Latest news with #KitKats
Irish Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dancing With The Stars judge hopeful for RTE show's return
Dancing With The Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian has said he hopes the show returns next year. RTE bosses have yet to confirm if the hit dance show will return to our screens in January. But the Armenian-born choreographer is hopeful it will – praising the series for 'bringing families together'. He said: 'Please tell me yes, because I would love it. We always get phone calls around the end of July, August. So, I'm always, you know, once, every time I finish the last show, thank you, goodbye, whatever will happen, thank you. That's exactly what I do. Every job I do, I treat it like it's my last show, because nothing is guaranteed in life. 'Everywhere I go, everybody's obsessed with Dancing With The Stars. People come up to me, you know, like their grandma's and are like, 'you owe me money'. I was like,' Why do I give money?' Like, 'because of you, I lost like, 100 euro the past two weeks.'' Speaking at this year's Platinum VIP Style Awards, he said the show brings families together. 'They bring everybody together and having fun every Sunday, grandma, granddad, they don't see their kids, or, you know, grandchildren. That's one night a week where they get together, and that's so important.' The father-of-two is currently on a huge fitness journey and after just over two weeks in, he can already feel the benefits. 'Do you know what it's my 15 days…and I have never done this before, because I don't really like going to the gym. 'It's only a 20 minute workout, but it's all about the food. And I'm learning, instead of eating five sandwiches, I'm going for one. And it's kind of like, makes me feel good. And now I feel bad if I eat lots of chocolate. 'Instead of having five million KitKats, I'm having one, just a little taste, but I haven't had any sweets. It feels good. 'I have two kids. I just want to run after them. You know, longevity. 'I knew I was getting heavy after being a dancer. I was like, 'my legs are getting heavy.' 'I've got always so much energy, energy I always have. But I was like, You know what? I'm getting heavy. I'm going to try to look after myself.' Arthur is preparing to launch his first perfume into the Irish market later this week. 'There are a few little things going on. I can't really talk about where I'm so excited. I'm actually buzzing. I'm launching the perfume next week, which is amazing. We got new things coming,' he added.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Amazon slashes prices of huge chocolate boxes from Cadbury, Nestle and more
Amazon has slashed the prices of nearly all of its chocolate boxes as part of the online retailer's Everyday Essentials week, and they make the perfect Father's Day gift Finding the perfect gift for dad can be a challenge, but one thing that's sure to bring a smile to his face is a box of chocolates. Whether he's a fan of Cadbury, Nestle, or something a bit more luxurious, Amazon has got you covered with its Everyday Essentials week, featuring discounts on a wide range of chocolate boxes. Amazon's offerings at a glance: Nestle's 1.3kg The Big Chocolate Box (£18.40, down from £22.16) Nestle's 1.36kg KitKat and Friends Big Biscuit Box (£15.35, down from £21.78) Mars' 1.4kg Variety Chocolate Box (£18.99, down from £23.18) Cadbury Heroes 2kg Box (£19.99, down from £25) Celebrations' 2.4kg Chocolate box (£26.97, down from £40) Cadbury's 1.04kg Dairy Milk Big Night In Deluxe Hamper (£9.99, down from £15.07) If you're looking for something a bit more special, Hotel Chocolat's Everything Sleekster is a great option. This beautifully presented box contains 27 of Hotel Chocolat's most popular treats, including Billionaires Shortbreads, Eton Mess Truffles, and Dizzy Praline. And with its Father's Day sleeve, it makes a thoughtful and indulgent gift. For a truly luxurious treat, Fortnum and Mason's 196 Piece Assorted Napolitains is a must-consider. Weighing in at 1.2kg, this stunning box contains a wide range of delicious chocolates, including Venezuela dark chocolate squares, lemon milk chocolate, seasalt milk chocolate, ginger dark chocolate, and mint dark chocolate, reports Bristol Live. Amazon shoppers, however, have been raving about it's selection of chocolate bulk boxes. For a classic treat, consider Nestle's 1.3kg The Big Chocolate Box, now £18.40 (down from £22.16). This massive box contains six KitKats, six KitKat Chunky, six Yorkies, six Munchies, and six Aero Peppermint, all individually wrapped and perfect for snacking. Inside the box is six KitKats, six KitKat Chunky, six Yorkies, six Munchies and six Aero Peppermint. These are all individually wrapped and come in a box, with one reviewer saying: "Brilliant deal and brilliant items