We all recognize Pick n Mix when we are able to see it. Although the stands aren’t found in as many stores as they once were but there’s some history behind this method of choosing as well as selling confections.
In actual fact, we’re going all the way to 1886.
America 1886…
A American businessman by the name of Frank Woolworth (yep, Mr Woolworths himself) owned a line of 5 and 10 cent shops. One day, he thought of an original idea of selling sweets, but with a different approach. He chose to sell sweets based on the weight placed on top of the customers.
Nowadays, it’s not something that’s really new. However, in the early 1900’s, the poisoning of sugary sweets that were cheap was regular (no food hygiene standards at the time!). This is the reason why people were more likely to purchase the sweets they wanted from stores because they could be assured that the store’s management was able to verify the ingredients in sweets as well as the method by which they were produced.
However, that didn’t stop Frank. He did his research and he researched. In search of confectioners who would be able to deal directly with him instead of via the wholesaler. He also recognized the issues regarding hygiene that his customers believed in. To counter this, his shops and counters were covered with warnings that they were hygienically produced by his factory.
…And It worked!
Customers were thrilled with the new method to purchase their sweets. Woolworths became the preferred shop for sweets that are loose by weight. The store remained at the top of the list for a long time. This was just the beginning.
…And cheaper!
The price of one quarter of sweets the time was about 25 cents. Woolworths was determined to cut this price to 5 cents per item for its stores. This way it would bring enjoying the pleasure in sweets (or candy, as Americans refer to it) in the cost range of the average middle class citizen.
Everyone thought he was insane! This includes his own team…
This didn’t stop him. …. We are so happy that it did not. What is the world we would be living in today without the pleasures of Pick n Mix sweet mixups.
Woolworths went all-out…
While ignoring any criticisms and was a bit of these, he plodded forward with his dream. He found a company who was astonished by the massive quantity he was willing to buy in a single transaction as well as the entire amount upfront.
Frank created his own sweet counters. They were designed by Frank much like those counters that are found in Macey’s department stores featuring many mahogany wooden pieces as well as shiny display frames, and tall displays of sweets.
Everything was done in the strictest of secrecy. The counters and display cases were covered up until an hour prior to the big opening.
…And the experiment worked!
Oh, how it worked! Massively! In the first few minutes of opening, shops were filled with people who were awestruck by the variety of options available and the amazing price that virtually everyone could manage to. The plant that produced the sweets needed to introduce a the night shift for employees. Soon, it was operating in full production all hours of every day!
Pick and Mix sweets was made…
Rivals of Woolworths critics, critics and “expert” critiques, were stunned. They looked up and were astonished of his expanding business and the wealth. Soon after, rivals adopted the same method of selling in a loose manner of selling sweets.
This method was also followed in a similar fashion, largely unchanged, throughout North America and Europe, particularly Britain throughout the following 75 years.
1909 British 1909, British n Mix…
So that’s the background that one person’s idea of how sweets will evolve in the near future. Let’s take a look at Britain and UK sweet market in greater depth.
Now we will jump to a warm and sunny year in 1909. It’s only 23 years ago, after his “crazy and absurd idea” that he wanted to find stores in the UK. The suppliers in Britain weren’t prepared for the magnitude of order he put in. In the beginning, Woolworths was importing stock in large quantities from America to stock the store in Church Street, Liverpool.
In the spring of next year, British manufacturers came into the picture. The counters of the stores were filled with an array of the most popular chocolates, boiled sweets , and Everton Mints. In the past one quarter pound of Pick n Mix (113g) was worth 2 old cents. In modern times, that would be about 6.55p per kilogram. (Sorry we’re trying to keep prices low – but it’s just not feasible now! ).
… and us Brits enjoyed it!
The customers were amazed by the variety of sweets available. The number of candy that was able to be packed into bags was staggering. In 1930 Woolworths is the leading sweet shop within Britain & Ireland. They were the leading shop in the UK market until the time they were part of the High Street.
In the past, they have added an increasing number of sweets into the selection and also expanded the range of Chocolate bars and Ice Creams.
Pick and Mix was the name given to it…
Customers had been giving the sweet service the nickname for a long time. It wasn’t until the middle of 1950’s that Woolworths acknowledged this. Prior to that, they labeled the items “Weigh-out Desserts”.
They adopted the name for their sweets and even made it a name of its own. Pick n Mix was now an official thing! Oh , yes!
…it was growing and growing ….
The range of sweets expanded. The size of stores increased. The number of stores that were part of the Woolworth empire increased (Massively). By 1930, Woolworth’s the stores had huge counters however, even these had to be replenished a few times per every day.
Chocolate bars and sweets that were pre-packed like those made by Cadbury’s, became popular but not as much of the selections of loose sweets.
In 1939, Woolworth’s was untouchable. The company had established an unbeatable dominance over the confectionery market across the UK.
A year later… the shops were closed as Britain was in War and coupons for rations had been issued. Factories were working hard to support the war effort, and thousands of brave men were scattered across Europe fighting for our freedoms.
However, the British won. And so did Woolworths!
They continued to trade as the best they could. Even during war, we Brits were still in need of sweets. Government Rations were utilized to distribute sweets quite. Ration coupons that were not official were also utilized in many shops. The elderly, especially pensioners, would give extra coupons for rations to store staff and ask they be kept to be used by the “little children”. It was so nice! They offered their tokens to ensure that children of all ages wouldn’t be denied access to the candy counters.
The 1950’s: The Beginning of a New Era…
Okay, now that we have the history lesson over with. We now move on to post-war Britain. to the 1950’s. An era of optimism and new beginnings.
The most Pick n Mix sweets and sweets, in general, that are in high demand and readily identifiable in the present, are a result of this exciting time.
The brands were changed, the stores changed and consumer preferences and willingness to explore the “new” increased.
And the world of retail changed. Inspired by the stores of America The personal Service way of selling was to be eliminated.
Instead, the customers would get a an unlimited selection in Pick n Mix sweets from “self-service” stands. Oh my! What a scene this must have been first time.
Large brands also became commonplace with the introduction of new models and the reduction of prices. People of the working class could get pleasure from treats which were once an expensive product. Some of the most popular brands include Cadburys, Mars, M&M’s, Rowntrees and Nestle become the most popular items.
It worked!
This self-serve format of Pick n Mix stands stayed in the High Street for decades to the future.
Then, leap into 2022.
Let’s relive the good times of the Pick n Mix from Woolies. However, without the necessity of stores. Customers don’t have to leave the home!
This is the way sweets online delivery was born.
Customers can make their individual Custom Pick n Mix sweets mix-up, and then deliver it directly to their doorstep.
Anywhere in the UK within a few days using Royal Mail.
You can even get it next day through Royal Mail 24 if you’ve been craving a sweet treat to ease your mind.
