Olive Oil Shortages and their Effect on the Soap Industry

Master Certification Topical Report

Hello! And thank you for taking the time to help me on my Research project. My name is Jennifer Hofmann and I have been making soap since 2009. I own Jennifer’s Handmade Soap, am a board member of the local New England Chapter of the HSCG, and currently working on the Master Certification offered through the Guild. I’m working on the final aspect of this two year exam—my topical research paper. I’m looking at how oil shortages have affected the handcrafted soap industry and would very grateful and appreciative of your help. If you had a few moments to answer the following questions on your experiences with the shortages of olive oil it will help me greatly in writing this report.

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* 1. Where are you located (town, state)? And, how much do you sell a bar for (and what weight is your bar).

I will not publicly share this information, but to help me analyze the results I need the demographics of everyone surveyed. You must be located in the USA to complete this survey.

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* 2. In what category does your business’s gross sales currently fall? Note: This question is to help me identify how small, medium, and large handcrafted soap companies have been affected by price increases and make comparisons to see if all companies, no matter their size, are affected the same way.

Under $35,000

35,001 to $70,000

$70,001 to $100,000

$100,001 to $999,999

Over $1,000,000

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* 3. How did you deal with the increasing olive oil costs over the past five years? Check all that apply.

Increased bar price

reformulated recipe (using cheaper alternatives to olive oil/less olive oil)

Bought in Bulk

Try to take advantage of buying/picking up locally

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Can you comment on the order in which you implemented the changes in Question 3.

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* 5. If you reformulated with different oils, which did you change to?

Rice Bran Oil

Sunflower Oil

Canola Oil

Soybean Oil

Blend (Olive Oil and another oil)

Other (please specify)

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* 6. If you increased your bar price, by how much and how often did you increase the cost?

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* 7. Has the increase in olive oil costs caused you to change your supplier? Why?

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* 8. Do you feel your profit was affected by olive oil price increases over the past five years?

Yes, significantly.

Yes, but not significantly.

Barely, but I did feel some effect because of the increases.

No, not at all.

No, I work in a healthy margin into my pricing to help deal with the fluctuation of oil prices.

Other (please specify)

Olive Oil Shortages and their Effect on the Soap Industry

Master Certification Topical Report

Question Title

* 1. Where are you located (town, state)? And, how much do you sell a bar for (and what weight is your bar).

I will not publicly share this information, but to help me analyze the results I need the demographics of everyone surveyed. You must be located in the USA to complete this survey.

Question Title

Question Title

* 3. How did you deal with the increasing olive oil costs over the past five years? Check all that apply.

Question Title

* 4. Can you comment on the order in which you implemented the changes in Question 3.

Question Title

* 5. If you reformulated with different oils, which did you change to?

Question Title

* 6. If you increased your bar price, by how much and how often did you increase the cost?

Question Title

* 7. Has the increase in olive oil costs caused you to change your supplier? Why?

Question Title

* 8. Do you feel your profit was affected by olive oil price increases over the past five years?

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* 9. If you have any other thoughts/comments you'd like to share on how you feel your business was or wasn't affected I'd love to hear them.

Question Title

* 10. Have you worried about getting/using adulterated olive oil? And if so, what have you done about it?

Olive Oil Shortages and their Effect on the Soap Industry

Master Certification Topical Report

Question Title

* 1. Where are you located (town, state)? And, how much do you sell a bar for (and what weight is your bar).I will not publicly share this information, but to help me analyze the results I need the demographics of everyone surveyed. You must be located in the USA to complete this survey.

Question Title

Question Title

* 3. How did you deal with the increasing olive oil costs over the past five years? Check all that apply.

Question Title

* 4. Can you comment on the order in which you implemented the changes in Question 3.

Question Title

* 5. If you reformulated with different oils, which did you change to?

Question Title

* 6. If you increased your bar price, by how much and how often did you increase the cost?

Question Title

* 7. Has the increase in olive oil costs caused you to change your supplier? Why?

Question Title

* 8. Do you feel your profit was affected by olive oil price increases over the past five years?

Question Title

* 9. If you have any other thoughts/comments you'd like to share on how you feel your business was or wasn't affected I'd love to hear them.

Question Title

* 10. Have you worried about getting/using adulterated olive oil? And if so, what have you done about it?

* 1. Where are you located (town, state)? And, how much do you sell a bar for (and what weight is your bar).

I will not publicly share this information, but to help me analyze the results I need the demographics of everyone surveyed. You must be located in the USA to complete this survey.