Manager Alexandra Kahn does not appear to be put off by the uncertainties generated by the pandemic.

The 29-year-old entrepreneur shared her experiences with the minister for small and medium-sized enterprises, Lex Delles, during a site visit on Tuesday.

“We had the opportunity to discuss the trade sector in Luxembourg, export, our development and our investments in the expansion of our workshop”, Kahn said.

The chocolate factory took advantage of the vacancy in the adjacent hall to increase its operating area from 300m2 to 700m2. Once the new hall has been fitted out, the team will move to the new one, which will make it possible to tackle the current premises, and eventually to connect the two halls.

“We're going to take the opportunity to renovate our store before Christmas,” said Kahn, who heads a team of six. “We will now benefit from a space that corresponds to our activities, to gain in efficiency, in the service of our products.”

Global expansion

Discreet on the company’s turnover, its manager announced that it has almost doubled over the period 2018-2019. A positive indicator which, combined with others, has prompted its banking partner to play the game for the current project. “We have also benefited from investment aid from the state. Without this, we would not have been able to carry out this project.”

A strong customer following emerged during the pandemic, as customers made their purchases online and continue to do so as a “firmly established habit.”

With a semi-return to normality, orders are resuming though there remains some uncertainty about demand around Christmas time.

Distributed in about 30 points of sale in Luxembourg, the chocolates are also found at the Grande Epicerie du Bon Marché Rive Gauche in Paris.

“After a trial run in March, we received the good news that we can stay all year round. We are all the more delighted that we were unable to do any events because of health restrictions, so people discovered the products without knowing them,” Kahn said, adding that they will organise events at the Paris market over four weekends in November.

Brussels is the next new destination, where a pop-up store will open from 12-18 October at the Traiteur Pandin, in Gallery Saint-Hubert. And the chocolates seem to be convincing in other continents, since orders are planned for Israel, Canada, and soon Saudi Arabia and Japan.