EXPORT SALES OF CHOCOLATE FEEL THE HEAT

       Mrs Flowers, manufacturer and distributor of home-made chocolates, expects its export sales to be flat or even down this year.
       Buyers in the US and Europe are delaying their orders during these tough economic times.
       Marketing manager Taras Sudhikam said the economic slowdown had affected chocolate consumption, especially in the US and some European markets.
       "This is a big concern, foreign buyers not ordering our chocolates due to the poor state of their economies. This has affected our exports, which are expected to be stagnant this year," he said.
       Taras said exports normally accounted for 60-65 per cent of Mrs Flowers' sales revenue, with foreign buyers placing orders in May or June for local availability in October and November.
       "But a lot of buyers are not placing orders this year until October and November, and it's quite difficult for us to deliver on time, due to our home-made system and principle of freshness," he said.
       Taras expects next year's exports to be flat or up slightly growth.
       He pointed out the company had achieved 80-90 per cent of its domestic sales target.
       "We have two months left in the year to boost our domestic sales, and it's our peak season, with individuals and corporate customers purchasing chocolates as gifts for friends and customers for New Year's," he said.
       Taras said that up to half of company sales were generated in the final two months of any given year.
       "That will allow us to achieve full-year growth of 5-10 per cent in domestic sales this year," he said.
       Mrs Flowers yesterday introduced its first-ever gift sets of chocolate and Thai snacks for the local market, targeted at individual and corporate customers alike. Prices range from Bt1,189 to Bt3,589.
       The company expects to sell as many as 5,000 gift sets by year-end.
       Mrs Flowers also announced a revamp of its business strategy to cope with the economic slowdown, which has affected overall chocolate consumption.
       "We set up a new subsidiary earlier this year named King Arthur. It delivers chocolates for use as ingredients to corporate customers like ice-cream manufacturers and bakeries," said Taras.
       He said the company also produced house-brand products for some retail clients, including Tops Supermarkets.