Each year the time rolls around when the local girl scout troops flood neighborhoods and set up their tables in front of grocery stores, enticing those who walk by to purchase a box or two of their delicious cookies. As a former girl scout, it is pretty much impossible for me to say no when I'm approached and asked to buy a box. The girl scouts are now making it even harder for everyone to say no to purchasing a box. The last year that I sold cookies, we introduced cookies that were sugar free and low carb to attract those who turned down cookies because of their diet. This blog talks about the girl scouts' new strategy for selling to those who are on a diet or do not want to purchase cookies for themselves.
Would knowing that you could send a box to the troops make you more likely to buy a box?
Do you think this idea will increase/maintain cookie sales?
Can you think of another similar strategy that would help with sales or a target group that is being missed?
allison,
ReplyDeletethe link did not work--can you try again?
dr. mishra
http://www.wonderbranding.com/2011/03/how-the-girl-scouts-are-forcing-you-to-buy-cookies-and-make-you-like-it/
ReplyDeleteSorry, I think I copied the wrong link the fist time. This should work.
Before I even started reading this article, my though was 'I never get girlscout cookies because no one ever comes around to sell them to me". This is no excuse, I have found. Just like those trying to get out of it due to a diet, there is always a reason or a way to buy. They have made it so easy by creating an App to locate cookies for sale in you area.
ReplyDeleteAnd, what a great idea to encourage buyers to send cookies to the troops. You almost feel unpatriotic if you say 'no' to such a request. Another great way to sell them....foster homes, shelters, churches (they always have socials, right?), or local schools.
For me I would not buy a extra box for the troop~ becasue there are already so many other ways of supporting them. I would want my troops to stay fit and healthy so they can be prepared for anything out there. And if they needed that ‘home confort’ of cookies I’d make them freshy bake cookies I <3 girl scout cookies but im not going to sent the troop stale cookies... Who knows how long they wait to send them off?
ReplyDeleteI think that it has the potential to increase sales... Maybe they should do a special like buy two boxes and we’ll donate 5$ to a local women’s shelter or something like that. That would make me buy lots of cookies =)
Oh... I sorta answered #3 in #2..... So yeayea.....
Lovas...
anna*
I think it's a good idea to set up a way to "buy a box for the troops." Personally, I wouldn't buy one, but there are many people out there who buy for impulse reasons and if you play to their emotions you can get a lot out of them. I think it will probably increase cookie sales, but not drastically. The Girl Scouts have never combined their cookies with another brand that I'm aware of. Why not make Girl Scout cookies for other causes as well, like breast cancer.
ReplyDeleteHaving been a Troop Cookie Manager, I know you are all doomed to "buy the damn cookies," whether you want to eat them or not. There is no way any of us will escape buying at least one box (if not many more) in our lifetimes.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Boy Scouts are trying just as hard to get in on the action, but haven't quite figured it out it's done yet. Not to mention the popcorn doesn't taste very good.
Since the Girl Scouts have changed the recipes and bakers, the taste of the cookies are headed south too. It's easy to say no when they don't taste good, right? Think again!
The girls are starting to market other things you can't possibly live with out, in an effort to compete with school fundraising sales.
As the girls age, it becomes harder to get the almighty sale. They're competing with the cute little Brownies and now the Daisys are in on the action too. How can a grown up possibly say no to a cute 6 year old?
So here in lies the marketing genius of my daughter at age 11: Take them to school and sell them to your friends, classmates, and teachers. Every day, 10 boxes out in the morning, $35.00 home in the afternoon. One of her friends has a cookie auction on the school bus every afternoon, giving it up to the highest bidder. (Don't ask how much, these kids have too much money!)
There are prizes to be had for these girls. If they want the good ones, they HAVE to sell. A lot. Get the sale from everyone and anyone, any way you can. The girls earn rewards like "Cookie Dough," money that can help pay for camp. Who wouldn't want to help send a girl to camp?
Wouldn't it just be easier to buy the girl an IPod. Then no one would have to fall off their diet of buy something they personally didn't want.
But it's not about the cookies. It's about teaching the girls life skills. Are there life skills taught selling cookies that couldn't be learned in another way?
These girls have stuck gold with their marketing skills and the world better look out, because they will be marketing bigger, more expensive things to you in about ten years!
I absolutely love the idea of sending a box to the troops. I am a huge supporter of troops and even this small gesture could put a smile of their faces when they are welcomed with a box of girl scout cookies...whoever did think of this tactic is very smooth! How can you say no to that?! There is no doubt in my mind that these smooth girl scout talkers will find other ways to get people to buy their product. I am a huge supporter as long as it's for a good cause...which it has been!
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