Pennsylvania, known maybe for certain products -- depending on opinion -- might seem like its retail scene is figured out. But a new kind of shopping trend is taking over, something totally different: mystery boxes. People all over the state can't seem to get enough of the suspense and the surprise delivery, it just seems to work.
The concept is pretty straightforward. Customers subscribe to a service or buy one-off boxes that contain a selection of themed items; it is not only snacks. However, they typically don't know what these things are ahead of time - the mystery: it draws people in with anticipation. Once it arrives it is like Christmas in some eyes, where there is some surprise and that makes people really happy! These boxes often show everything from locally sourced unique jewelry and cool toys to imported items you can’t just grab at the mall. It really seems to focus on a fun aspect and keeps people on their toes.
So, why Pennsylvania? There are a few driving factors coming into play. First, Pennsylvania has a diverse and interesting business culture: folks are proud of their products. From the rolling farmlands producing amazing raw materials to the bustling cities with their global connections, Pennsylvania has an open mind around trying new experiences and items. This actually provides great base opportunities for different types of mystery boxes.
The mystery element definitely is also a big part; there's something thrilling about getting something unexpectedly. It's a step away by putting trust into someone else that has better knowledge of that item or product. It pushes people to try new stuff they would normally avoid, and they find they really like it; which in turn, causes these services to gain even more business by word of mouth.
Several Pennsylvania-based companies stand out in the mystery box world. One example is "Pennsylvania People Provisions," -- which curates items to solely feature Pennsylvania-made goodness; it really hits home with the local theme. "Keystone Bites" focuses on the broader mid-Atlantic region and gives customers a taste of all local flavors; cheese from lancaster, maybe a new type of scrapple. They also send options to a large chunk of other states, such as Ohio, Delaware, and West Virginia.
Then there's "Philly Food Surprise," which makes an ode to the great city of Philadelphia and the snacks that live there. What makes all of these really special is that for the most part they really know what the consumers are asking for, or if these services are pretty new, they want to figure that out. These businesses focus on local, but some expand and go national; there's a lot of directions somebody could move in after solidifying themselves in all regions of Pennsylvania; it is really interesting to think about and view, from a business sense.
Online, the draw of getting something unexpected happens in a bunch of ways. Pennsylvania snack lovers might, for the fun of it, also explore other, non-food related mystery box options for a bit of suspense and see what pops up, such as HypeDrop.com, to discover that even getting clothing with unique aesthetics can be fun in our lives. After exploring so many brands of snacks to try everything once from the PA-based mystery snacks, sometimes you might want to try something even new. Either way, what's shown clearly is that people are interested in novelty and something unique; a new experience, if you will.
This sort of connects across many industries -- The element of surprise keeps things exciting no matter what arrives at the doorstep. But also ensures to have a solid rating, or the product may not be what it's advertised as.
The mystery snack box trend helps to give insight into local food industry futures. If managed right, it would be safe to assume the food-based industry is here to stay. People are seeking out experiences – they are seeking out and finding new foods without having to invest too much of their own time into finding it. Also, it helps the brands get the attention they deserve as Pennsylvania has many hidden gems, as well as a very rich history here. A lot of potential grows from here, as Pennsylvania businesses and locals figure out the industry as a whole. Pennsylvania’s local food industry future will likely include even more creative snack box options, personalized to dietary needs and taste preferences, that bring even more local delicacies together to show what Pennsylvania is about. Because that is usually what customers are looking for. They want to have pride.
With the snack box sector growing, some issues still persist such as food safety. Ensuring that these snack boxes have the necessary licenses and follow rules of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; this is very important because you do not want to give a person any sort of sickness issue with the food they are consuming. Supply chain logistics should also be important, especially for the companies that focus strictly on local goods. A business depends on their customer’s loyalty and trust, and without that, they will no longer be in business; keeping that relationship requires a lot of good things.
The local communities in Pennsylvania love the mystery snack box. From the thrill factor to their connection and assistance to local business and farms, to their unique local flavor. The snacks are popular and bring good tidings to new industries, along with potential and new relationships. If managed well, Pennsylvania holds a good future in the mystery snack business to serve people with a bit of fun.
