Lobels shuts down confectionary unit

LOBELS Bread, the country's largest biscuit manufacturer, has closed down its confectionary unit and retail outlets following a decline in sales. The giant firm has closed down four outlets in Bulawayo, which are now under lock and key.

The confectionary unit was introduced in year 2000 and comprises a wide range of products such as sweets and chocolate lines.

A worker at the company who could not be named for professional reasons said the move has come as a management directive.

"We've slowed down the confectionary business, meaning we're no longer making confectionary because the business wasn't doing well. Because of that, the shareholders decided to close it down. Our focus will now be on bread only," said the worker.

The worker said customers could now order their sweet treats from leading supermarkets in the central business district.

A Lobels' management official also confirmed the development saying the move was meant to consolidate the bread manufacturing arm.

"We've not been making money in the confectionary business and we want to consolidate our bread business. So, we've closed confectionary shops only because they have not been profitable as volumes have been going down.

"Initially they were profitable but are not doing well now because of the economic situation. The bakery business will remain running and infact well be expanding," said the official.

Lobels is a well established Zimbabwean company, manufacturing a range of quality food products. Recently, the company commissioned a modern factory in Bulawayo and has a large distribution depot in Harare.