• A Trendsetter

Edible Arrangements shares its niche for carving fruit to resemble a flower with Fruit Flower and the Fresh Fruit Bouquet Company. And still, Edible Arrangements dominates its competitors. It has more than 1000 brick and mortar stores in 15 countries.

Online, the edible basket company maintains an engaging, socially oriented and SEO  presence.  The brand also happens to own two domains, DippedFruit.com and EdibleArrangementsCoupons.com, leveraging its internet exposure. Moreover, Edible Arrangements business model proves quite successful, given its consistent comp sales, spanning 11-years, and counting.

• The Classic

With its origins chronicling the Great Depression, Harry and David remains a classic purveyor, specializing in organic pears. Although the fruit baskets contain other goods, such as an assortment of nuts, sweet and salty snacks, Harry and David brand garners a reputation for vending quality along with Royal Rivera Organic Pears and kosher products. Given its decades as an edible  basket company, Harry and David has managed to weather financial turbulence and to remain among the top five edible fruit sellers in the industry.

• Luxury

From the packaging to the cultivation process, the fruit basket company Golden Edibles embodies the luxury brand of edible fruit bouquets. Consumer’s select between gift baskets wrap designs, handpicked organic fruit and hand dipped Belgian chocolate.  Touting its attention to the organic produce, Golden Edibles is in good company with its family of trademarks: Indulged, The Chocolate Covered Company and Incredible Berries.

• Variation of Gift Baskets

Consumers, looking for a deal or in search of an edible basket or novelty gift basket, discover hundreds of choices at Cherry Moon Farms. Generally, the website features an assortment of gift baskets of all types. Some include body gel, a bottle of wine, and of course fruit to name a few. The highlight is Cherry Moon Farms features discounted inventory.

The Willis Health and Productivity Survey, 2011 by Willis North America’s Human Capital Practice conducted a survey, regarding the percentage of U.S. employers, which have a wellness program in place.The  market research compiled data from 1,598 employers, transcending a cross spectrum of sectors, organizational sizes,  and regions. The results depicted that 60 percent of  companies were promoting wellness to employees through programs and other incentives. (1)

Most fruit bouquets consist of natural produce versus processed. Apples, strawberries, oranges pineapples are rich in  antioxidants and vitamins, validating the edible fruit basket’s nutritional sustenance.

With an edible fruit basket, companies need not worry about sending employees mixed messages.

Oranges represent an organic source of vitamin C. Pineapples are rich in vitamin C too. Medical research, documented by Mayo Clinic suggests that  individuals, maintaining diet short on vitamin C are susceptible to contracting a cold or the flu. The  subset of studies analyzed people living in extreme climates or extreme  conditions (i.e. marathon runners,skiers, and military personnel) concluding that vitamin C significantly lowered the risk of  colds, by an estimated 50%. (2)

The old adage, “an apple a day can keep the doctor away” is not the panacea for preventing illness. But, a study by a U of Illinois College of Medicine professor Gregory Freund determined that consuming foods such as apples and other fiber rich foods, boost the immune system. (3)

Many workplace environments are breeding grounds for germs, the common cold and bacteria.  Strawberries, a favorite content of the edible fruit basket abounds in the antioxidant, anthocyanins. In 2008, Science Daily reported that ‘strawberries rank fifth for the most consumed U.S. fresh fruit. Researchers determined from clinical trials that regular ingestion of strawberries leads to the human body’s ability to reproduce the antioxidant. (4)

Now, there’s a viable reason to order chocolate dipped strawberries as an alternative to the traditional fruit basket.

From the vitamins and antioxidants aboundant in the edible fruit basket,  gluten less compounds to its diet suitable qualities, fruit bouquets tend to corroborate the integrity of any wellness program, complementing the office party celebration.

