Polly Waffle choc bar being axed after 62 years
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:37 pm
THE 62-year-old Polly Waffle choc bar is being axed; a victim of Kit Kat's success!
Nestle yesterday confirmed that production of the marshmallow-filled treat is to stop, citing steadily declining sales.
But the company also hinted the Polly Waffle has an "old image" problem and may simply be past its use-by date.
"It's costing more to produce than what we get back in sales," Nestle's Fran Hernon said, adding that it had been a difficult decision.
"Everybody says they love the Polly Waffle but the truth is no one buys it today. The time for it has been and gone."
Ironically the success of other Nestle products has hastened the end of the Polly Waffle. Ms Hernon said consumers now prefer the new Kit Kat Four-Finger and Kit Kat Chunky Smarties for the same price.
Younger people admit to only a vague knowledge of the Polly Waffle and most are unaware it is uniquely Australian and not available anywhere else in the world.
Lucy McIntosh, 21, of East Melbourne said she wouldn't think to ask for a Polly Waffle when choosing chocolate.
"It rings a bell, but now that I see the wrapper I think I've seen it in stores. But I wouldn't ask for one off the top of my head," she said.
Ms Hernon said the decline in sales may suggest that consumers were saying the Polly Waffle had been around too long.
By the way, the last Polly Waffle may be sold at auction!
Nestle yesterday confirmed that production of the marshmallow-filled treat is to stop, citing steadily declining sales.
But the company also hinted the Polly Waffle has an "old image" problem and may simply be past its use-by date.
"It's costing more to produce than what we get back in sales," Nestle's Fran Hernon said, adding that it had been a difficult decision.
"Everybody says they love the Polly Waffle but the truth is no one buys it today. The time for it has been and gone."
Ironically the success of other Nestle products has hastened the end of the Polly Waffle. Ms Hernon said consumers now prefer the new Kit Kat Four-Finger and Kit Kat Chunky Smarties for the same price.
Younger people admit to only a vague knowledge of the Polly Waffle and most are unaware it is uniquely Australian and not available anywhere else in the world.
Lucy McIntosh, 21, of East Melbourne said she wouldn't think to ask for a Polly Waffle when choosing chocolate.
"It rings a bell, but now that I see the wrapper I think I've seen it in stores. But I wouldn't ask for one off the top of my head," she said.
Ms Hernon said the decline in sales may suggest that consumers were saying the Polly Waffle had been around too long.
By the way, the last Polly Waffle may be sold at auction!