Camera de Comert Elvetia - Romania / Chamber of Commerce Switzerland - Romania

Heidi Chocolats Suisse, a major producer on the local chocolate market, is planning a rebranding process in 2009, and intends to consolidate its market share. Company officials expect €16 million in net sales, up 25 percent year-on-year.

 “We expect growth in 2009, continuing this year’s trend, which brought a 20 percent annual increase,” Erwin Vondenhoff, Heidi Romania’s General Manager, told Business Standard, adding that this business will not be strongly affected by the crisis.

“We estimate our business will increase by one quarter, considering that our strategy is based on expanding exports, which currently make up only eight percent of our business, but we expect this percentage to amount to 20 percent in the coming years,” Vondenoff said.

The company’s General Manager said that 2009 will be a very important year for Heidi, which will come up with a new brand vision, with new ideas and products. “Naturally, in order to increase market share we have to introduce new things onto the Romanian market, known for its poor consumer loyalty for a certain brand,” said the company official.