hen it comes to the perfect gift,

consumers are discovering that gourmet goods are great go-to options, giving you the opportunity to cash in on this tasty trend.  

 

During the past two years, the specialty food sector has grown a remarkable 17 percent, compared to 4 percent in overall food sales, according to the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. Even in a flailing economy, consumers view gourmet foods as affordable luxuries. Faced with tightening budgets, many are cooking and entertaining at home rather than eating out — and they’re not afraid to drop a dime on products they can enjoy with friends and family, or give as hostess gifts at friends’ fetes.

Flavoring Sales

Some of the favorite food items in 2009 include chocolate confections, coffee, condiments, spices, sauces and specialty beverages, according to Specialty Food magazine. You don’t have to be a gourmet goods shop to cash in on an industry that

the magazine says hit $60 billion in 2008. But you do need to know enough about your customers’ buying habits, gourmet

product trends and proper stocking

and sales strategies to make it a

profitable venture.

 

Ace Hardware stores aren’t the

first place you’d think to look for

gourmet dip mixes and

bakeware, but the products have been big sellers at the national chain’s Frederick, Okla., store. Its gourmet goods — salsas, organic candies, Amish jellies and gourmet coffee — and Oxo kitchen utensils and enameled bakeware account for one third of the hardware store’s space.