Who Purchases Food Gifts? Part 2

In my last post we reviewed the top three industries that purchase food gifts.  All of your customers have the potential for food gift programs, but we have compiled a list of the top companies that purchase food gifts.  Today we will look at those ranked fourth, fifth and sixth based on 2011 sales. 



The insurance industry purchased 9% of Maple Ridge Farms food gifts in 2011.  Out of this 9%, independent insurance agencies purchased the most gifts.  Insurance companies and brokers are great prospects as well.  Most of these gifts were used to thank customers and employees.       

The next industry is another that may surprise you; ranking fifth, the construction industry purchased 8% of food gifts in 2011.  Building supply companies purchased most of these gifts, but contractors and the construction service industry were close behind.  A distributor based out of Minneapolis, MN found that our line drawing service was exactly what one construction company needed to thank some of their largest customers.

The construction company wanted an image of their headquarters on all of the gifts they were shipping to their customers.  They provided us with a photo of their building.  For a small charge we were able to convert this photograph into a line drawing.  The line drawing was then fire branded on the lid of wooden boxes.  The boxes were filled with our Milk Chocolate Almonds.  Not only did the recipients receive a very tasty treat, they also received a lasting reminder of the construction company. 

The freight and transportation industry purchased 8% of the food gifts we sold in 2011.  Trucking companies purchased the most out of this industry.  A very popular gift for trucking companies is our 1950’s tractor trailer with Milk Chocolate Almonds and Jumbo Cashews. 

An Oklahoma City automobile dealer wanted to thank new car customers while asking them for referrals.  Each week the sales manager sent the list of new car buyers to the distributor, then onto Maple Ridge Farms. The new car buyer was sent a box of Jumbo Cashews.  On the lid of the box are two words – “Thank You!”  The dealer’s logo is discretely branded on the side of the box.  Enclosed in each box is a note from the dealer thanking them for buying the car and asking them if they would please refer any friends or relatives who might be interested in a new or used vehicle.  Referrals tripled shortly after this program was implemented.

Stayed tuned for our next post on industries that purchase the most food gifts!