By Ranjan Bhaduri
Dec.20, (THAINDIAN NEWS) This Christmas is not going to be a good time for HoneyBaked Ham. The worldwide spread of Swine flu may have a role behind its less than adequate sales these days. Besides, Wal Mart is selling ham slices at much cheaper rate. While the company has sold maximum number of hams during Christmas, this year has turned out to be very different. Craig Kurz, who is the company’s CEO, has confirmed the news. He said in an interview that the company is going through a tough phase and he has not seen such times in his life.

HoneyBaked gets half of its yearly business from Christmas while another significant part comes from festive occasions like Easter and Thanksgiving. To cope with the unprecedented slump in sales, it is trying to bring catering to its services. Apart from that, it is trying to increase business by starting kiosk in several supermarkets. To survive in the business it may also tie up with other food chains. The company started its journey in 1957. Though it started by selling ham, later it included turkey among its products. After 1981 it started facing competition from others who started using spiral cuts after its patent ceased to exist.

As a matter of fact, HoneyBaked has also faced the heat of the economic turmoil and it had to resort to layoff like many other companies. To lure the customers hit by the economy, the company may resort to discount and coupons heavily. Keeping in mind the changed situation, the company is focusing on value more than the product quality this year. The company hardly has any other choice as the luxury brands will lose business this Christmas.