Goodbye, Häagen-Dazs!

Thursday, July 12, 2012




Premium ice cream Häagen-Dazs, a unit of US-based global food giant General Mills Inc., is saying goodbye to the Philippines. 

General Mills cited "challenging business environment" as reason for leaving after 12 years of operation. 

“The decision to close our business in the Philippines was made based on its performance over the years. General Mills’ business in the Philippines has been consistently challenging in all the 12 years that we’ve operated here,” General Mills Philippines said in a statement.

“The decision has been made at the highest levels in General Mills after consideration of all options. We simply can no longer sustain our business in the increasingly challenging environment we face,” it added. 

This will affect about 60 employees who will be compensated accordingly, the company said. 

Häagen-Dazs will close its cafes in Shangri-La Plaza and Eastwood City by end-August, while its branches in Robinsons Place Manila and SM Mall of Asia already closed last June 30.

By September, no more sales orders will be received and products will just be sold in retail stores until supplies last. 

Also, beginning September 1, General Mills will also stop selling its other food brands, including Gold Medal, Green Giant, Nature Valley, Pillsbury and Betty Crocker.

In late 2011, General Mills subsidiary HD Marketing and Distribution Philippines, Inc. was still gung-ho about its expansion plans in Metro Manila, eyeing the franchising route.

Various premium and niche brands have been introduced to the local market, occupying not only supermarket shelves, but are available through dip shops, kiosks and café outlets. Rival food group RFM has also recently introduced luxury ice cream brand Magnum, which became wildly popular.


Too bad I didn't get the chance to try it before it closes down :(

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