Back to the grind – and blaming the weather…
After the disruption of Easter and the royal wedding in the UK, most things are settling back into the normal grind of everyday life. Hence, I have a bumper newsletter for you as companies are suddenly releasing trading statements, introducing new products and announcing new business ventures galore.
One of the particularly interesting came yesterday when Thorntons blamed the hot weather for a severe slump in Easter chocolate sales (they also blamed the snow for bad Christmas sales – hmmm I sense a pattern here).
For sure, people may have bought more ice creams than chocolate eggs but I think, as new boss Jonathan Hart has already said, that the company needs to take a hard look at the overall proposition going forward. I think closures are almost inevitable and hope they manage to turn things around so they won’t have to resort to excuses. I know the tendency to blame the weather is a very British trait but still….
All the best,
Katrine Kjoeller, Editor
Sweets & Snacks Europe
