Feature: Incentive products: Easter parade

Companies that want to ensure their customers and staff have a great Easter this year have a cracking choice of eggs and sweets available to them.

At the high end of the market, Harrods Corporate Service identified an increased demand for luxury chocolate in the corporate market and is hoping to achieve record sales this year in the run up to the holiday.

“Our corporate buyers recognise the value of attractively packaged chocolates and the variety from quality brands available to them to suit all budgets,” says Tracy Finn, manager of Harrods Corporate Service. “There is always great demand for individual corporate gifts to celebrate the Easter holidays.”

Gifts perfect for this season include Michel Cluizel’s dark chocolate egg selections (pictured) at £6 per 100g and the Godiva Flower Box, a selection of handcrafted premium chocolates, priced at £13.50, while other ranges include Charbonnel et Walker, Le Maison Du Chocolat and Galler.

For a fun take on the season, GroovyChocolate has a great range of goods, kicking off with the ever-popular printed-foil Easter bunnies and boxed Easter eggs. Both are made with Belgian chocolate, with the bunnies available with a full-colour printed tag or a single-colour print directly onto the foil (100g bunnies with a minimum order of 250). The eggs can come in a bespoke four-colour box or a decorative bag, also with a minimum order of 250.

For those who are looking for a more ethical choice, then organic truffles and chocolate bars should suit all tastes, as will the recyclable cartons and wrappers.

Russell Hobbs Chocolate Fountain from the Electric Incentive Company (£22.27 ex VAT) is an excellent gift that is quick to set up. The sheets of liquid chocolate are particularly appropriate for those that are lacking in teeth after years of sugar abuse, as well as, well, anyone with a sense of fun really. Those that are more interested in keeping their chocolate cool and their brand in mind well after the wrappers have been binned might like the brandable Fridgemaster Coolbox mini fridge (£58.76 ex VAT).

Following on from its successful eco-friendly Advent Calender with recycled card, biodegradable inserts, vegetable-based ink and Fairtrade chocolate, Sweet Temptations has greened up its Easter egg range. Managing director Colin Levene reveals: “With the increasing demand to evidence corporate social responsibility, this adds another dimension to any promotion and says so much more about the company. Obtaining a licence from the Fairtrade Foundation and developing the products take time and commitment which we feel is worth pursuing and we will be extending our range of Fairtrade products.” Also available are robust Easter candy cards that don’t require the delicate handling of an egg and so can easily be posted.

House of Sarunds has launched a new range which it says will add a wow factor to a promotion. Organic and Fairtrade items are available, such as the Fairtrade milk chocolate bunny, and the delicious-sounding handmade eggs from The Chocolate Alchemist which are white chocolate with raspberry, milk chocolate with lemon and dark chocolate with white chocolate.

The Van Roy range has new lines including metal chickens filled with assorted Belgian chocolate mini eggs, and deluxe spring ballotins of handwrapped Belgian chocolates which can be personalised by the in-house packing service with ribbons, wrapping papers, stickers, tags and labels. This service is also available for the ballotin of handmade English chocolate from Kimberley’s, as well as its portfolio of nougat, marzipan and other sweets for a personalised gift.

The Corporate Merchandise Company (CMC) promises something for all budgets. Chocolate lollies, priced at 53p each when buying 600, can be moulded as required and come with personalised labels.

But as CMC points out, once the chocolate has been eaten, the message has gone, so if there’s a higher budget why not go for branded mugs filled with chocolate? Also part of the high end offering from CMC is the 16 Choc Box, a rigid box containing 16 different luxurious chocolates, perfect for branding and posting, priced at £8.98 each for 100.

For clients that like things spelt out, Thorntons Direct has the perfect answer: Alphabet Truffles. The boxes contain either 22 or 33 hand-iced truffles for a personalised message, and are priced at £18 to £22. For the more traditional company, Thorntons offers stylish eggs which can be customised with a bespoke message.

With Easter falling early this year at the end of March, suppliers have been dealing with orders since Christmas, if not before. But, if you feel you have left it too late, don’t worry – chocolates have always proven to be a well-received product all year round.