Sugar Dot Surveys: Royal Icing Ingredient Brand Loyalty

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Welcome to Sugar Dot Surveys! Every other month or so, I post a survey to gather your input on a specific cookie or business topic. Once the survey ends, I compile the results and write a summary post here on Cookie Connection. (You can read my previous surveys and recaps here.)

There's so much that we can learn from each other!

Let's talk about royal icing ingredients. What are your favorite brands of meringue powder and powdered sugar? Are you brand-loyal - never deviating from that tried-and-true brand of sugar or meringue powder? Or do you shop by convenience, picking up whatever's available in whatever store you're in? Or are you looking for a bargain? If it's cheap or on sale, you'll take it. Do tell!

Please share this survey with your cookie friends so that we can get input from as many cookiers as possible! I plan to start compiling results in early March, shortly after CookieCon, so be sure to answer this survey by March 1. (Who knows? If these results turn out to be especially intriguing, I may ask the same questions about cookie ingredients in my next survey!)

ALSO:

(1) DUE TO THE PROPRIETARY NATURE OF SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS, WE WILL NOT MAKE SPECIFIC SURVEY RESULTS PUBLIC. YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE RECAP FOR RESULTS IN AGGREGATE FORM.
(2) PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY EVEN IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE US. YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION TO ADD THE BRANDS YOU USE IF YOU DON'T SEE THEM LISTED. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE!

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS (PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU TAKE THE SURVEY!)
(1) Open-ended (aka fill-in-the-blank or "Other") responses below are limited to 255 characters. If you run out of space on any question, feel free to elaborate in the comments area under this survey, but please identify the question (by number) to which you're responding.
(2) Unfortunately, our survey software will not allow you to skip questions. You must answer every one, or the system won't accept any of your responses. Choose the answer that best fits. Thanks!

Let's get started!

ADDENDUM (March 20, 2020): Read the recap article summarizing these survey results here.

Q1. What is your cookie status?

Note: If you make cookies for fun and give them away, you are a hobbyist. If you take money for cookies or any cookie-related activity (i.e., teaching, products, sponsorships, instructional videos, etc.), you are a professional.

Hobbyist

Professional

Q2. How long have you been participating in cookies in the capacity you indicated in Q1?

Less than 1 year

1 to 3 years

4 to 6 years

7 to 10 years

More than 10 years

Q3. What are your favorite/most often used brand(s) of powdered sugar (aka icing sugar or confectioner's sugar)?

Note: Select one or two brands only.

Domino

Imperial

Dixie Crystal

C & H Sugar

Local or regional grocery store brand (Safeway, Giant, Wegmans, etc.)

Warehouse store brand (Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, etc.)

I don't have a favorite brand (or brands) of powdered sugar.

Other

Q4: Why is the powdered sugar brand (or brands) you mentioned in Q3 your favorite or most often used brand?

Note: Write N/A if you said you don't have a favorite brand in Q3.

Your Opinion Required

Q5. Generally speaking, which statement below best characterizes your approach to buying powdered sugar?

I never switch brands. I'm loyal, always.

I have preferred brands, but I'll switch in a pinch.

I buy whatever is most convenient. I buy whatever is in the store where I'm shopping, or I shop online.

I buy whatever is most economical (least expensive or on sale).

Q6: Is there anything your favorite powdered sugar brand(s) could do to make you less likely to switch to other brands?

Note: Answer N/A if you indicated you never switch in Q5, or if you indicated you have no favorite powdered sugar brand(s) in Q3.

Your Opinion Required

Q7: Are there any brands of powdered sugar that you avoid? If so, list those brands below AND explain why you avoid them.

Note: Again, please be sure to explain why the brand (or brands) you listed are ones you avoid.

Your Opinion Required

Q9: Why is the meringue powder brand (or brands) you mentioned in Q8 your favorite or most often used brand?

Note: Write N/A if you said you don't have a favorite brand (or don't use meringue powder) in Q8.

Your Opinion Required

Q10: Generally speaking, which statement below best characterizes your approach to buying meringue powder?

I never switch brands. I'm loyal, always.

I have preferred brands, but I'll switch in a pinch.

I buy whatever is most convenient. I buy whatever is in the store where I'm shopping, or I shop online.

I buy whatever is most economical (least expensive or on sale).

I don't buy meringue powder.

Q11. Is there anything your favorite meringue powder brand(s) could do to make you less likely to switch to other brands?

Note: Answer N/A if you indicated you never switch in Q10, or if you indicated you have no favorite meringue powder brand(s) (or don't use meringue powder) in Q8.

Your Opinion Required

Q12: Are there any brands of meringue powder that you avoid? If so, list those brands below AND explain why you avoid them.

Note: Write "N/A" if you don't use meringue powder. And, if applicable, please be sure to explain why the brand (or brands) you listed are ones you avoid.

Your Opinion Required

Q13. Do you have any words of wisdom to share regarding icing ingredient brands?

Note: Please elaborate below about both powdered sugar and meringue powder brands, or write "N/A" if you have no additional tips or experiences with any brands to share.

Your Opinion Required

Q14. Do you have an ingredient photo that you would be willing to share with us - i.e., one that shows one or more brands?

Note: We would love photos to go with the recap of this survey! Take a photo of any of your icing ingredients mentioned in this survey. Please send your photo to Dotty through a private message here on Cookie Connection. Let Dotty know: (1) the photo description, (2) your first and last name, (3) your business name, if applicable, and (4) the link to one of your social media pages. (If it's a personal account, it must be public for us to view it.) Thanks!

To send a photo, just click on "Dotty" above in pink. That link will take you to her Cookie Connection profile. From there, you can send a private message.

If we receive a large number of photos, not all will be used. We do appreciate all submissions!

Yes, I'll send a photo through Cookie Connection.

No, sorry.

Q15: Sorry, one last question! Do you live outside of the United States?

Yes

Posted by SugarDotCookies · 2/6/2012:22 AM