Well, well, well! It looks like we’ve got a candy crisis on our hands, folks! The Swedish confectionery brand Bubs is apparently causing more commotion than a cat on a hot tin roof! The assistant store manager at Extra Håkonsgaten, Karianne Christoffersen, puts it perfectly—it’s absolutely wild! I tell you, when people start going wild for sweets, you know things have hit peak dessert chaos. I half-expect to see a “Bubs Saviors” hotline set up any day now—“Bubs in danger? Don’t worry, we’ll get you your banana-flavored fix!”
So, what’s the scoop? It seems that the TikTok brigade has struck again, with Americans testing out “Swedish candy.” I can just see the TikTok dances now, everyone flinging their arms about as they sing praises of banana-flavored bliss! Meanwhile, back in Norway and Sweden, locals are looking upon the empty shelves with the same horror you reserve for a dark alley at midnight. The aforementioned Orkla manufacturing company has confirmed the sad truth: they simply can’t keep up with the demand! Now, that’s unfortunate! People are having to resort to extreme measures—polling their friends, scouring shops, and assembling candy share groups—it’s like the modern-day version of a gold rush, but with much stickier hands!
At the heart of the madness, we have the banana-flavored Bubs, of which Karianne states that at least ten boxes are disappearing daily! Ten! That’s like watching a magician pull rabbits out of a hat but instead it’s just an endless supply of banana goodness. The three student shoppers interviewed, Hannah, Dhani, and Frida, claim that “everyone’s talking about it.” Well, blow me down! If this trend doesn’t scream “mainstream,” then I don’t know what does! The tension could be cut with a knife! There’s almost enough drama here for a reality show: “Life in the Sweet Lane.” Who knew candy could spark such emotional discussions? Some find flavors delightful, while others are shaking their heads, convinced the “Americans bought it all!”
And oh boy, the theories! Could it be hoarding? It’s like the O’boy crisis all over again! Are we going to have to submit to an interview process just to buy a few pieces of candy? “Sir, do you really NEED those four bags of Bubs? What’s your business with these ‘sweet delicacies’?” Meanwhile, Niklas Amengual, a grocer at Rema 1000, confirmed the bitter truth: while they’re trying to keep up, it’s become trickier than teaching cats to fetch! As he puts it, “Everything the factory produces is continuously sold out.” A dire state of affairs, indeed!
Now, according to Elisabeth Aandstad Ekheim from Orkla, they’re prioritizing the best sellers for Norwegian and Swedish consumers. That’s a relief! She reassures us, “Hold on, more candy is on the way!” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could just whip up a candy genie to grant our sugary wishes? Just imagine! A shiny package on your doorstep every week like clockwork: “Bubs as you wish, enjoy!”
In summary, if the candy shelves are empty and the hashtag #BubsBonanza is trending, maybe it’s time to look to high ground—let’s organize the Bubs Brigade, folks! Together, we will beat this candied catastrophe! Just don’t forget to go easy on the banana flavor—give the other flavors a chance to shine too, will you? It’s not all about the bananas, now is it!? If it fails like my grandma’s Christmas pudding, we can always hope for another sweet revival next season! Cheers to that and all the colorful sweets still left on the shelves—may they come back in abundance soon!
(The Bergen newspaper) – We have to top up several times a day to keep up with demand. It’s absolutely wild, says Karianne Christoffersen, assistant store manager at Extra Håkonsgaten, as the shelves frequently empty of the popular brand.
Empty ten boxes every day
When BA meets Christoffersen at Extra, she points out that several Bubs drawers are empty, while others have just been restocked with the high-demand candy. She estimates that they deplete at least ten boxes of Bubs per day, indicating an insatiable appetite from consumers.
– Now we order at least three times as much as before because the demand completely takes over our inventory!
Of the ten varieties on display in the store, the banana flavor reigns supreme in popularity, confirmed by Christoffersen. She has even indulged in the treat herself and understands the buzz surrounding it.
– They are good, she nods firmly, affirming their widespread appeal. The shift in sales is clearly observable, with Bubs transforming from a longstanding option to a trending topic among candy lovers.
– The rumor about where to find Bubs spreads quickly among the young crowd.
– Everyone talks about it
A similar Bubs frenzy can be witnessed at Rema 1000 Nygårdsgaten, where candy enthusiasts are on the hunt for their favorite sweets. BA encounters students Hannah Løw, Dhani Singh, and Frida Meek, who are well-acquainted with the delightful Swedish candy.
