Chocolatier Godiva plans to open stores in Australia with more than ten stores in the works over the medium term, according to an Australian Financial Review ‘Street Talk’ report.
Part of Ulker Group, which is owned by Turkish giant Yildiz Holding, Godiva looks set to open its first store and cafe in Melbourne in the Victorian capital’s Emporium shopping district, before the year is finished.
No other news has been supplied on further openings, locations and dates, as yet.
Currently, Godiva chocolates are already sold in Australia via luxury department store David Jones from its premium food courts.
Once operational, Godiva will have to compete with Max Brenner, Guylian cafes and Haigh’s Chocolates for Australian market share, as well as the well-known Lindt chocolate stores and cafes located in major cities.
The move comes at an unpredictable time in Australian retail. In July and August 2017, latest data showed retail sales had their biggest two-month decline in seven years as debt-soaked consumers took a break from restaurants, cafes and food shopping during two-month period.
It’s not the first time the luxury chocolate maker tried to woo the tastes of the Australian market. In 2009, Godiva tried to open its first Australian store in Sydney International Airport, but failed and had to close shop.
Godiva currently owns and operates more than 450 boutiques and shops worldwide in more than 80 countries.