For Seller

By: Don Stevens

Scented candles will always be around. Long ago a candle shop, online or brick and mortar, didn’t exist, a person could buy candles from a local general store, along with other groceries, or candles were found in a gift store tucked away in a corner, next to other knick-knacks. In this age, however, we can find a store dedicated to candles in our local mall. Even candle shops are popping up in small towns, or big cities on busy corners. It would only be a matter of time before they captured the internet revolution. Now there are many online candle websites that feature all types of waxes, wicks, scents and colors. Could the candle business be in danger of losing its punch? It’s craftiness? Or it’s power?

Hardly. Candle Sales are rising, whether in a store or online, they can’t be ignored. There are many reasons why. Home scenting is a major interest right now. With all those home improvement or decorating shows on TV, the public is now aware of their living environments. People were always aware of their home, they now discovered that they could make their living room, bedrooms, or kitchens a better place to be. With a small budget one can re-do a small room, and this is where candles come into place. Replacing that old couch with a bright colored futon, or repainting a the living room in bamboo or wheat is the major expense, but adding that special touch with a couple of matching pillars, or scented jar candles that match the decor completes the renovation.

Candles also make great gifts for the person you don’t quite know well. Can’t find that gift for Aunt Sue in Dallas? Send a candle online. How about your mother-in-law in Kansas? A candle will work just fine. And what a bonus if you know your gift recipient’s favorite scent? This gift will show that you gave it some thought.

Online stores are picking up in general, whether clothing, shoes, or gifts, so candles would naturally follow the trend. Finding the company that you like, and would use again, is something shoppers must learn themselves. There are many online candle stores to choose from, some are just online stores, and others have an actual building that is open to the public. Have fun choosing your store, ask questions by chatting online, or by telephone, find out what are their shipping options, and whether there is a frequent shopper discount. Many will have mailing lists that will notify customers of new scents, sales, or promotions that will make future purchases easier by saving time.

And time is what you will be saving by shopping for candles online.

Don Stevens is a consumer writer and co-owner of Wick-edly Sent, a scented candles online shop in the heart of historic Canandaigua, in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.