Cadbury fans have been treated to some unexpected delights of late, with an iconic 90s bar being re-launched, and a rare pink chocolate hitting shelves in the UK.
But the surprises haven’t stopped there, as shoppers recently spotted not one, but four more of their ‘favourite’ products back in the supermarket.
Several of the chocolate giant’s popular Christmas items have gone on sale just a little early, with customers spotting Cadbury Chocolate Coins, Cadbury Mini Snowballs, the Christmas Puds, and Dairy Milk Winter Mint Crisp bars in Asda.
The chocolate coins are self-explanatory, but for those who may not be familiar with the other sweets, the Snowballs are smooth Dairy Milk chocolate in a crispy white dusted icing sugar shell.
The Puds meanwhile, have a truffle centre, with hazelnut and crunchy puffed rice pieces, while the Winter Mint Crisp bar is mint-flavoured milk chocolate with honeycombed granules.
Reaction to the items has been rather mixed, with some going wild over the comeback, but others, understandably, thinking it’s simply too early for such antics.
‘People don’t want to see these in the shops yet, way too early,’ wrote @elizabeth.stevens21 on Instagram, while @wiggywiggo suggested we ‘enjoy summer first.’
‘Won’t be long till Easter stuff,’ @ashleighheath16 added, as @saja_cu_oak branded the move ‘ridiculous.’
Not everyone was against a little premature Christmas spirit though, as @moogomoogo wrote that they ‘love to see them any time of the year.’
A few shoppers were also taken back by the price, claiming the 360g Winter Crisp bars were being sold for £4.50.
‘How effing much,’ asked Carl Fryer on Facebook in the Food Finds UK group, as Tyler Xymhr said: ‘IT’S SO EXPENSIVE OMG???’
But many were just thrilled to have their beloved chocolate back, with Natalie Lewis commenting: ‘I must stock up on the mint crisp as only available Christmas and it is my absolute fave ever now!’
Similarly, Kian Winchester posted: ‘The winter mint one is soooo gooood!’
And Jodie O’Connell added: ‘That mint bar is like crack to me.’
This comes after Tesco shoppers were left divided in July as they noticed large tubs of Quality Street and Celebrations on sale.
And while there’s no rule that says you can only enjoy these sweet treats at Christmas, the vast majority felt there should be one.
A snap of the tubs was shared on social media in the Bargain Lovers and Interesting Finds group on Facebook, with Matthew Chard asking: ‘Has the world gone mad???’
‘WTF, please let us enjoy summer first,’ replied Hayley Watkins, as Gillian Adams said: ‘No way it’s too early.’
But others claimed that the chocolates shouldn’t just be associated with the festive period – and that they could, and should, be enjoyed all year round.
‘Chocolate is for life, not just for Christmas,’ commented Lisa Bland, with Zoe Golam proclaiming: ‘It’s just chocolate people need to get a life and stop being miserable lol.’
Why might supermarkets put Christmas chocolate on sale early?
In fact, as psychotherapist Kamalyn Kaur previously told Metro.co.uk, the main reason supermarkets prematurely put festive goods on sale is to encourage shoppers to consume more.
‘Shops will often strategically introduce seasonal items well in advance of the actual holiday or event to create a sense of anticipation and excitement that can prompt early purchases,’ Kamalyn explained.
‘Seeing products displayed now can serve as a visual or subconscious reminder of the event, which can encourage people to start planning their Christmas celebrations well in advance.
‘In some cases, if Christmas chocolates are displayed earlier or introduced at cheaper prices then it can create a sense of urgency and scarcity encouraging the consumer to buy sooner, fearing that the item might run out or the prices might get higher closer to the holiday.’
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