Gourmet Catalog Offers Updated eNewsletter to Members

Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group has developed and launched a new eNewsletter for store members to use as marketing collateral twice monthly, with the subscriber base growing 167 percent since July.  

The GC eNewsletter facilitates effective and consistent communication from the store to the consumer, allowing stores to distribute informative and useful information that highlights product lines in an appealing and engaging style.

“Beautifully styled with fun tidbits and creative ideas, the recipes in Gourmet Catalog’s eNewsletter are well received and appreciated by our customers,” said Julia Strzesieski of Cole Hardware in San Francisco.

Content for the eNewsletter is derived in-house by Emilie Bell.  Bell, author of the Scarborough Food Fair blog, has a passion for food, cooking, baking, gadgets, kitchens and all related subjects. Each of her posts supports personally crafted content, photography and graphics. Extensive time is spent researching and developing each theme, resulting in a compelling newsletter for everyone who enjoys preparing a homemade meal.

“The profound amount of time I have spent experimenting in the kitchen has led me to take an inventive and adaptive approach to each recipe, resulting in exciting new twists on traditional plates I am proud to share,” said Bell.

Two eNewsletters are distributed the first and third Friday of each month. The first one focuses on a seasonal ingredient, and the next is thematic, revolving around that month’s holiday or ideal activity. Themes for November newsletters include “Turkey Time” and “Entertaining with Ease”. Each eNewsletter consists of four featured recipes, tips and tricks, featured products and amusing facts.

Store members are able to request customize features such as logo, contact information, store hours, social media accounts, in store specials, current promotions, cooking class schedule, personal notes, email signature, as well as color themes to match the store’s logo and website.  Stores also have the opportunity to select the featured products depending on what product lines are carried.

After the personalized eNewsletter is complete, Gourmet Catalog services stores by posting the newsletter to each individual store’s email marketing account, as well as any social media accounts selected by the store. 

“What I love about the Gourmet Catalog newsletter is that it is visually appealing, informative, colorful and captivates my audience, not just a lot of typeset. The recipes are amazing and the layout keeps me interested in reading,” said Suzanne Kipfer, co-owner of Simple Tidings & Kitchen in Sumner, Wash.  “The best part of the newsletter is that while I am busy running my store, GC sends the newsletter for me, keeping my store in the minds of my customers and making me look like a social media pro.” 

Through issuing an eNewsletter, stores are able to contribute desired and interesting content to customers without the pressure of a sale, providing immense value and strengthening customer loyalty.   The key result of building relationships with clients is increased traffic and revenue for the store.

“In many ways, GC’s updated eNewsletter is an inspirational piece, reminding readers that although cooking represents vast history and tradition, it is ever evolving, offering new techniques and methods,” said Janis Johnson, president and founder of Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group.  “This publication is intended to excite and motivate customers to attempt recipes never tried, with tools never used, and therefore, visiting a local kitchenware store.”  

Celebrating 35 years in 2016, Gourmet Catalog works to ensure the success of independent retailers with a variety of programs and services, including discounts provided by 200 plus vendor members.