Chocolate war kicks off ahead of Valentine’s Day

WITH Valentine’s Day just around the corner, retailers have kicked off their chocolate offensives in earnest.

Valentine’s chocolate sales have plateaued in recent years due to a fall in demand for so-called giri choko – chocolate that women give to their male colleagues out of a sense of obligation. Department stores and other retailers are now focusing efforts on attracting women who buy Valentine’s chocolate for themselves as a reward.