Afternoon Tea Delivery...what would be a good Introductory Offer for launching?

[Overseasmom100]

Looking at launching soon and want to do a WOW introductory promotion.

2 person tea is going to be £24
What do you suggest?

Someone who offers this near me gives it all in a nice (branded) reusable jute tote bag. That’s a nice touch and I’ve seen a few being used around in the supermarkets haha

I wouldn't order it based on the cherry scones. I detest them but love plain or fruit scones. I would rethink that part.

What would help make this stand out from many others is to package it really carefully and beautifully.

I saw a FB pic a few weeks ago of afternoon tea packed in those awful plastic tubs a take away comes in. With a crescent of tortilla chips on th side, which for some reason made it look really cheap and amateur.

I realise I'm being really picky

Agree a photo personalised card for a gift would be lovely. Bloom & Wild do this with their flower gifts for free and we did it for MIL birthday. She's put the picture (DD) in a frame.

The jute bag is a great idea too.

We are big fans of Afternoon Tea here and have ordered locally twice during lockdown for special occasions. Our favourite stands out because they always add fruit - lovely fresh strawberries, pineapple, melon etc and because they also put in a shot glass of something like a posset or mousse. They also have one fruit and one plain stone to suit everyone. They do sandwiches but also small rounds of baguette topped with Tuna Mayo or salmon. The extra touches make it a real treat.

The only downside for us is that hardly any does a child's portion do as a family of 3 it rarely works out without us either buying extra and having too much or having to add things ourselves. I'd definitely use someone offering a bit of flexibility with choices and sizes.

I cant imagine ever ordering afternoon tea, but love Cherry scones.

Strawberries and cream or chocolate dipped strawberries?

Most afternoon teas I've seen pictures of have too many, huge slabs of cake and not enough savoury stuff. It should be more delicate and 'refined'. I realise I sound like Hyacinth Bucket.

Is there a market for afternoon tea round you? My facebook has been full of ads for them for the last few months

I feel like there’s so many of these offerings that have appeared recently it’s hard to think of a really WOW promotion that I haven’t seen before. I agree with PP I don’t know anyone that likes cherry scones, so I’d offer plain or even cheese ones (maybe one of each-that’s something that would get my attention). For me I’d be looking for good quality locally sourced ingredients or even better handmade cakes that would stand out amongst the sea of cakes that look suspiciously close to Costco ones. Similarly decent vegetarian options for the sandwich-and the ability to have a mix of veggie and non veggie, I ordered one for my parents and me and it was either veggie or meat sandwiches so I went without so they could have meat. I can’t see you making much profit with Prosecco. Maybe some interesting herbal/fruit tea offerings.

How about adding a special offer in with the parcel that allows a discount on future orders?

Agree I like cherry scones but will there be an option for plain or fruit so you arent limiting your market?

Offer a free prize one - anyone who likes and shares the post enters the draw - or anyone who posts a pic of themselves enjoying it enters the draw. Or a cake stand.
Don't give an extra special one it will just make your normal offering look shabby.

I think catering to special diets such as gluten free or vegan would help stand you apart from your competitors.

I don't understand how this works, are they hand delivered? How is it packaged?

Just seems to me that a lot of what makes an afternoon tea a treat, e.g. nice surroundings, not making your own tea, nicely displayed, not having to tidy/wash up is all eliminated if doing it as a delivery.

Ideally there should be a variety of options for vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free etc. If you can’t cater for one person in a group then you lose the order for the entire group. A kids tea is essential too - parents won’t order if they can’t get a meal for their DC.

In terms of appealing to people: I’ve had themed afternoon tea in the past and really enjoyed it. Wizard Tea with popping candy and little potions. Gentlemans Tea with beef Yorkshire puds and whisky flavoured cake. American afternoon tea with pumpkin pie and peanut butter jelly sandwiches. Indian afternoon tea with samosas and mango jellies. Chocolate Factory tea with fizzy lifting drinks and snozzberry jam on scones. Nice packaging and little cards etc goes without saying.

Another cherry scone hater here, I think one plain and I fruit per person is better.
How about some lovely napkins like the ones they sell at National Trust shops?

I love afternoon tea but couldn't imagine it being delivered. Hotels etc are now open serving them so I think you have probably missed the opportunity for the general home market.

What about a tick box for orders so you can tailor to needs / wants, a list of available items with a set price for ordering a set number at customers choice so people who want plain scones can get what they like and the cherry scone lovers too, also savoury lovers could just order savoury. Love the cardboard cake stand idea too.

Lots of ideas for you to mull over OP.

Some great suggestions thank you