Godiva Chocolatier is a Belgian manufacturer of chocolates and related products. Godiva, founded in 1926, was purchased by the Turkish Y?ld?z Holding, owner of the Ülker Group, on November 20, 2007. Godiva owns and operates more than 600 retail boutiques and shops in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia and is available via over 10,000 specialty retailers.
In addition to chocolates, Godiva also sells truffles, coffee, cocoa, biscuits, dipped fruits and sweets, chocolate liqueur, shakes, wedding and party favors and other items arranged in gift baskets. Godiva's signature package is the Gold Ballotin (French for "small, cardboard box of chocolates"). Godiva also produces seasonal and limited-edition chocolates with special packaging for major holidays. Godiva also has license agreements for the production of ice cream, cheesecake, coffee pods and liqueur that comes in several chocolate-related flavors. Products are also available in sugar-free and Kosher varieties.
Video Godiva Chocolatier
Expansion
Godiva was founded in 1926 in Brussels, Belgium, by Joseph Draps who opened his first boutique in the Grand Place in Brussels under its present name, in honour of the legend of Lady Godiva. The first Godiva shop outside Belgium was opened in Paris on the fashionable Rue Saint Honoré in 1958. In 1966, the company's products reached the United States, where they were sold at luxury shopping centers. The following year, it was purchased by the Campbell Soup Company. In 1972, the first Godiva boutique in North America was opened on New York City's Fifth Avenue.
By 2007, Godiva had annual sales of approximately $500 million. In August of that year, Campbell Soup Company announced it was "exploring strategic alternatives, including possible divestiture, for its Godiva Chocolatier business"; the company said the "premium chocolate business does not fit with Campbell's strategic focus on simple meals".
On December 20, 2007, Campbell announced that it entered into an agreement to sell Godiva to Y?ld?z Holding based in Istanbul, Turkey, which is the owner of Ülker group and the largest consumer goods manufacturer in the Turkish food industry. The acquisition was completed on March 18, 2008, for $850 million.
Godiva continues to own and operate more than 450 shops worldwide. The company issues six seasonal mail-order catalogs a year in the USA and also accepts online and telephone orders for their products. Godiva chocolate is also sold in local malls and mini shops.
Godiva opened (May 2012) Café Godiva in London's Harrod's Department Store. The 40-plus table venue features Godiva's chocolate beverages, pastries, and chocolates. The company also has a store in the Harrods Food Hall.
Godiva is a participating member of the World Cocoa Foundation and Cocoa Horizons Foundation. The company is a partner of Save the Children, and began The Lady GODIVA Program which partnered with FEED Projects in its first year.
In 2016, Godiva celebrated its 90th anniversary and opened its 100th store in China. In 2017, the business opened its first store in Australia, inaugurated its Pierre Draps Chocolate Research & Development Centre in Brussels, and opened its North America flagship store in Rockefeller Center. In 2018, Godiva opened its first café in Brussels, the birthplace of the brand.
Maps Godiva Chocolatier
Locations
In 2016, Godiva had approximately 650 retail boutiques throughout the world. Godiva's global presence increased rapidly, especially in countries like China and Japan.
Godiva also has 2 plants. One operating in Brussels, Belgium, and another operating in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Product
Godiva Chocolatier offers a wide range of products such as chocolate strawberries, coffee and cocoa, and wrapped chocolates.
Godiva Chocolatier's core products include:
- Truffles
- Biscuits
- Chocolixir
- Soft Serve Ice Cream
Iconic Pieces
In addition to Godiva's core offerings, the business also provides a selection of iconic chocolate pieces.
- Lady Noir
- Truffe Traditionelle
- Signature Milk
- Coeur de Bruxelles
Chef Chocolatiers
Godiva has a team of 4 chefs that are in charge of working globally to create new flavors throughout Godiva's popular markets: Europe, USA, China and Japan.
