Woolworths says Chuckles is here to stay
South African retailer Woolworths says that its chocolate products, including the popular Chuckles brand, will continue to be available across the country, amid reports of the liquidation of a supplier chocolatier.
The Financial Mail reported this week that chocolatier Beyers Chocolates had entered liquidation proceedings following a dispute with Woolworths.
According to the report, the groups had clashed over Beyers Chocolates expanding its factory operations, putting an exclusivity agreement with Woolworths in jeopardy.
This reportedly led Woolworths to cut orders from the group, ultimately resulting in the chocolate-maker entering liquidation proceedings.
Beyers Chocolates supplies a host of products developed for major retailers, including Woolworths, Checkers and Pick n Pay.
“Many South Africans have been eating Beyers Chocolates for decades without even realising it,” it said.
More well-known brands manufactured by the group include the iconic Sweetie Pie and Amarula brand confectionery.
The group also offers an extensive range of sub-brands and private-label products supplied to airlines and the hospitality industry.
A key concern for Woolworths customers is that Beyers Chocolates was a supplier of many of the retailer’s confections, including the popular Chuckles brand.
The group supplied chocolate made from UTZ-certified cocoa to Woolworths, which the retailer proudly touted on its website.
Woolworths told BusinessTech that it could not comment on the nature of its relations with Beyers Chocolates due to confidentiality.
However, the group assured that its chocolate, including Chuckles, “is still the exceptional quality that our customers love and expect, and it is widely available across the country”.
The group gave no further indication of how the reported liquidation will affect the future makeup of products on its shelves or how many of its items could be affected.
Beyers Chocolates was founded in 1987 by Kees Beyers, a Belgian-born confectioner. The group also runs The Chocolate Factory in Bedfordview, Gauteng.
BusinessTech has reached out to Beyers Chocolates and Woolworths for further comment and clarity, and will add it if received.
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