Consumers have increased their spend on cakes and cream buns despite the cost-of-living crisis, according to one family-run business.
Stacey’s Bakery, which has stores in Ilkeston, Heanor and Eastwood, has reported “substantial increases” in sales of some of its popular sweet lines in the past year.
The business believes that its cakes, cream buns and other sweet treats are being seen as an affordable indulgence rather than a non-essential expenditure.
“Like most local businesses, we’ve been extremely conscious that our customers are facing big challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis,” said managing director David Stacey, adding that he attributed the sales boom to his bakery’s competitive pricing.
“The main feedback we seem to be getting currently is what good value we are. We’ve had lots of comments recently saying how much cheaper we are than other bakeries, which is always heartening.
He said that when workmen come in for a coffee and a cake they are often surprised at how cheap the products are.
Most sweet treats at Stacey’s are sold below £1, although cream cakes are over that price point due to cost increases on cream over the past year.
Despite this, the bakery is selling more of current bestselling cream cake the Alpine, which is a sweet bun filled with fresh cream and a blob of jam. It also reports that gingerbread sales have been strong, as have traditional favourites such as flapjacks, congress tarts and egg custards. Meanwhile, seasonal products have outstripped expectations.
“There’s always a demand for our mince pies,” said Stacey. “We have to make them throughout the year, even at the height of summer.
“While people may have scrimped on their energy usage at home and maybe been forced to postpone their annual holiday, there’s hopefully always room in the budget for a cake.”
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