smaller items in pink. People do buy that kind of thing vs larger ticket items.

Personally, I'm tired of everyone selling pink items for breast cancer. There are so many other cancers out there. I had cancer, my mother and grandfathers died of cancer. None of them breast cancer. I do promote our products and point out that everyone is affected by breast cancer (everyone knows someone) and I also say that any research helps with research for all cancers. My issue right now really is that when I give to a charity they turn around and give some of it to another charity. If I wanted to give to that second charity I would. I am being more careful where my giving goes now that I know that.

 

[darlinclem]

Pink Pan Scrapers... enough said!

 

[chefsteph07]

I just wish they would bring back some of the old ones that sold so well...for me, it was the pink bar board/knife and the pink one cup measure all...I don't really think it matters the time of the year or the fact that they are "pink" per say, but if they would come out w/ more things customers will USE, at a reasonable cost (the downfall, in my opinion, started w/ the kitchen gloves!) then the products will sell. A pink mini serving spatula, some more recipe cards like they had in the past (remember the "classic" cards? Those sold like wildfire for me), a cute apron maybe, knives for sure, how about a pink MIX N CHOP? (I would LOVE that!)

 

[heulflodyn]

we're just gearing up for HWC in the uk, in October and a lot over here are unhappy with the pink products already. Love these ideas on this thread, hope they takethem inboard for next year

 

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I didn't sell any but I just bought the items they are promoting for October. These items seem much more durable and usable....

 

[pampered1224]

Beth - very true on the profit margin. And no, I do know that if the product stays in the warehouse, it is inventoried and taxed. That is why they go out in October again. The more they can move the more they save in taxes. That said, I still truly believe in my heart that HO should NOT order anything in PINK at all. I mean it is no longer unique like it used to be. So why specialize anyway? Why could they not pick several of our best selling, best for customers in multiples, (Twixits!; Mini-Measure Alls; Mini-Serving Spatulas) and make those target products in May. Do we really need a color option? Better yet, why not put a $1 donation on everything in the catalog say over $10, as even I could not justify them putting a $1 donation on the $2 cookbook, sorry! Or maybe this. Pick an item to offer free on the $60 plus orders to do in pink. Then, put in a $.50 donation on each product ordered as well. 20 items ordered is a $10 donation. More than 10% or maybe just even a percentage of the total order. 10% of a $60 or $6. 5% of course would be $3. There just needs to be something better. To be honest even I have lost my interest in doing this because I got tired of more no's than I have even heard after asking bookings! Personally - PINK STINKS!