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Online chocolatiers haven't found cheap ways to keep confections cool
SHIPPING chocolate and other temperature-sensitive confections is proving troublesome as online shopping demand rises, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Chocolate makers are struggling to find a way to ship small packages cheaply. But unlike reefer trucks, confectioners must ship smaller items in costly bulky boxes to avoid meltdown.
Thus, a US$4.25 bag of Hershey kisses can cost $20.20 after shipping, expedition and a foam cooler with liquid ice packs are factored in.
And while online sales of chocolate are increasing, chocolate companies concede pricing remains a top concern while packaging firms are trying to develop a solution to meet the industry's needs for cold, yet slim, packages.
Valentines and Easter have come and gone, but they will be back. Confectioners wish to remain price competitive and retain more of the $17.3 billion Americans spend on Easter.
But consumers also indicated they are far more likely to shop online for their Easter goods, with as many as 21.4 per cent saying they plan to shop online, according to a National Retail Federation survey.
Online shopping for Easter only accounted for 11.1% of spending in 2008.
Chocolate sales are still a growth driver in the food aisle, up 24 per cent over a five-year period ending in 2014 to total $21 billion in the US. The market is expected to reach $25 billion by 2019.
Chocolate makers are struggling to find a way to ship small packages cheaply. But unlike reefer trucks, confectioners must ship smaller items in costly bulky boxes to avoid meltdown.
Thus, a US$4.25 bag of Hershey kisses can cost $20.20 after shipping, expedition and a foam cooler with liquid ice packs are factored in.
And while online sales of chocolate are increasing, chocolate companies concede pricing remains a top concern while packaging firms are trying to develop a solution to meet the industry's needs for cold, yet slim, packages.
Valentines and Easter have come and gone, but they will be back. Confectioners wish to remain price competitive and retain more of the $17.3 billion Americans spend on Easter.
But consumers also indicated they are far more likely to shop online for their Easter goods, with as many as 21.4 per cent saying they plan to shop online, according to a National Retail Federation survey.
Online shopping for Easter only accounted for 11.1% of spending in 2008.
Chocolate sales are still a growth driver in the food aisle, up 24 per cent over a five-year period ending in 2014 to total $21 billion in the US. The market is expected to reach $25 billion by 2019.
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