RECALL REPORT: See’s Candies is Feeling the Heat this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a procrastinator’s holiday. Burnt-out from the over stimulation of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, most people are plain sick of shopping by the time February rolls around. Little wonder there’s a stereotype of frazzled lovers desperately scrambling to make a reservation or pick up the requisite flowers and chocolates– whatever’s left of them, anyways– the day of the 14th.
However, this year you may be happy you waited to buy those red and pink wrapped candies if, like me, you’re a hardcore fan of See’s.
The well-known “old fashioned” chocolatier powerhouse announced a recall of their popular “Classic Red Hearts” 8 oz. Chocolate Box just days before one of their busiest and most profitable holidays (second only to Christmas, depending on who you ask).
Operating over 200 stores in the U.S. alone, See’s accidentally distributed the boxes with undeclared nuts nationwide. Due to an unfortunate label mixup (Psst,– we could help you with that!), some of the boxes don’t disclose that the candies may contain tree nuts, a dangerous mistake for anyone with a highly sensitive nut allergy. Consumers with nut sensitivities are encouraged to return this product at retail locations for a full refund or exchange. Thankfully, to date no illnesses have been reported.
So, the million dollar question: will this recall affect See’s holiday sales?
See’s is a curious brand. Hardly a threat to America’s chocolate giants (Mars and Hershey’s) they’ve nevertheless occupied a comfortable niche in the sweets market ever since it opened in L.A. in 1921. The company’s commitment to doing things much the way it always has, including using fresh ingredients with no added preservatives, has granted See’s a fiercely loyal following. Even many of the factory employees are still just as enthusiastic about the brand as they were when they first joined the assembly line decades ago. But perhaps its biggest recommendation comes from the company’s owner– a Mr. Warren Buffett– who still maintains that of all his investments, yes, even Coca-Cola, See’s remains his sentimental favorite.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that See’s pulled in a cool $82 million in revenue last year, a staggering increase of 333% since Buffett’s purchase in 1972. That’s enough of a margin to make anyone a bit misty-eyed.
Based on See’s steady growth, their quick and efficient response to the recall, and their undeniably delicious product, I certainly doubt they’ll see much of a dip in their profits or their loyal customers. People are serious about their chocolate.
I can tell you one thing: recall or not, no one is coming between me and my dark chocolate cherry cordials this Valentine’s Day.