couldn't fault it full size bars and plenty of dates on them. Really happy with it." With a 4.5-star rating from 687 reviews, you can trust that this is a gift that will go down well. Nestle KitKat and Friends Big Biscuit Box The Nestle KitKat and Friends Big Biscuit Box is also an ideal companion for your tea or coffee break, containing a generous 69 bars with favourites such as KitKat Original and Toffee Crisp has been drawing attention on Amazon. Despite one customer pointing out "Not the box pictured but a clear white cardboard box hence the three stars. That said. Good selection of chocolate bars and good value for money", the selection still seems to be good value for money, earning an impressive 4.4 out of 1,183 reviews. A satisfied buyer mentioned: "Ideal for the kids to take a treat. Just the right size when you need a sweet fix. Brilliant value for money long shelf life." Meanwhile, another commented: "This has a good variety of the pictured chocolates and at a reasonable price for the mix. However the size of the toffee crisp was much smaller than I expected which takes one star off. Chocolate was of usual standard." Mars' Mixed Bulk Chocolate Box For those looking for variety, the Mars' Mixed Bulk Chocolate Box offers a tempting mix including Snickers, Twix, and Maltesers - a total of 1.4kg of individually wrapped treats. It boasts an excellent 4.6 rating out of 13,198 reviews on Amazon. One chocolate lover raved: "Got this box for a present and it was such great quality and a great gift idea for someone who loves chocolate, great tastes, and a brilliant variety." However, one customer did comment: "I ordered these thinking they were good value, but the only ones I felt were the proper size were the Twix and Bounty, the others seemed to be on the small size, what you would actually buy in the shop." Cadbury Heroes Box Filled with 2kg of their classic chocolates, customers can look forward to Fudge, Twirl, Cadbury Creme Egg, Eclairs, Dairy Milk Caramel, Dairy Milk, Wispa, Double Decker and Crunchie Bits. The box has received a 4.6 out of 9,334 reviews. One satisfied customer wrote: "What a fantastic find. The quality, condition, appearance and taste are. The size, texture and variety are great. This is definitely excellent value for money. I am very happy with my purchase." One person did note: "The chocolate were great and had an even mix of different types . The only delay was how long the item took to be sent out." Celebrations Bulk Box The largest of the lot, the Celebrations 2.4kg box, contains Twix, Galaxy Caramel, Maltesers, Milky Way, Galaxy, Bounty, Mars and Snickers. It also has stellar reviews, boasting a 4.6 out of 20,972 reviews. Chocoholics have been raving about the value of a bumper box of chocolates, with one delighted buyer exclaiming: "I bought these when they were on offer. Opened the box and it was filled to the top! Well worth the money. Every time my family and friends came to my home, out came the box with everyone's favourite. I took a few of my favourite chocolates out first before though and hid them. Can't fault them at all. Even right now, while I am doing the review, I have a few Snickers chocolates. 10/10!" However, not all feedback has been so sweet, as one customer expected a more decorative presentation, remarking: "I expected a box of Celebrations that I could put out on the table, as shown in the picture on the listing. It arrived as a plastic bag of sweets in a standard wholesale box, not in any way decorative. Amount of chocolates is good value but the photo is very misleading. I'll have to decant them into something else." Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Night In Collection For those looking for a cosier treat, the Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Night In Collection packs a range of choccie delights into a hamper-style package, boasting ten selections including Dairy Milk Orange Giant Buttons and Whole Nut amongst others. Scoring high in customer satisfaction, this chocolate selection holds a 4.6 rating from 1,793 reviews, with satisfied customers like the one who shared: "Bought as an extra Christmas present. The recipient loved the box and was pleasantly surprised by the large amount of chocolate contents. Well worth it." However, a disgruntled customer remarked: "It came with a lot of chocolate and definitely a good deal for money but the box came with a hole in which I was not very happy about as was meant to be a Christmas present." Join our Shopping & Deals WhatsApp for the best bargains and fashion news WHATSAPP: Get the best deals and exclusive discount codes straight to your phone via our WhatsApp group. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Some of these articles will contain affiliate links where we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our .
