The coronavirus pandemic has seen many businesses reevaluate their business plans to reinforce and stay afloat during the uncertainty during lockdowns. We have seen the growth of online and delivery services, and innovative digital transformations which has offered customers a new way of shopping. Thorntons recently released a statement on its website, giving its customers further information on its plans for the business. It said:
“Dear Customers,
We wanted to share an important update with you all relating to our Thorntons retail stores.
Like many companies, we have been operating for a long time in a tough and challenging retail environment. We have been committed to transforming and growing a successful Thorntons retail estate; this has included significant investments to open new format stores and cafes and ensuring we had stores in the right locations.
However, changing dynamics of the high street, shifting customer behaviour to online, the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and the numerous lockdown restrictions over the last year – especially during our key trading periods at Easter and Christmas – has meant we have been operating in the most challenging circumstances.
Unfortunately like many other retailers, the obstacles we have faced and will continue to face on the high street are too severe. Despite our best efforts we have taken the difficult decision to go into full consultation to start the permanent closure of our retail store estate. We understand that this will be an uncertain and concerning time for our colleagues and we will actively support them during this period.
As customers continue to change the way they shop, we must change with them. We have seen a strong growth in Thorntons.co.uk and this will remain a key focus for us in continuing to provide you with your favourite Thorntons ranges, including our unique personalisation offering. In addition, we continue to invest in building our brand with our existing franchise partners on the high street and our grocery partners in supermarkets in order to meet the demand from our loyal customers.
We remain committed to our iconic Thorntons brand and will continue to invest further in the future potential to ensure we evolve with the times.
We would like to thank you for your continued support.”
Image credit: Cadbury
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Media contact
Kiran Grewal
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: editor@in-confectionery.com
