Publix, Lakeland, Fla., long revered by customers for its baked goods, has been in the wedding cake business for decades, growing sales gradually, but has seen sales accelerate in the last three years, Maria Brous, Publix spokeswoman, said. “The Food Network and other TV shows geared around bakery offerings have left couples looking for customized options at a more reasonable price point,” Brous said. (Photo courtesy of Publix.)
Groom’s cakes are coming into fashion all over, too, industry sources said. Once just particular to the South, the idea has spread. (Photo courtesy of Rouses.)
Rouses Markets turns out a lot of groom’s cakes in shapes of everything from alligators to motorcycles. (Photo courtesy of Rouses.)
Supervalu stores have a standard set of designs, but they can all be customized, Supervalu spokesman Mike Siemienas pointed out. This cake retails for $600. (Photo courtesy of Supervalu.)
“The fact that we still do custom work is a niche we fill in the market,” said Chaya Conrad, Rouses’ bakery director. (Photo courtesy of Rouses.)
“In addition [to wedding cake sales], we’ve seen decadent dessert sales up … as brides and grooms try to customize their wedding with less traditional cakes and more unique creations, including dessert bars, mini cakes as table centerpieces, cupcake wedding cakes, etc,” Publix spokeswoman Brous said. (Photo courtesy of Publix.)