Saying it with chocolates

The chocolate hampers have become the most eloquent way to celebrate a special occasion like marriage, birth and wedding anniversaries, Eid, seasonal greetings, winning a business contract, wishing on job promotion, on new baby, returning from Haj & Umrah and any personal achievements. Instead of ‘get well soon’ cards only, now chocolate hamper is accompanied with it.

However, real boom has been contributed by the corporate sector which has turned the trend for its public relations ritual giving it a new flavour to boosting the business already growing at a phenomenal pace particularly in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, says Mohammad Ayaz of Royal Chocolates Gallary, one of a known outlet in the city.

“We have dozens of inspiring hampers designs to present irresistible chocolates to make an event memorable for long”, Mohammad Ayaz said. The choice is so wide that sometime it is bit difficult for a customer to select from.

During the last three years number of chocolate parlours in Abu Dhabi has doubled to 34, which reflect the pace as the new trend has set in sweeping the rich and affluent income groups in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain especially. But, the holy month of Ramadan and two Eids brings delight to the sprawling business when sales volumes soars manifold which some estimated it at an average ranging between 400 to 500 per cent.

Besides Ramadan, the chocolate hamper parlours eagerly awaits for the marriage season in winter which brings more business to the trade. It alone generates much more sales than what they make during the whole year.

The new fashion and style to convey one’s feelings for someone’s special moments in life has been boosted by the UAE nationals who have turned it as a new culture or a custom with their high purchasing power.

For hampers there is a wide variety of world’s top chocolate brands to choice from. It varies for each age group the hampers is intended to be presented with the precious gift of chocolate goodies. So does the hampers wrappings, decorations and exclusiveness in presentations. For birthdays, weddings and such occasions, the youngsters prefer to choose chocolate wafers and biscuits.

The price range of this opulent gift starts from Dh100 per kg to Dh500. But the price can go up further matching with the value addition a customer desires.” We decorate the chocolates with miniature toys, fresh flowers, ribbons and artificial jewellery etc. according to taste of the customer and occasion”, Mr Ayaz said.

For the marriage season, the chocolate parlours are gearing up their resources to come upto the expectations of their high profile customers, who want to try something new, trendy no matter how expensive it is.