Kuwait Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
'Treasure hunt': Tourists boost sales at Japan's Don Quijote stores
Business is booming at Japanese discount chain Don Quijote, which sells everything from nostril-hair wax to compact gadgets and colorful party costumes, thanks to its cult status among tourists but also inflation at home. At a large Don Quijote store in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district, hundreds of tourists rush to fill their baskets with snacks and souvenirs from its heaving narrow aisles. "I was pretty overwhelmed at first, just because there's so many options, everything's in a different language," 27-year-old Garett Bryan from the United States told AFP. But "I feel like I bought a lot and it was only like $70" including "a coffee cup for my mom, a fan, some Godzilla chopsticks, just a couple toys". The chaotic cut-price shops nicknamed "Donki" were founded in the 1980s by Takao Yasuda, who named them after his business inspiration: the idealistic protagonist of the classic Spanish novel, "Don Quixote". He wanted to shake up Japan's staid retail industry with new tactics including late-night opening hours as well as more varied prices and product lines. Now a record influx of visitors to Japan, fueled by a weak yen, is boosting sales nationwide. Revenues at Don Quijote in Japan are "around 1.7 higher than before the pandemic", said Motoki Hata, a manager at the retailer. Last year its parent firm Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) saw revenue rise around 12 percent year-on-year for its discount chains including Donki, while tax-free sales beat internal forecasts. Shopping at Don Quijote is like a "treasure hunt" -- a fun experience that foreign visitors love, Hata told AFP. "Customers end up buying something different than what they came in for," he said beside rows of cherry-blossom flavor KitKats, a popular exclusive product. A machine selling little versions of "Donpen", the official character of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote, also known overseas as Don Don Donki. Customers at a branch of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote. Pedestrians in front of a branch of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote. Tourists at the tax free checkout tills, at a branch of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote. Customers walking past directions for the tax free counter at a branch of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote. Motoki Hata, inbound support department manager, talking about some of the products during an interview with AFP at a branch of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote. Motoki Hata, inbound support department manager, talking about some of the products during an interview with AFP at a branch of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote. 'Jungle'-like Don Quijote and its sister brands have 501 stores in Japan, where 24 new ones opened during the past financial year. PPIH Group also runs 110 stores abroad, in the United States and across Asia from Taiwan to Thailand. California is one place being targeted by the company for expansion, according to analyst Paul Kraft, founder of Tokyo-based consultancy firm JapanIQ. But that plan could be complicated by US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs -- including levies of 24 percent on Japan, which have been paused until July. Even so, "I wouldn't bet against them, even in this entire high-tariff environment", Kraft said. "Nobody adjusts as fast as Don Quijote in retail in Japan -- even faster than convenience stores, because they give so much autonomy to their stores." They are also "some of the smartest and most aggressive buyers that I've seen", with consistently "the best selection of almost anything". However, in Japan at least, the shopping experience is "cramped, dark, you know, the buildings might be old" with products seemingly "hanging from everywhere". Don Quijote's omnipresent Santa-hat wearing penguin mascot Donpen and its "Don Don Donki" jingle on repeat just adds to the "jungle"-like experience. "It is just almost an assault on the senses," Kraft said. Inflation hits Still, Don Quijote "has grown to be an extremely important retailer in Japan", Kraft said -- especially as rising inflation ramps up demand for cheaper products. The country's core inflation rate accelerated to 3.2 percent in March, with consumers feeling the pinch on electricity bills as well as kitchen staples like cabbage and rice. Household consumption fell 1.1 percent in 2024, with some people making the trip to Don Quijote to save. "It's less expensive than other shops, and they also have famous brands," said a Tokyo resident who shops at the store twice a week and gave her surname as Kuroki. Shoji Raku, 20, told AFP she shops at Donki for "shampoo, electronics and everything that you don't find elsewhere". There is even usually a cordoned off adults-only section at Donki stores selling various sex toys. Tourist sales remain a key focus for the chain, which plans to open two new stores targeted at visitors in Japan next year, centred on duty-free products. But one Donki customer, Bruno Bosi from Brazil, said shoppers should tread with caution. "It is a store for you to buy as much as you want -- but I think you need to ask yourself if you need it," he said. - AFP
