What will I be doing?

The gift basket business has nearly $1 billion in annual sales with more than 10,000 outlets. Some are in shopping malls, but a growing number are home-based businesses.

As the owner of a gift basket service, you may design, assemble and deliver unique gifts on behalf of businesses and individuals. Most gift baskets have a theme or a focus: birthday, holiday, get well, beauty, etc. Not all are delivered in baskets. Some gifts are delivered in ornamental bags, large decorated tins, wooden boxes and other containers that fit the theme.

What will I need to start?

There are thousands of gift basket services in the U.S., so yours must be unique to survive, not to mention thrive. Have you ever bought or received a gift basket? If so, what did you like—or not like—about it? What are other gift basket services in your area offering? Knowing what you can do that is unique will help you start a successful gift basket service.

You can gather gifts and materials from a variety of sources. To keep costs down, you will want to buy everything at wholesale prices. Some services buy from floral supply houses while others find what they need at large wholesale craft outlets. A few order through national catalogs offered in trade publications such as Gift Basket Review (904-634-1902).

Who will my customers be?

Customers for your gift baskets include individuals, companies, agencies, associations and groups, depending on what you decide to sell and what your competitors are offering. For example, you can specialize in award baskets for fraternal organizations, birthday baskets for customers of your business clients, or travel gift baskets for those who stay at your client’s bed and breakfast inn. Be creative.