You should be able to make between $25K – $50K per year as a candle producer. As a candle producer, you can also increase your profit by appealing to resellers who can buy your merchandise in bulk. These will include store owners in your local area or beyond. You might meet such customers at arts and crafts trade shows.
According to industry reports, customers are increasingly buying candles for their home décor, and for aromatherapy-like stress reduction and relaxation. Note that the ease of purchase as well as the availability of various types of candles on multiple distribution channels is prompting more and more people to buy these products.
Reports also have it that proliferation in the number of distribution channels has further helped the sales through department, mass merchandise retailers and home décor stores. In the United States, supermarkets and hypermarkets are benefiting due to their discounted prices and various offers particularly attracting more and more buyers.
What Types of Candles are Most Profitable to Sell?
The growing popularity of e-commerce has actively increased candle sales. The ease of purchase as well as the availability of extensive information and reviews on products online is prompting more and more individuals to buy these products.
One of the very crucial things to consider when looking to produce and sell candles in the United States is the types of candles you will eventually stock in your inventory. For the candle producers, the possibilities are endless as most large online suppliers stock everything under the sun.
Will you concentrate on only one or two types – or offer a wide variety of shapes, materials, and scents? Will you make specialty candles such as hand-dipped, hand rolled, sand candles and gel? Will you carry some of the more exotic materials such as bees-wax and soy? How many different scents will you offer? There is a lot of choice.
However, the money you can expect to make will vary greatly from person to person. If you put your heart and energy into it by working hard and running it as a proper business, you should be able to make between 25K and 50K per year. Nonetheless, there is no reason that you will not eventually hire staff and expand your market. The sky is without doubts your limit in this business.
How Much Money Candle Producers Make Yearly?
First and foremost, note that candle producers in the United States sell candles either directly to consumers, or indirectly through resellers, such as boutiques, gift shops and other arts and crafts retail venues. Candle production is a very general field, so the Profit Margin will differ on the kinds of candles you sell (pillar, floating, votive, tea, etc.), or through the quality of your offering.
Irrespective of the type or make-up of the candle you produce, your candles might sell for as little as a few dollars apiece or as much as $20 or more. Note that your pricing will depend on the quality and breadth of your product line, your audience, marketing strategy and competition.
For instance, if your strategy is to be the lowest seller, make sure you’re getting your raw materials at very competitive prices and that you know exactly what your competitors are charging at all times. You’ll probably want to buy wax, wicks, colouring agents, scents and other materials in bulk, to take advantage of maximum per-unit savings.
But if your aim is to sell a more premium product line, price is of less concern as long as your products stand out aesthetically in quality and in name. Note that you will also want to consider deep discounts on pricing if you find a retail reseller who can move a lot of your merchandise.
What is the Profit Margin on a Single Candle?
Profit margins of 50 percent or higher are very possible on a single candle in the United States market, especially since the cost of materials is not particularly high, but it is advisable to invest the time required to make your business profitable.
Most times a 40-60 percent margin gives room for both the candle producer and the retailing group to make money and generate good profits. If a large enough order comes in, you might want to give further discounts.
In addition, one of the most important things to consider when developing your cost is what the competition is doing. Note that the important distinction in this process is to determine what truly constitutes a competitor. In most cases in the United States, the candles being sold in grocery stores are not always a competitor because the candle could be of a different quality.
The brand name candle company may not be a competitor, because they have the ability to charge more for the name. You need to determine your target market and review the pricing of the candles being sold to those markets. Once you have your pricing established, be sure to review often as your operating cost may increase/decrease or your competition might be doing something which is taking away sales.
Conclusion
In this business, once you have mastered the basics of candle making, consider branching out in the types of products you offer. For example, you can grow cost and profit potential by learning how to mould or carve candles to any shape. Or start marketing fancy oil lamps using liquid candles.
You should also consider such associated sensory products as scented soaps and incense. You can also learn how to make these additions to your growing product line, or find out where to buy them for resale. If you also have a studio with adequate space, consider offering candle making classes.