Category: Products

So, Valentine’s Day has come and gone, and you may have observed that a staple of the day was nowhere to be seen. Yes, the oh so loved Sweethearts conversation hearts, around since 1866, were not available this year.

The brand was acquired by Spangler Candy, but it was bought out too late for them to produce the famous confection in time for Valentine’s Day. But not to worry, Brach’s, SweetTarts, and Sour Patch Kids were ready to pick up the slack with their own version of this favorite treat.

The classic conversation hearts will reappear next year, but will it have a negative impact on the bottom line? After all, Americans spent nearly $1.8 billion on Valentine’s candy this year. Will people continue to migrate next year to those alternative brands that were available in 2019?

Time will tell…

 

Stay groovy…

–Susie

(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)

So the tale of our family reunion continues with a bit of whimsy. When I placed my toiletries case on the bathroom counter as I unpacked my luggage at the Hilton Melbourne Beach (https://hilton.hiltonwifi.com/MLBHIHF/), I noted a difference from the previous years’ generic toiletries. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Crabtree & Evelyn brand (http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com/). Now I haven’t given a thought to that particular product line in years. I used to see storefronts for these toiletries in many a mall, however recently they were hard to come by, at least in my town. So over time, I simply forgot the brand existed and also forgot how wonderful the soaps, shampoos, and lotions were.

Now I have extremely sensitive skin. I must be very careful as I choose any product, and one wrong decision turns me into an itchy mess! I approached my Crabtree & Evelyn soap with cautious optimism. To my delight, my skin not only accepted the Verbena and Lavender soap, but it thrived! The body lotion, the shampoo, the conditioner…WOW!!

It got me pondering the prosperity that product placement generates. I am now online ordering Crabtree & Evelyn products, yet I would have never rediscovered them had the Hilton not supplied these treasures in my hotel room. Are many others choosing Crabtree & Evelyn now due to that product placement? It is most likely so…

“…It’s standard for brands to actively approach hoteliers about their offerings…Some beauty/hygiene companies are specifically focused on the hotel market, while others see it as an opportunity to get their products in front of guests who might then buy the products independently. ”

Referenced: (https://www.slate.com/articles/life/travel_explainer/2015/08/hotel_toiletries_how_are_the_soaps_and_lotions_in_the_bathroom_chosen.html)

So now I wait for the delivery of my Crabtree & Evelyn soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. Thank you, Hilton! From me…and my skin!

Stay Groovy…

–Susie