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General Information:
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While direct sales and/or pre order sales account for approximately 70%
of sales, booth sales contribute approximately 30% of sales for
Troops/Groups.
- Troops/Groups are encouraged to develop effective marketing strategies,
tools, resources and props to use at scheduled sales. Some great posters
and use of the GOAL POSTER provided in the sales materials certainly
draw the attention of the public. For
more ideas and PR sample materials, contact our Volunteer Resource
Center.
- Girl Scouts of Central Maryland provides a variety of marketing tools,
posters and other pieces to use during the sale. Check out your
Troop/Group packet of materials and/or contact our Volunteer Resource
Center for more information.
- Make sure that whatever approach taken, whether posters, signs or other
materials are attractive and specifically show the Troop/Group goal.
What is the goal? Where are you in reaching the goal? Customers
certainly want to know why you are selling Girl Scout cookies so TELL
them!
- Girl Scouts of Central Maryland has COOKIE COSTUMES available for loan.
Be sure to contact the Volunteer Resource Center to reserve costumes for
booth sales. They are great visuals and attract customers.
- Uniforms and/or Girl Scout clothing is always appropriate! Again,
visibility of the organization is a key element in a successful booth
sale. Also, manners are certainly a key!
- Be sure to track your sales at each booth sale to determine the
effectiveness for future planning.
- Be sure to keep track of all monies and have an adult responsible for
removing money from the location frequently. This is very important
since the safety of girls and adults must always be in the forefront of
our thoughts. Be sure to follow Safety-Wise guidelines.
- Preparation is another essential key in a successful booth sale. Be sure
to train girls properly on selling techniques, role playing is a great
way to prepare girls for this experience.
- Be sure to have enough girls scheduled to rotate, keeping them busy and
interested makes a difference! Three or four girls and two adults is the
recommended number Troops/Groups should strive for when manning a booth.
- Be sure to set up, plan for tables/chairs and anything else needed for
your location. Remember to always leave your location better than you
found it!
- NEVER argue over locations, be sure to follow the process in your
community for securing a site. Be sure to take your authorized booth
sale permission slip in the event a situation occurs! Remember, as an
adult you are a role model for girls - handle situations calmly and
professionally at all times. Keep in mind that store managers do not
want to become involved in disputes. Following the guidelines and
procedures in your community will certainly make a difference.
 Suggested
Booth Sale Locations:
- Shopping Malls
- Strip Malls and Shopping
Centers
- Post Offices
- College Campuses
- Banks (especially round the
first of the month)
- Movie Theaters
- Sporting Events
- Bowling Alleys (be sure to find
out league times)
- Bingo Halls
- Skating Rinks
- Local Businesses (this is
particularly a good idea for Cadette & Senior Troops/Groups -
have the girls approach the business owner/manager to distribute
cookie order forms and schedule drop off times and/or schedule a
booth to set up in their cafeteria or toward the end of the business
day)
- Libraries
- Churches/places of worship (be
sure to have the church post sale dates/times in their bulletin)
- Supermarkets
- Video Stores
- Superstores/Discount Stores
(Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Target, etc.)
- Craft Stores
- Apartment Complexes
- Retirement Centers
- Beauty Shops
- Dry Cleaners
- Toy Stores
- Drug Stores
- Hardware Stores
Don't forget, the list goes on and on .... be creative and canvas
your community for locations that you feel would be successful for
your Troop/Group. Always keep in mind that safety is of the utmost
importance, you must always follow Safety Wise Guidelines and have
parental permission for girls participating in booth sales.
Have fun!
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