Sources:

• 1) Health and Productivity Survey 2011 – Willis
• 2) Mayo Clinic Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (Updated October 2012
• 3) An Apple a Day? Study Shows Soluble Fiber Boosts Immune System 
• 4) More Strawberries, More Antioxidant Absorption

Initially, it commenced as a unique Mother’s Day gift idea. An arrangement of fruit carved to replicate a flower. But even better, it was fit for human consumption. It was a meticulously arranged fresh fruit basket, created by Edible Arrangements.  The precisely appointed fruit bouquet company was at the apex of  its popularity in cities, such as Chicago  in 2004.  It also was the same year that Millie Armstrong began the tradition of ordering her mother’s arrangements from the online gift company.

The first time that Millie gave her mother the fresh fruit basket for a Mother’s Day gift she telephoned her friends to boast about the adorable fruit bouquet. It was then that Millie decided to make it an annual treat for her mother.

The capacity to order a Mother’s Day gift online and pick it up in store to save on the delivery cost was way too easy for Millie, given her hectic work schedule. As a project manager, Millie appreciates how the Edible Arrangements’ brand enables her to maximize time and money.

Millie’s Mother’s Day Confession: “I should have known that my mom was growing weary of the fresh fruit basket. But, it was too simple, I’d usually call Edible Arrangements a week in advance; and then, pick up the  fruit bouquet at the brick and mortar store.  Well, except for Mother’s Day 2010, when I barely made the final order cutoff. The only container that was available at the Edible Arrangements store was a Ms. Kitty. That year, my mother said: ‘you don’t always have to buy a fruit bouquet’. But, I missed her subtlety.

Millie confides that it was last year that her mother candidly requested not to receive a fruit bouquet for Mother’s Day. “She told me that I feel like I’m one of your to-do list check boxes. Every year, you bring me a fruit bouquet and visit me for 22 minutes.

So after eight years of giving Mom the same old same old fresh fruit basket, I’m going all out—with a chocolate dipped fruit bouquet from The Chocolate Covered Company, a Mylar balloon, teddy bear. And, I plan to stay for 25 minute this year,” exclaims Millie.

Last year, a Chicago-based financial institution demonstrated its appreciation with a number of surprises for Secretary’s Day (Administrative Professionals’ Day). When receptionists, administrators and other support staff arrived, they were greeted with a cup of coffee, a choice of pastry and an edible fruit bouquet with a greeting card. The contents of the card also housed a gift certificate to Starbucks. Some employees received American Express credit debit card with the edible fruit bouquet.

Where to Find edible fruit baskets  for Secretary’s Day and Administrative Professionals’ Day 2012?

Edible Arrangements showcases several fruit bouquets. In cities, where there are brick and mortar fruit bouquet locations, save $12, with orders place by phone or online but picked up in store. Also, price compare fruit baskets at other leading merchants, such as Harry & David, Cherry Moon Farms, Golden Edibles, and the Fresh Fruit Bouquet Company.

Given the insecurity of the U.S.job market, there’s contention that workers are expected to do more, with very little certainty of a wage increases or appreciation.Despite the lack of recognition that companies give employees, professional colleagues who maintain mutual respect and appreciation tend to boost moral.

This April 25th 2012, don’t overlook your those office workers, particularly those with a demeanor like Ms. Hannon. Show your appreciation on Secretary’s Day and Administrative Professionals’ Day 2012, rewarding with fruit baskets and other thoughtful gift ideas.

Among the most recognized brands of fruit bouquet companies, Fresh Fruit Bouquet Company, Fruit Flower and Edible Arrangements, the latter accommodates larger groups the best as each spear of fruit serves one. However, the traditional fruit basket embodies the  Harry and David, Cherry Moon Farms and Golden Edible brands.

 Aside from a bouquet of flowers, do fruit baskets make good centerpieces?

Fruit baskets connote a container holding whole pieces of fruit. And, edible fruit bouquets or at least the products promoted by the Fresh Fruit Bouquet Company and Edible Arrangements have the ability to multitask as a centerpiece as well as a self-serve appetizer or dessert option.

Which fruit bouquet company provides the best fruit basket?

Fruit bouquets are subjective. It depends on the recipient’s preferences, where he or she resides and the immediacy at which the basket or arrangement will be consumed.
If the recipient appreciates chocolate dipped fruit, and edible arrangement, Fruit Flower or the Fresh fruit company should satisfy. However, individuals who love to bite into an apple or pear often opt for the traditional fruit basket.

