SamS - Profile

I just had to write a promotional article for a client about a confectionery supplier in NZ that stocks UK sweets and American candy. Confusing that they call sweets, lollies in OZ and NZ.

When I was checking out their website for research I spotted Terry's Choc Orange. My Dad loves these and only gets them at Christmas - to be honest I think they only produce them at Christmas or am I wrong?

I sometimes miss 'real' chocolate. Was fun to find some English confectionery in NZ supermarkets!

My eldest is anaphylactic to peanuts and we follow a gluten free diet for health reasons.

Chocolate for years was a no go for traces of peanuts

Trying to be healthy and reduce our family's carb, sugar and chemical intake means we are only occasional sweet treat indulgers. Have to be selective in our choices. Thankfully due to years of low sugar the kids really love 90% Lindt dark chocolate and even find most fruits naturally too sweet!

We're in Gran Canaria at the moment and were quite pleased to find gluten free confectionery for Halloween for the kids at the local supermarket. Won't dwell too much on the serious overload on artificial food colours and preservatives that night!.

There is certainly more choice for us now (after 11 years this way) as manufacturers are starting to tap into the allergy and sugar free markets. Just have to watch out for the laxative effect of the sugar substitutes e.g xylitol!

Yes, I do believe in rewarding customer loyalty.

I would always give a free gift to my party hosts as part of my presentation. This free gift was not tied to party sales. It was good for the guests to see this and would encourage them to book their own party in the future. Many hosts would be keen to re-book as well.

I also offered free gifts or a discount to customers who didn't necessarily have time to host but would collect orders from friends. I love referrals for new customers and team members so would reward those too. Often just with a thank you in a greeting card but I would include a card for them to use and pay forward the happy feeling

Also send Christmas cards to say thank you for their business during the year These can now be personalised for corporate clients as long as your Christmas card list has at least 100 names on it!

I know some Phoenix Traders who have started a loyalty card scheme for purchases. Bit like those coffee cards where you get a stamp for each purchase until you fill your card up and earn something for free or a discount but with greeting cards and stationery not coffee!

Things are a bit different now as I'm travelling with my family (husband and 4 kids) and not holding any stock like I used to for markets in Australia and New Zealand. I can't offer discounts or free gifts via my website either Phoenix Trading have recently introduced free shipping for orders over £25 though. This free shipping offer is on trial until the end of December 2016. With an increase in online sales company wide I hope they will continue this incentive in to 2017!

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Considering these latest developments I'm thinking I'll take my family back to New Zealand far away from all this Northern Hemisphere political madness!

Or maybe fufill another life long dream to buy a catamaran and just keep sailing until we find the perfect place to live!

The world's gone mad!