Rosemary Mint Goat Milk Soap
I need your thoughts!
Rosemary mint is an all natural goat milk soap that I carry.
The soap contains rosemary and peppermint essential oils, along with very fine ground rosemary.
I love the soap, but it has not sold very well!
Last month I sold a number of bars to one person, and again this month to a different client.
Guess what? Rosemary mint goat milk soap is now out of stock. I will be making more.
I am also sold out of clean laundry fragranced soap. I made 2 batches last week to ensure I do not run out again.
I was discontinuing both products because they were not popular, they were not selling.
I said I would not discontinue a product without first announcing it. I will post the question/announcement here and on the newsletter before I discontinue a product. I do not care if soap sits for 6 months as long as enough people want to buy it. Goat milk soap, especially all natural soap, seems to get better with age. It continues to harden, and in most cases, such as a rosemary soap, it retains its fragrance.
I am bouncing my thoughts off on you, I need your feedback. If you were me (have fun with that prospect, ha), and you had a soap in stock for 6 months that did not sell, would you discontinue it, ask your customers, or simply make more of that type of soap once it sold out?
I thought I would get some fun answers from you!
Happy Monday!!!
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
Hmmm, since it keeps well, and also improves, I would make at least one more batch. Than announce that this is the last batch unless customers really want it.
You have such a lovely and varied selection that it is hard to choose . But also, since you do have so many, you will probably not lose any business if you do choose to discontinue making it.Good questions.
Sometimes too large of a selection blows up in a company’s face. Ha.
Good suggestion, Kathy. I will more than likely do that very thing.
Second Kathy B’s suggestion. Maybe you should let her be your business consultant! LOL! I know what you’re saying about having too many options, but I know you’re trying to have something special for Everybody! And that’s a nice thing!
Oh Vickie, Kathy would love that! Ha!
Actually, I am paring down to less than 30 options. And some of those will be limited as well.
I suppose you could always take special orders. Put a minimum amount on it, let people know it will take x amount of time. Money’s money! I’m a believer in never saying never. 🙂
I’ve enjoyed my share… I’ve been cutting my bars down in size, so I can try out different flavors faster. 🙂
Glad you are enjoying your soap, Lynnanne!
I would love to do more special orders for particular types. Discount for the volume would also be in line.
Hello … I’d run the numbers. Keep the products that sell well but let the slow movers run out. The time you spend on slow movers could be better spent making new products that are hot! With that said, if one of your slow movers is one of your favorites, keep making it. Maybe it just hasn’t caught on yet. Every product has it lifeline cycle. Well, except maybe lavender and olive oil. Silly exceptions.
Hello, Pat! I was just thinking about you this morning.
Running the numbers is exactly what I have done. And it works well…however…from time to time we must re-think, re-evaluate. And that is what I am doing now.
Let me know when you have more Rosemary Mint GMS. I think I may need that in my inventory.
🙂
Alix, I will do exactly that!
It’s so funny, that has happened to me with my Rosemary Mint also, but I have two customers that really likes it so I offer special orders to them. They buy the whole batch and it lasts them a long time. I don’t make it with goat’s milk though.
I am doing the same with the rosemary mint. Letting it be a special order for those that ask for it. Normally they want it in large quantities.
FYI…I made a double batch of rosemary mint goat milk soap tonight.
I will discount anyone that asks for soap in quantity, or pre-orders it as well!
Thank you to my new client, Susanne. I am overjoyed that you and your children love the soap!