KIM DE LEIJER
Chocoholics are getting ready to sink their teeth into Easter goodies this weekend, with sales high despite the recession.
Production at Waiohiki's Silky Oak Chocolate Company has been in full swing in the past few months as the 24 staff prepare for their busiest time of year.
Company director Jeanette
Darwen said they had made up to 30,000 of their "world famous in New Zealand" marshmallow eggs since January. The eggs are sold in their stores and specialist confectionary outlets.
"I tell people there's a warning that goes with them," she said. "Once you've had one you're hooked for life.
"We would not normally make any marshmallow eggs in the week of Easter but we had to make another lot on Monday."
Mrs Darwen said sales were going well with a steady flow of customers throughout the day.
"Obviously they still want good chocolate."
The store's "Superbunny", worth $250 and weighing 5kg, is being brought out on display for his 14th Easter.
"He's more than likely the oldest Easter bunny around," said Mrs Darwen.
While "Superbunny" is at home on the counter, orders have been coming in for his smaller version, the 3kg-3.5kg bunny.
Mrs Darwen said they made up to 10 of the $200 made-to-order bunnies each Easter in local orders.
They also took orders for bunnies from their other stores.
Standing 60cm, the bunny takes two people about a day to make. The three-layered chocolate bunnies are available in dark, milk or white, though the latter is slightly more expensive.
Chocolate sales at other outlets are also showing no sign of slowing.
The Warehouse Napier store manager, Jim McCall, said sales had been steady, with no particular item standing out.
"Anything that has chocolate in it is selling," he said. "Everything is going extremely well."
He did not believe the recession had affected people's Easter spending.
"People still save for an event, they still try and celebrate the event, and good on them."
Hastings Pak'nSave store manager Rowen Geddis said sales had been "hopping mad", with all chocolate products selling well in the past month.
