ARKADIA‘S HANDMADE CHOCOLATES TO TEST THE MAINLAND MARKET’S SWEET TOOTH

Chocolate is one of the most popular gifts during festive periods, but it is also a favourite of sweet lovers and suitable for any occasion. Aside from the range of chocolates offered in Macao by big manufacturers, two sisters have been making their mark by producing a large variety of handmade chocolates and developing original flavours.

From design to production, the entire process is undertaken in Macao and adapted to meet the different needs of their clients. As their brand Arkadia gradually gains recognition in the Macao market, Esther and Scarlett Kan say they have plans to strengthen their promotion efforts in order to attract more customers and explore the Mainland China market.

Arkadia produces a variety of handmade chocolates with original flavours

Arkadia produces a variety of handmade chocolates with original flavours

Learning on the job

The sisters were previously involved in the wholesale trade and retail sale of chocolates from around the world but they soon found their business model was not flexible enough to respond to the needs of customers, says Esther. Taking advantage of a trend for handmade chocolates, the sisters launched Arkadia in 2012. By focusing on the production of locally made chocolate in a variety of shapes and flavours, Esther says the revamped business model enabled Arkadia to better cater to the varied needs of their customers. At the same time, the company also gained more control over their inventory.

Currently, a variety of handmade chocolates are available at the shop. Additional products and services can be supplied upon request, such as corporate gift boxes, and candy corners and gift boxes for wedding ceremonies. Aside from some part-time staff working on special occasions or events, the Kan sisters run the business.

Although she has had a sweet tooth since her youth, Esther says that neither she nor her sister had a background in making chocolate when they were planning to launch the business. The pair spent some time in Hong Kong to learn a few recipes and techniques, brushing up their skills by studying online and reading books. Esther says they have modified some of the recipes after receiving customer feedback, as consumers in Macao and Hong Kong tend to favour chocolates that are less sweet. “We are running our business and learning at the same time. It’s very complicated to make chocolate, requiring a lot of effort and time,” she says. “That’s why there are only a few or simply no other handmade chocolate brands in Macao because there’re no other fools like us.”

Esther Kan says Arkadia is gaining recognition in the Macao market

Crafting opportunity

Their efforts have yielded positive outcomes. The quality of Arkadia products has been widely recognised by its customers and the number of fans at its Facebook page has grown to more than 7,000. Esther points to the example of a specific corporate client that has ordered tailor-made chocolate gift boxes every Valentine’s Day since Arkadia opened. The number of gift boxes has increased from about 500 units in the first order to 1,500 this year, showing the satisfaction with and appreciation of Arkadia chocolates.

In addition to using social media tools, Arkadia also strives to explore new markets and seize new business opportunities via different channels. For example, the sisters have participated in several events organised or promoted by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute in previous years, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) and the Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair.

The shop has recently moved from a street near Rua de Ferreira do Amaral to a shopping centre in Rua do Campo. Esther says she hopes the shop will benefit from a greater flow of visitors in its new location, which should bring more customers and mean more people know about the brand. Catering to new types of customers, such as students and office workers around the shopping centre, Arkadia has recently launched chocolate biscuits shaped as cartoon characters and handmade ice cream. The shop will also provide tea and other drinks to better cater to an evolving market that seeks a diversified range of products, adds Esther.

Arkadia has also recently collaborated with the operator of the shopping centre to carry out promotional campaigns on the social media platforms in Mainland China, vying to attract more travellers to the shop. “We did not dare to explore the Mainland China market in the past due to challenges like maintaining the quality of the products [while in the post],” Esther says. “After a few trials, we hope to start receiving orders from clients in Mainland China this year.”