Nestlé has had to increase production of its latest KitKat variant after retailers hoping to cash in on the popularity of the chocolate bars were left disappointed as suppliers ran out of stock.
Retailers have told RN sales of KitKat Chunky Cookie Dough have been very strong since its launch in August, with many struggling to get more stock in the past few weeks.
Avtar Sidhu, of Simply Fresh in Kenilworth, said the new variant has proved so popular in his store he hasn’t needed to offer deals to raise customer interest, an approach he takes with other new confectionery.
“We’ve gone through cases and cases of them without having to offer any promotion,” he said. “It’s surprised everybody how well it’s been received.”
He added despite putting in orders with three suppliers he is still unable to replenish his stock.
Linda Sood, of Falcon News in Portsmouth, also rues the decision not to buy more boxes than normal, now her supplier, Batleys, isn’t able to get hold of them.
“I think KitKat has had production problems. I wish I bought more – I messed up there,” she said.
Anish Parekh, of Londis in Ashton-under-Lyne, said his main supplier, Londis, didn’t have any in stock when he attempted to order more.
However, he was able to stock up through Palmer & Harvey, which has meant he has been able to continue selling them. “I ordered five boxes from P&H around two or three weeks ago, so I’ve not really needed any as I have two boxes left,” he said.
A spokesman for Nestlé told RN it is working very hard to meet demand for the “incredibly popular” bars and will be “making sure that more stock is available over the coming weeks”.
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