Japan Today
11-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
'Treasure hunt': Tourists boost sales at Japan's Don Quijote stores
Business is booming at Japanese discount chain Don Quijote, which sells everything from compact gadgets to party costumes, thanks to its cult status among tourists By Caroline Gardin and Atish Patel Business is booming at Japanese discount chain Don Quijote, which sells everything from nostril-hair wax to compact gadgets and colourful party costumes, thanks to its cult status among tourists but also inflation at home. At a large Don Quijote store in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district, hundreds of tourists rush to fill their baskets with snacks and souvenirs from its heaving narrow aisles. "I was pretty overwhelmed at first, just because there's so many options, everything's in a different language," 27-year-old Garett Bryan from the United States told AFP. But "I feel like I bought a lot and it was only like $70" including "a coffee cup for my mom, a fan, some Godzilla chopsticks, just a couple toys". The chaotic cut-price shops nicknamed "Donki" were founded in the 1980s by Takao Yasuda, who named them after his business inspiration: the idealistic protagonist of the classic Spanish novel, "Don Quixote". He wanted to shake up Japan's staid retail industry with new tactics including late-night opening hours as well as more varied prices and product lines. Now a record influx of visitors to Japan, fueled by a weak yen, is boosting sales nationwide. Revenues at Don Quijote in Japan are "around 1.7 higher than before the pandemic", said Motoki Hara, a manager at the retailer. Last year its parent firm Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) saw revenue rise around 12 percent year-on-year for its discount chains including Donki, while tax-free sales beat internal forecasts. Shopping at Don Quijote is like a "treasure hunt" -- a fun experience that foreign visitors love, Hara told AFP. "Customers end up buying something different than what they came in for," he said beside rows of cherry-blossom flavor KitKats, a popular exclusive product. Don Quijote and its sister brands have 501 stores in Japan, where 24 new ones opened during the past financial year. PPIH Group also runs 110 stores abroad, in the United States and across Asia from Taiwan to Thailand. California is one place being targeted by the company for expansion, according to analyst Paul Kraft, founder of Tokyo-based consultancy firm JapanIQ. But that plan could be complicated by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs -- including levies of 24 percent on Japan, which have been paused until July. Even so, "I wouldn't bet against them, even in this entire high-tariff environment", Kraft said. "Nobody adjusts as fast as Don Quijote in retail in Japan -- even faster than convenience stores, because they give so much autonomy to their stores. "They are also some of the smartest and most aggressive buyers that I've seen, with consistently the best selection of almost anything. However, in Japan at least, the shopping experience is cramped, dark, you know, the buildings might be old with products seemingly hanging from everywhere". Don Quijote's omnipresent Santa-hat wearing penguin mascot Donpen and its "Don Don Donki" jingle on repeat just adds to the "jungle"-like experience. "It is just almost an assault on the senses," Kraft said. Still, Don Quijote "has grown to be an extremely important retailer in Japan", Kraft said -- especially as rising inflation ramps up demand for cheaper products. The country's core inflation rate accelerated to 3.2 percent in March, with consumers feeling the pinch on electricity bills as well as kitchen staples like cabbage and rice. Household consumption fell 1.1 percent in 2024, with some people making the trip to Don Quijote to save. "It's less expensive than other shops, and they also have famous brands," said a Tokyo resident who shops at the store twice a week and gave her surname as Kuroki. Shoji Raku, 20, told AFP she shops at Donki for "shampoo, electronics and everything that you don't find elsewhere". There is even usually a cordoned off adults-only section at Donki stores selling various sex toys. Tourist sales remain a key focus for the chain, which plans to open two new stores targeted at visitors in Japan next year, centred on duty-free products. But one Donki customer, Bruno Bosi from Brazil, said shoppers should tread with caution. "It is a store for you to buy as much as you want -- but I think you need to ask yourself if you need it," he said. © 2025 AFP
