Celebrations may remove a divisive chocolate from its festive boxes this Christmas
Bounty fans should prepare themselves for a Christmas of disappointment as the coconut-based chocolate is about to be removed from some Celebrations boxes after a survey suggested thousands of Brits could want the sweet treats gone for good.
Mars Wrigley plan to trial the removal of Bounty bars from Celebrations tubs after a poll found 39% of consumers want the coconut-flavoured chocs banished.
Bounty boycotters at selected Tesco Christmas Market sites will be able to exchange tubs bought in store that day for a new “No Bounty” alternative until December 18.
The limited edition tubs will include additional Mars, Snickers, Milky Way, Galaxy and Maltesers sweets to make up for the missing Bounty bars.
Research, by Mars Wrigley, of 2,000 Britons aged between 18 and 65 suggested that 18% would feel irritated to find only Bounty bars were left in the tub, while 58% believed it would lead to a family argument.
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While 39% wanted the bars gone for good, 22% liked Bounty the least of all the tub’s options.
Some 28% were of the opinion that coconut had no place in a chocolate bar at all.
Watch: Bounty Bars and Brussels Sprouts voted least-favourite Christmas foods
However, Mars Wrigley said it was not prepared to make a final decision yet after 18% named the Bounty as their favourite.
News of the potential Bounty removal has been met with a mixed response on social media.
Many are in favour of the proposed ban, with some expressing joy at the thought of Celebrations free of the coconut-flavoured snack.
Cool, we've got rid of Bounty from Celebrations? Now let's get rid of coriander from everything.
— Gary Bainbridge (@Gary_Bainbridge) November 3, 2022
"Cool, we've got rid of Bounty from Celebrations? Now let's get rid of coriander from everything," one user wrote.
"Count me in for buying as many of the Bounty-free tubs of Celebrations," another agreed.
"I for one will not shed a tear at the demise of the Celebrations Bounty," a further user tweeted.
"Personally I don’t think taking bounty out of celebrations goes far enough. Ban desiccated coconut," yet another Twitter user wrote.
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But others were keen to express their disappointment about the Bounty ban.
Good morning to everyone except the person who decided to remove Bounty’s from a tub of Celebrations.
— Rachel Hawkins (@ourrachblogs) November 3, 2022
"Good morning to everyone except the person who decided to remove Bounty’s from a tub of Celebrations," one user wrote.
"You didn’t deserve this. The true underdog," another joked.
"There should be MORE Bountys in Celebrations, not less," another agreed, before adding: "I’m not taking any further questions at this time."
"Getting rid of Bounty bars from celebrations is the worst idea since Brexit," yet another Bounty fan commented.
TV presenter Lorraine also waded into the debate, expressing her upset at the potential outlawing of the Bounty.
"I am not amused," she said on this morning's Lorraine. "I am a huge fan of bounty bars and I draw the line.
"What is wrong with you, they are the best, best thing ever.
"This is my go to choice of sweetie," she added. "I would just eat the whole Bountys anyway."
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Bounty fans should take some hope form the fact that Mars Wrigley haven't yet made a final decision on the future of the coconut treat, after 18% named the Bounty as their favourite.
Polling suggested it was popular with a more mature palette, with 38% of over-55s choosing it as their preferred selection.
News of the potential removal follows a Bounty Return Scheme last year, in which Bounty-haters were able to return their unwanted chocolates and swap them for Maltesers after the Christmas period.
Celebrations senior brand manager Emily Owen said: “Last year, we gave customers the opportunity to return their unwanted Bounty chocolates. Now, off the back of public demand, we’re trialling taking them out of the tub altogether.
“You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. And to those loyal – and secret – Bounty lovers out there, there’s still a chance they’ll make a return after the trial.”
The trial is rolling out across 40 Tesco Christmas Market locations, beginning at Baguley Extra in Manchester on November 8 and ending at Gallions Reach Extra in London on December 18.
Additional reporting PA.
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