Do any edible fruit companies guarantee freshness?

While all the edible fruit companies tout “freshness,” consumers should review the delivery terms of the company. This is often an area where ambiguous terms of delivery service and the quality of the basket become blurred. Golden Edibles, a merchant specializing in luxury gifts, endeavors to meet customer satisfaction.

 Take the poll, which is your favorite edible fruit company?

• Cities, where Edible Arrangements stores, are open allow for the last minute birthday present, housewarming gift or commemorative for a special occasion.
• Fresh fruit baskets outdistance the shelf life of an edible fruit bouquet.
• Edible Arrangements are not always appropriate for as a get well greeting for hospitalized individuals. As patients are often on a restricted diet or lack the appetite to savor the fruit.
• Edible Arrangements concocts smoothies and other juicy beverages at its brick and mortar stores.
• To save money on an edible fruit bouquet order, skip the extras: the Mylar balloon, teddy bear and extra greeting card These add-ons drive up the cost of the order..
• Edible Arrangements, Fruit Flowers and the Fresh Fruit Bouquet Company enable customers to customize orders with chocolate dipped fruit toppings, nuts, and other tasty snacks.
•  The caveat with an edible fruit bouquet delivery is that these orders are susceptible to spoilage when left at the door.  When possible and to save at least $12, consumers might consider ordering the gifts as an in-store pick up.
• Although creating a fruit bouquet may require 30-60 minutes of preparation time, the do-it yourself approach saves a minimum of  $20.
• Fresh fruit baskets and edible fruit bouquets are hand appointed.
• Edible Arrangements and cupcakes are the usual suspects of workplace office parties.

• To extend the life of the fruit, some fruit basket companies add additives to the fruit.

• Based on the leading gift companies, an edible fruit bouquet delivery cost averages $11.

• Traditional fresh fruit baskets, comprised of apples, oranges, and other seasonal fruits are in ample supply at Cherry Moon Farms, Harry and David and Golden Edibles.

Ordering an edible fruit basket call for few customer savvy tactics

Despite the anticipated uptick in Valentines’ Day sales, this year commanded  a slew of customer complaints.  According to National Retailers Federation, sales projections for Valentine’s Day  2012 predicted $17.6 billion in sales.

Among gift retailers, florists and fruit bouquet companies, Valentine’s Day is generally the next peak shopping time, following Christmas.  Just as consumers have to shop early online to avoid gift and delivery mishaps, online shoppers  might consider instituting specific protections to avoid disenchantment when ordering edible fruit bouquets during peak periods.

Amid Valentine’s 2012, more than a dozen customer reviews at Yelp.com and PissedConsumer.com  suggested that the fruit bouquet company, Edible Arrangements, serving the greater Boston area stranded  consumers with unfulfilled Valentine’s Day edible fruit baskets. While the company offers delivery, consumers might peruse the fruit bouquet company’s  FAQ page, where the terms of delivery are ambiguously defined as follows:

Edible Arrangements says: For orders shipping by UPS, you can typically order until at least3pmlocal (store) time on the day before the scheduled delivery date – and even later in some areas. Same day delivery is not available for orders shipped by UPS.

The inference of the aforementioned policy suggests that Edible Arrangements uses  the third party provider, UPS to accommodate  fruit bouquet deliveries. The maxim for this  fruit bouquet company entails these smart tactics:

1)      During special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and other peak holidays, consumers should opt for an in store-pickup. This saves not only on the fruit bouquet delivery cost ($12+), but any unforeseen glitches in delivery.  Moreover, Edible Arrangements even advises it customers to administer orders for peak days of observation in advance.

2)      When possible, consumers can beat the rush by opting for an earlier delivery date.

A review of Cherry Moon Farms company information, it is evident that the fruit bouquet company a subsidiary of the San Diego-based firm,  Provide Commerce—a family of ecommerce gifts sites. In other words, the fruit bouquet company relies on affiliated florists and gift shops to fulfill orders. On Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, some consumers run the risk of sending edible bouquets that are not always the freshest.

