By Valerie Hernandez
Jan 25, 2021
The coronavirus pandemic has affected so many businesses and the latest business being affected is Godiva chocolate. The Belgian chocolate company announced that it sell or close all of its 128 North American locations within the next few months. Godiva said the reason for the store closures is because of the drop in demand for in-person shopping at its brick-and-mortar stores during the pandemic. CEO Nurtac Afridi said in a written statement that the company has “always been focused on what our consumers need and how they want to experience our brand, which is why we have made this decision.” Many of the Godiva stores will remain open through Valentine s Day, but some locations will close as early as February 15th.
NEW YORK (AFP) - Godiva will shut or sell its North American stores due to a steep downturn in customer foot traffic from Covid-19, the chocolate company said Monday (Jan 25).
The merchant plans to maintain its retail operations across Europe, the Middle East and Greater China, but in North America will focus on online sales and purchases through other retailers.
The company, which owns 128 stores in North America, will exit the business partially through sales and partially through closures by the end of March because demand has waned as a result of the pandemic, Godiva said in a statement.
The company did not disclose how many jobs would be affected by the move.
This Iconic Store Is Closing All Its U.S. Locations
By Sarah Crow of Best Life |
This Iconic Store Is Closing All Its U.S. Locations
After 95 years in business and 49 successful years operating brick and mortar stores in the United States, legendary chocolatier Godiva is closing all of its U.S. stores. The beloved brand will be shuttering all 128 of its stateside shops, the company announced in a statement. Read on to discover when your local store is likely to be closing up shop. And for more stores that aren t long for this world, This Iconic Clothing Store Is Closing at Least 200 Locations.
The luxury chocolates will still be available online, as well as through retail partners like grocery stores By Lindsay Lowe | TODAY •
Updated on January 25, 2021 at 11:32 pm
Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images
Godiva will be closing or selling all 128 of its stores in North America, which includes all of its U.S. locations, by the end of March.
“Demand for the in-person shopping experience offered through GODIVA’s brick and mortar locations has waned as a result of the pandemic and its acceleration of changes in consumers’ shopping behavior,” the company said in an emailed statement to TODAY Food.
Godiva products will still be available to buy online, as well as through its grocery, club and retail partners, the company said.