– Everyone is talking about it, the three 19-year-olds tell us, highlighting the community buzz.
However, opinions among the friends differ regarding the candy’s taste. While Singh and Meek enthusiastically endorse it as one of the best candy options available, Løw remains unconvinced.
– I thought it was the Americans who had bought everything. Of course, I’ll be furious if that were true! But it turns out that wasn’t the case, laughs Singh.
She finds it puzzling that certain varieties are perpetually sold out, with only the skull-shaped ones remaining on the shelves.
– It is a mystery. It feels special to discover a rare ‘bub’. Maybe they should think of selling them on Finn, she quips humorously.
Difficult to order enough
Friends Silje Veimo Larsen and Karoline Klette hypothesize that the candy shortage might stem from consumer hoarding, reminiscent of the widespread panic buying seen when O’boy disappeared from store shelves.
– These are her favorites, she says while pointing out the coveted black and red skulls, demonstrating how much they love Bubs.
Merchant Niklas Amengual expresses his frustrations regarding the difficulty of fulfilling orders, as the high volume of demand consistently outstrips supply.
He notes that many of the Bubs drawers remain empty due to production not being able to keep pace with the soaring customer interests.
– It has taken off quite a bit, he remarks regarding the growing trend. Customers express frustration when their favorite Bubs are missing, something he can certainly empathize with.
– Will be sold out continuously
– Yes, Bubs has become extremely popular, and everything the factory produces continuously sells out. This is why the small goods shelf is often bare. That’s what Elisabeth Aandstad Ekheim, director of communications at Orkla, states confidently.
She elaborates that this surge in popularity is part of a larger trend seen internationally. Millions of energetic videos across various platforms prominently feature “Swedish candy”, with Bubs appearing as a standout selection.
– We are doing everything we can to meet the demand and are now prioritizing our best sellers for both Norwegian and Swedish consumers.
– Hold on, more candy is on the way!
VOSS (Avisa Hordaland): As Halloween approaches, stores have begun to stock up on costumes and candies, including Bubs. At Europris in Voss, they have gone all out with their offerings.
**Interview with Karianne Christoffersen, Assistant Store Manager at Extra Håkonsgaten**
**Editor (E):** Welcome, Karianne! Thank you for joining us during what can only be described as a candy frenzy. First off, can you tell us just how wild things have gotten with the Bubs candy situation?
**Karianne Christoffersen (K):** Thanks for having me! It’s absolutely wild here! We’re seeing at least ten boxes of Bubs disappear daily, and the demand is just overwhelming. Everyone’s talking about it—customers are buzzing, and we have to restock several times a day just to keep up!
**E:** It sounds like there’s quite a community around this trend. What do you think is fueling this Bubs craze, especially in the wake of TikTok videos?
**K:** Definitely the TikTok effect! People are trying out “Swedish candy” and going crazy for the banana flavor in particular. I’ve even seen the rumors spreading like wildfire among young shoppers about where to find the elusive Bubs. It’s like a treasure hunt!
**E:** That sounds exciting! Have customers shared any funny or extreme measures they’ve taken to secure their Bubs fix?
**K:** Oh, absolutely! I’ve heard of people polling their friends, forming candy share groups, and scouring every store they can find. It’s like a modern-day gold rush, but stickier! I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a #BubsBonanza hashtag trending soon!
**E:** And how is the Orkla manufacturing company managing to keep up with this unprecedented demand?
**K:** They’re trying their best, but it’s tricky. Niklas at Rema 1000 mentioned that everything they produce is selling out immediately. Elisabeth from Orkla assured us that they are prioritizing best sellers for Norway and Sweden and that more candy is on the way, so hopefully we’ll see some relief soon!
**E:** That’s a relief! With such a buzz around the banana flavor, do you think it’s overshadowing some of the other flavors?
**K:** It definitely is! While the banana flavor is reigning supreme right now, I think it’s important for the other flavors to get their moment in the spotlight. We can’t forget that Bubs offers a variety of delicious options!
**E:** Very true! Lastly, any predictions on how long this candy craze might last or what you hope will come from it?
**K:** I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon, especially with how much people are enjoying their sweets. I just hope we can keep more flavors on the shelves and help our customers satisfy their cravings. Maybe we should think about creating a “Bubs Brigade” to keep the excitement going while we wait for supplies to stabilize!
**E:** A “Bubs Brigade” sounds like a fun idea! Thank you so much for your insights, Karianne. Good luck managing the candy chaos ahead!
**K:** Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to chat about candy, especially when there’s so much excitement in the air!
