Bulk Gum and Candy Sources

[Mike4]

Sam's Club is having issues getting gumballs now. They have completely got rid of all the other bulk candies they were carrying through their website.

Looks like they have kicked the bulk vendors to the curb. Where is everyone looking to buy product now? Has anyone checked vistar? 

 

Mike

[gumball guy]

13 minutes ago, Mike4 said:

Sam's Club is having issues getting gumballs now. They have completely got rid of all the other bulk candies they were carrying through their website.

Looks like they have kicked the bulk vendors to the curb. Where is everyone looking to buy product now? Has anyone checked vistar? 

 

Mike

Yes...it looks like Sam's Club has exited the bulk candy world (other than loss leaders such as M&Ms and Reece's Pieces) so the days of cheap bulk candy with free shipping are long gone. There are some Sam's Club locations that still have product for pick up only but good luck finding out if that is new product or they are just exhausting their existing warehouse supply. I have seen Sam's Club do this before with Dubble Bubble a couple of years ago but NO ONE there knew what was going on then all of a sudden it was back in stores. Hopefully that happens again. They still have jars of Skittles occasionally too. I have never used Vistar because there are none close to my geographic location. I also have a small, independent wholesaler in my area that has been a lifesaver for my business but he has had the same issues as everyone else in getting product.

A couple of websites to try:

Gumballstuff.com The Owner is a member here and I have bought lots of equipment and product from him in the past.

https://www.gumballstuff.com/gum-and-candy/

A & A Global

https://www.aaglobal.com/topc-bulk-candy-gum/all-candy-gum.asp

Gumballs.com

https://www.gumballs.com/bulk-candy.html

Bottom line.....Prices are up, variety is down and I don't see it getting better any time soon. Many manufactures are pivoting away from bulk simply because it isn't nearly as profitable as their retail lines. Bulk vending continues to head into choppy waters but somehow my sales have remained pretty strong even with the pandemic. I really focus on getting into blue collar locations and demographics where cash is still king. Unfortunately none of that will matter if I can't get product or if it's too expensive to turn a profit.

[NYCandyMaN]

DONT BE CHEAP, PREPARE AHEAD, $50/BOX PLUS SHIPPING  

10 CASE MINIMUM!

Edited February 10, 2022 by NYCandyMaN

[gumball guy]

14 hours ago, Mike4 said:

Sam's Club is having issues getting gumballs now. They have completely got rid of all the other bulk candies they were carrying through their website.

Looks like they have kicked the bulk vendors to the curb. Where is everyone looking to buy product now? Has anyone checked vistar? 

 

Mike

I reached out to Sam's Club via their customer chat feature on the website in regards to the issue with the Dubble Bubble gumballs. They told me that they still carry the 850's but their "buying department is requesting a very low amount of those". She said that they have orders scheduled to come in on 2/14/22 & 2/18/22. Her stellar advice was to monitor the website and act quickly because it's first come first served and they won't have much coming in. So as usual for Sam's Club, no real help. I sent an email to Tootsie/Concord Confections to see if they can shed any light on where the best places are to get their bulk gumballs and candy. If I hear back from them I will pass it on.