As you all may or may not know, Campbell's Soup owns upscale chocolate brand Godiva, and it's put it up for auction. The most likely buyers are Starbucks or Hershey. Either buy would be interesting for the chocolate marketplace. ("Starbucks Craves Godiva's Delights," WSJ, Nv 2, 07)
In the case of Starbucks buying the chocolate maker, I think it would lead to a revival of chocolate-house culture. Although its own chocolate drink Chantico didn't succeed -- in part because customers are used to customizing their own drinks ("Starbucks Cuts out Chocolate Drink," USAT, Feb 10, 06) -- having a more well-rounded line of chocolate products allows Starbucks to capture a still-growing masstige market and give shoppers the sense of customization.
If Hershey's buys it, that's just more proof that they're consolidating their position as a leading luxury chocolate maker. They've been on a buying streak before -- see this earlier entry and the New Yorker's Oct 29, 07 "Extreme Chocolate," which talks about the Green & Black deal.
Speaking of Hershey's, I have vowed not to hit the mint miniatures until after Thanksgiving. O, sweet waiting!
I had a mint minature today (well, four). They were in the office candy dish and I could not resist. Totally delicious.
Posted by: Brenda | 2007.11.19 at 15:33
I KNOW.
I bought three bags last night (they were on sale, 3 @ $5). And I have currently hidden them in my garage so I won't touch them until after Thanksgiving.
However, I am a real freak because I sort the miniatures out by color and hoard the milk chocolate ones. My niece, who prefers white chocolate to any other flavor, was the happy recipient of five bags' worth of white chocolate miniatures last year.
Posted by: Lisa S. | 2007.11.19 at 16:23
There is nothing weird about soring by color. White chocolate is gross.
Posted by: Brenda | 2007.11.20 at 09:28
Wait, you mean people don't sort them? Who are these people?
The white chocolate ones would be okay if they didn't have the "festive" sprinkles in them. Blech.
Also, I had a "mint truffle" Hershey's kiss the other day and it was delicious. I may have to switch my minty allegiance to them from the miniatures.
Posted by: Nomie | 2007.11.21 at 05:22