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
'Treasure hunt': tourists boost sales at Japan's Don Quijote stores
TOKYO: Business is booming at Japanese discount chain Don Quijote, which sells everything from nostril-hair wax to compact gadgets and colourful party costumes, thanks to its cult status among tourists but also inflation at home. At a large Don Quijote store in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district, hundreds of tourists rush to fill their baskets with snacks and souvenirs from its heaving narrow aisles. "I was pretty overwhelmed at first, just because there are so many options, everything's in a different language," 27-year-old Garett Bryan from the US told AFP. But "I feel like I bought a lot and it was only like US$70," including "a coffee cup for my mum, a fan, some Godzilla chopsticks, just a couple of toys." The chaotic cut-price shops nicknamed "Donki" were founded in the 1980s by Takao Yasuda, who named them after his business inspiration: the idealistic protagonist of the classic Spanish novel, "Don Quixote." He wanted to shake up Japan's staid retail industry with new tactics including late-night opening hours as well as more varied prices and product lines. Now a record influx of visitors to Japan, fuelled by a weak yen, is boosting sales nationwide. Revenues at Don Quijote in Japan are "around 1.7 times higher than before the pandemic," said Motoki Hara, a manager at the retailer. Last year its parent firm Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) saw revenue rise around 12 per cent year-on-year for its discount chains including Donki, while tax-free sales beat internal forecasts. Shopping at Don Quijote is like a "treasure hunt" – a fun experience that foreign visitors love, Hara told AFP. "Customers end up buying something different than what they came in for," he said beside rows of cherry-blossom flavoured KitKats, a popular exclusive product. Don Quijote and its sister brands have 501 stores in Japan, where 24 new ones opened during the past financial year. PPIH Group also runs 110 stores abroad, in the US and across Asia from Taiwan to Thailand. California is one place being targeted by the company for expansion, according to analyst Paul Kraft, founder of Tokyo-based consultancy firm JapanIQ. But that plan could be complicated by US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs – including levies of 24 per cent on Japan, which have been paused until July. Even so, "I wouldn't bet against them, even in this entire high-tariff environment," Kraft said. "Nobody adjusts as fast as Don Quijote in retail in Japan – even faster than convenience stores, because they give so much autonomy to their stores." They are also "some of the smartest and most aggressive buyers that I've seen," with consistently "the best selection of almost anything." However, in Japan at least, the shopping experience is "cramped, dark, you know, the buildings might be old" with products seemingly "hanging from everywhere." Don Quijote's omnipresent Santa-hat wearing penguin mascot Donpen and its "Don Don Donki" jingle on repeat just adds to the "jungle"-like experience. "It is just almost an assault on the senses," Kraft said. Still, Don Quijote "has grown to be an extremely important retailer in Japan," Kraft said – especially as rising inflation ramps up demand for cheaper products. The country's core inflation rate accelerated to 3.2 per cent in March, with consumers feeling the pinch on electricity bills as well as kitchen staples like cabbage and rice. Household consumption fell 1.1 per cent in 2024, with some people making the trip to Don Quijote to save. "It's less expensive than other shops, and they also have famous brands," said a Tokyo resident who shops at the store twice a week and gave her surname as Kuroki. Shoji Raku, 20, told AFP she shops at Donki for "shampoo, electronics and everything that you don't find elsewhere." There is even usually a cordoned-off adults-only section at Donki stores selling various sex toys. Tourist sales remain a key focus for the chain, which plans to open two new stores targeted at visitors in Japan next year, centred on duty-free products. But one Donki customer, Bruno Bosi from Brazil, said shoppers should tread with caution. "It is a store for you to buy as much as you want – but I think you need to ask yourself if you need it," he said.