Thierry Muret
A native Belgian, Chef Thierry studied the art of chocolate through an apprenticeship with Master Rene Gossens in Antwerp, Belgium. After moving to the United States, Chef Thierry opened a chocolate shop with his sister in Chicago called Le Caraque. Five years later, Thierry left the family business and joined Godiva. Chef Thierry is in charge of creating new products for North America and serves as the upscale chocolate maker's food spokesperson. He's been in the role since 2012 and with Godiva since 1988.
Yannick Chevolleau
Chef Yannick started his career as a pâtissier in France, working in several Michelin-starred restaurants. Chef Yannick lived in Japan for 8 years prior to joining Godiva. He worked at a French restaurant in Japan called The Georgian Club in Roppongi. To denote Tokyo for Godiva's 'Wonderful City of Dreams' range of chocolates, Chef Yannick Chevolleau created a caramel, orange and Yuzu milk chocolate ganache. It has a slightly sour taste and is decorated with an illustration of Japan's parliament building.
Philippe Daue
Chef Philippe Daue joined Godiva as Chef Chocolatier in December, 2012. Philippe studied in his native country, Belgium, as well as in Paris and the UK. Before joining Godiva, Chef Philippe had worked as an Executive Pastry Chef in five-star hotels such as the Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, and Hilton across Europe and the Pacific Rim.
Wilmots Ilse
Chef Ilse has been with Godiva for nearly 25 years. She started with the company when she was just 21. Chef Ilse is the only female Chef Chocolatier working with Godiva. She studied at the Coovi-Ceria school in Anderlecht and worked as a Chocolatier in a pastry shop.
Jean Apostolou
Chef Jean was born in Belgium, and began his career at 17 as a Chocolatier-Patissier at Patisserie Jacobs. After working with prestigious brands for over 32 years, Chef Jean joined Godiva She studied at the Coovi-Ceria school in Anderlecht and worked as a Chocolatier in a pastry shop.
Founder (Pierre Draps)
Pierre Draps Jr. was born in the Brussels borough of Koekelberg where the first Godiva store opened. Pierre Draps's father, Pierre Draps Sr, who started making the now world famous pralines in 1926. Pierre Jr and his two brothers, Joseph and François, soon joined their father in the business. Pierre Jr. started making chocolates in Brussels, Belgium, for sale to local shops. His shop in Brussels' Grande Place was a success, and over the next decade, several other outlets were opened around Belgium.
Pierre Jr. named the company Godiva because he was inspired by the ancient legend of Lady Godiva of Coventry. Godiva still uses recipes developed by Pierre Jr.'s father today.
In 2012, Pierre Draps Jr. passed at the age of 92.
Legal issues
Lawyers of the company have sent a series of letters warning the Lady Godiva public house in Geneva, Switzerland, that they are infringing upon their intellectual property with the latest asking them to cease and desist from using the name. Pru Porretta, MBE, who was behind the revival of Dame Goodyver's Daye in Coventry, England, where a procession through the city's streets includes her representing Lady Godiva riding a horse commented "I think it's very sad. Godiva was a great woman who challenged her husband to stop the terrible things that were happening to the people. I'm sure Lady Godiva wouldn't care for a company which seems to be taking something that wasn't theirs originally and wants to use it for themselves and nobody else. It's about our rich heritage. I would say it's morally wrong".
Corporate Social Responsibility
Godiva supports sustainable practices and programs on a worldwide basis. Godiva strives to invest in programs and practices that lead to lasting positive outcomes for our consumers, partners and communities. Godiva is a participating member of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), a leading nonprofit organization that promotes sustainability in the cocoa sector by providing cocoa farmers with the support they need to grow more quality cocoa and strengthen their communities. The WCF's work has led to increased productivity and profits for cocoa farmers, helping to ensure a sustainable supply of cocoa for generations to come. Godiva also participates in cocoa sustainability activities through the Cocoa Horizons Foundation, which seeks to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities through the promotion of sustainable, entrepreneurial farming, improved productivity, and community development.
See also
- Lady Godiva, after whom the company is named.
- Belgian chocolate
Gallery
References
External links
- Godiva's official website
- Godiva's UK official website
- Ulker's official website
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments