The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics monthly retail trade figures show cafe, restaurant and takeaway food spending grew by 1.3 per cent in September to $5.1 billion – meaning consumers spent $1.8 billion more than they did in September 2021.

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Despite Australians feeling the effects of 9 per cent food and drink inflation over the past year, food retailers including the major supermarkets have shared optimism in the lead-up to Christmas, saying that families will spend up on food when gathering together this year.

High traffic city locations are key for the Koko Black brand, but Crowe sees strong potential for online sales too. The company’s e-commerce offer launched fortuitously one week before the first COVID shutdowns began, and online orders have come to represent 13 per cent of the brand’s sales.

“As we grow the retail business, I can see that [online offer] growing to plus-30 per cent,” Crowe said.

Gift giving is a big part of online sales and options to personalise gifts have led to a cohort of customers coming back to the site regularly.

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“That’s where we’ve seen a repeat custom that I’ve been surprised and impressed by,” Crowe said.

That focus on gift giving has been a key part of Crowe’s strategy to turn around the brand and make it relevant for customers across a broader range of occasions.

“We’ve maintained our emphasis around our pralines, but have built out a proper portfolio.

“It means we are a gifting brand now for loved ones, but also for friends, to say thank you, or even ‘sorry for your loss’.”

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