New Zealand-based cookie producer Cookie Time has rolled out its first international Cookie Bar in Tokyo’s fashionable Harajuku district.
The venture, a partnership between Cookie Time International Limited and Japan’s largest owned food distributor IceCo, launched the flagship store’s soft opening in December. Queues of customers eager to have a bite of the New Zealand-styled cookies lined outside the store everyday.
Cookie Time plans to open two more stores in Japan this year, and will also open up shop in Thailand and Malaysia.
Lincoln Booth, Cookie Time’s director, says the warm welcome in Japan has been extraordinary.
“The Cookie Bar opened with a soft launch as we have been working hard over the last four weeks to complete the full store fit-out … Despite this work in progress, the response has been incredible with daily queues and strong sales,” Booth said.
The Cookie Muncher Cookie Bar is designed as a mecca for cookie lovers, with offerings of hot cookies and freshly prepared cookie products, along with ice cream and drinks, while promoting New Zealand’s pop art design and heritage.
“Harajuku is an excellent location and the Cookie Bar’s got a great vibe. There’s something very special going with the Cookie Muncher character, pop art design and New Zealand heritage. We’re not pushing the New Zealand angle, but it certainly does add some extra flavor to the experience,” Booth says.
Since it was founded in 1983, Cookie Time has proved popular among New Zealand customers with 44 different products that were distributed through 6,000 outlets including supermarkets and cafes and diaries.
By Maesie Bertumen
Image: Sebra / Shutterstock.com
