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Let’s be REAL… Valentine’s Day is the SUPER BOWL for bakery owners. It’s bakers BLACK FRIDAY! And your sales on this ONE DAY alone can set the trajectory for the remainder of your entire year. So, if you want HIGH SALES, and even BIGGER PROFITS this Valentine’s Day here are 5 things to avoid!
Heart-shaped cookies and basic-ass cupcakes? NO THANK YOU. Your job as a business owner is to find a way to STAND OUT amongst your competitors. Focus on offering products that showcase your bakery’s unique brand and vibe. Get creative with your designs and flavors—think custom cookies, unique themes, flavor combos, or a twist on a classic that no one else is doing. Make it your thing.
You don’t need to go all-in with crazy, over-the-top complicated cakes or DIY kits that’ll stress you out and eat up all your time. Keep it simple. Think stunning, not stressful. Products that are easy to execute and still look amazing, like beautifully decorated cookies or elaborate brownies, will keep you on track and keep your customers happy. Remember, if something is complicated to make, it’s probably going to be complicated for your customers to create on their own, too. DIY kits can be a fun option, but if they’re too difficult to assemble, customers may end up frustrated. If you do choose to offer a more elaborate item like a DIY kit, make sure you’re taking the stress out of it for your customers. Provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions, and consider including a care kit with all the necessary tools they’ll need to assemble the item properly. Think of it as setting your customers up for success—not just offering them the raw materials. A well-curated kit with everything they need, plus a little extra guidance, will make a world of difference and ensure that your customers can enjoy the process without feeling overwhelmed.
Red and pink everything, hearts, roses, chocolate overload... it’s been done. Yes, they’re classic, but they’re also everywhere. I can go to Target or Walmart and get exactly this for a fraction of the price. If you wanna stand out, start by putting a fresh twist on these traditional Valentine’s Day staples. Or better yet, create something new that feels like “you.” Your customers will appreciate something different, and it’ll make your bakery feel special.
Don’t waste your time with delicate products that don’t hold up well, like mousse-based desserts or fresh fruit tarts that won’t survive long after they leave your bakery/home/kitchen etc. While these items can be delicious, their short shelf life limits how long you can offer them to customers, and you won’t have much time to sell out before they spoil. Instead, focus on treats that can be enjoyed over several days, such as cookies, cupcakes, and brownies. These items will give your customers more flexibility, so they won’t feel rushed to eat them on Valentine’s Day itself or feel like they’re missing out if they can’t celebrate on that single day.
Remember, Valentine’s Day is a gift-giving holiday, and people want to give gifts throughout the entire season. Offering products that last longer gives your customers the chance to spread the love over a longer period and allows you to capture more sales leading up to the big day. Plus, treats that stay fresh longer are easier for you to manage and plan around, so you can focus on creating more value for your customers.
Valentine’s Day is about indulgence, but charging an arm and a leg for a cupcake won’t win you any fans. While premium items are great, make sure you’re offering something for every budget. You don’t want to price people out of doing business with you.
Consider bundling—grouping products like cupcakes or cookies into a discounted “Valentine’s Day Box” to increase your average order value. Another strategy is tiered pricing, where you offer different price points for basic, more elaborate, and premium items. This lets customers choose based on their budget. Lastly, the “good-better-best” strategy gives customers a range of options, from a simple treat to a more luxurious one, ensuring everyone feels like they have choices that work for them.
These strategies help you cater to different budgets while still offering a variety of indulgent options.
Creating a menu that gets customers BUYING from you doesn’t need to be complicated. Focus on what makes your bakery you this Valentine’s Day. Skip the boring stuff, keep it simple but creative, and give your customers something to remember.
You’ve got this!
P.S. If your Valentine's Day sales haven't been hitting the mark, I'm sharing my entire BLUEPRINT for success inside my brand-new Valentine's Day training! Learn my exact process for how to plan, sell, and market to make this Valentine's Day your most profitable holiday yet!
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