Snacks, Candy and Gourmet Products

Trends in Edible Gifts (From page 103) is very popular for us; so are English biscuits, and marzipan does very well, too. One of our most popular items is Icelandic licorice-flavored chocolate. We’re sold out of it right now, because this year was a bit challenging for obtaining imported candies.”

As to mailed gifts, Brinker said while the store is

“I’ll be excited to see what the shows hold in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. I haven’t read up on any new trends yet, but after Christmas, we’ll take a breath, sit down, and see what our next move will be.” they are local and mailing to friends possibly out of state, that local aspect really sells it. The flavor favorites this year are chocolate peanut butter and plain chocolate. Last year it was dark chocolate sea salt caramel. But I think the chocolate salted caramel lost its luster from its height a couple years ago.” not mailing out as many gift items this year in general, the fudge that the shop makes in-house is still doing well as a gift for the holidays both in the store and mailed. “There’s no difference between in-state and out of state buyers,” he said. “People like that it is made here, and whether they have come to visit or

For next year, Brinker said, “I’ll be excited to see what the shows hold in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. I haven’t read up on any new trends yet, but after Christmas, we’ll take a breath, sit down, and see what our next move will be.” Unlike Vargas in Scottsdale, tinned candy is not something he that does well for the store, or that he will be adding to the mix in the coming year. “The tins used to be popular, but they’re not selling for us anymore.” But there is one trend that he envisions for 2022: “more private-label candy. That would be the main thing that I am really looking at,” he said. Brinker noted that people are “more interested than ever in locally made items. We will continue to import items from Finland and Norway, however. But overall, the focus will be on private label.”

All in all, it looks a sweet New Year ahead. ❖