The Girl Scout Cookie economy is substantial. I’m still looking for data but it appears to be an economy of …. get this … about seven hundred million dollars annually. Given that they are only selling the boxes for a week or so per year I think we may want to cut GSA loose on ideas for balancing the federal budget by increasing cookie sales.
At $3-5 per box I was concerned that the cookie company might be exploiting the Girl Scouts because cookie sales to people, as economists like to say, have fairly inelastic pricing that is not really subject to market conditions. You pay what they charge and consider it a good deed. Obviously the cookies don’t cost much to produce based on market driven pricing for similar products at the supermarket.
But it appears the baker generally gets under $1 per box and the rest goes to the very good cause of GSA as I learned from this great breakdown on the Lac Baie Girl Scouts website.
Cost per box at this council: 3.50
Cookie Company–85¢
Troop–48¢ – 65¢
-day and overnight trips
-service projects
-camping events
-special programs and activities
Incentives–22¢
Support Services to all Troops/Girls–$1.87
-Financial assistance for girls
-Subsidize council sponsored program events and activities
-Adult volunteer and older girl trainings
-Outdoor education, camping and programs
-Maintenance of two camps and a program center
-Membership publications
-Travel opportunities for girls and adults
I also learned that each council sets their price and negotiates independently with the baker. Not sure why though. Here in Southern Oregon $4 gets you a box.
Therefore – you can feel comfortable buying more Girl Scout Cookies!
Disclaimer: We have a scout in the house
Joe Duck 
Joe I was just thinking about this the other. On the way out of our local supermarket they have their tables set up and of course we several boxes every year.
My wife and I were discussing the financials behind the GS cookie business…thanks for the info! You answered some questions for us.
I was stunned by the total sales. This is a really big business! Did you see the CNN report where the guy was reselling the cookies at his mini-mart gas station at a $1 markup? Talk about bad press for your biz!
Mmm… Tagalongs and Trefoils and Samoas and Thin Mints. I had a blast selling Girl Scout cookies back in the day, and they are so yummy that they practically sell themselves. I think that is part of the secret – since they are available only once a year, when I do see a table set up in front of the grocery store I probably buy more boxes in one day than I would if they were something on the shelf year-round because they are yummy, special and in limited supply. Well, that and since they are for a good cause, some of the calories are actually removed in the process of donating.
Very interesting, Joe. I knew it helped, but I had no idea it was quite *that* effective.
THIS IS JUST LIKE AMWAY!! DO YOU HEAR ME!!?!?! MOST OF THE MONEY MADE IS SENT UP TO PAY A BUNCH OF WALLSTREET FATCATS!!!!!
Вечер добрый. У меня имеется вопрос по поводу контекстной рекламы у Вас на сайте. Вам не приходилось сталкиваться со случаями блокировки аккаунта администрацией гугла за как бы “накрутку”? Как защитить себя в этом случае?