Maxim: Go directly to the source. Opt for a local florist or purveyor to fulfill fruit bouquet delivery over an e-commerce site. Remember to ask important questions: about the freshness of the edible fruit basket; whether the fruit bouquet delivery is guaranteed and if  the company outsources its deliveries.

Step 1: How Make an Easter Basket: Shop

While store bought pre-made Easter baskets require one step, these gifts baskets lack the goods to really appeal to the recipient. The first and most vital step of making an Easter basket begins with the selection of contents. Create a list of the recipient’s favorite candy, cookies, toys, cartoon characters, mobile applications, and other trinkets small enough to fit in the Easter basket.

At Target, a hobby store or even a dollar shop, remember to buy the following objects:  an Easter basket, basket filler and a cellophane bag to wrap the Easter basket.

Substitute candy and sweets with healthy alternatives such as trail mix, raisins, and fruit (apple, bananas, kiwi, etc.).

Step 2: How Make an Easter Basket: Compile

Next, gather the contents and supplies (scissors, tape, and cellophane) for the Easter basket. Fill the bottom of the basket with the straw filler or paper confetti. Then, arrange the contents in the Easter basket burying some of the goodies in the bottom of the basket.

Step 3: How Make an Easter Basket: Wrap

Once all the items are in the basket, use tape to keep the items affixed in the basket. Then cover the basket in the cellophane or plastic wrap.

For additional tips on how to make an Easter Basket, also read: “How to Make an Easter Basket out of a Fruit Bouquet.”

It turns out that an Edible Arrangements franchise, serving customers in Milton and BostonMassachusetts left an unsavory taste when almost a dozen significant others did not receive Valentine’s Day deliveries  from the edible fruit basket company and the franchise neglected to notify the affected consumers of the fruit bouquet delivery mishap.

In one case a disgruntled customer was unable to contact the fruit bouquet company for more than a week. And it was on February 21st before the customer was able to register a complaint.

In one fruit basket review, the customer commented that the edible fruit basket  company “should run for government because they share the same similarities as our countries leaders by
promising and not delivering.”

In another fruit bouquet complaint, a customer expressed that the fruit bouquet delivery was placed well in advance and the the fruit bouquet franchise still flubbed the order.

When one customer was tenacious after they found the corporate office phone
number, the message on the company voicemail stated: ”Our Mission is to WOW you”

In the interim the dissatisfied customer was was presented with two options by a company representative: allow the fruit bouquet company to make good on the week old order or obtain a refund.

In the end, the one consolation that consumers have when a fruit bouquet order goes awry:
complain, write a fruit basket review and cancel the order with the credit card company.

Edible Arrangements, the pioneer of fruit basket company franchising is already illustrating the indications of a fruitful year.  Across many media channels and financial reports, Edible Arrangements  has managed to minimize closures while keeping franchises in business.

The business magazine, Forbes ranked Edible Arrangements among the ‘Top 20 Franchises for the Buck.’ Forbes based the ranking on various metrics, including: closure rate over the last three years, domestic growth, average initial investment, locations. The criteria evaluated some 110 different franchises.

In Edible Arrangements franchise news, fruit basket company owners opened a second store in Kirkland Washington, after owning the first store in Bellevue just 24 months prior. The same fruit bouquet company also earned the ‘highest sales award.”

In other news regarding the fruit bouquet company, Edible Arrangement’s website won the nomination for the “Internet Retailer Hot 100 list for 2012. ” The award was namely due to its use of the “countdown banner,” promoting same-day orders, made by 5 p.m. Edible Arrangement’s vice president of E-commerce, Katilin Reiss,  shared that the site has a high click-through rate of some 100,000 times a month.

Some believe Edible Arrangements extended hours and same day delivery options amped up sales results allowing the franchise to weather the tumultuous economic climate of 2009 – 2011.

The International Franchise Association Educational Foundation reports: One out of every seven franchise business owners is a veteran.

Nonetheless,  the international fruit basket company, Edible Arrangements  is currently enticing U.S. veterans with a lofty $10,000 discount off  of its original franchise fee.