A._Korkunov
A. Korkunov
Russian chocolate maker
A. Korkunov (Russian: А.Коркунов) is a luxury chocolate maker in Russia, founded in 1999 by two entrepreneurs, Andrey Korkunov and Sergey Lyapuntsov. The company has a production facility in Odintsovo,[1] just outside Moscow, and sells its chocolate products across Russia and internationally.
A. Korkunov has been named a "Top 10" brand in Russia by both Young & Rubicam and the Rus Brand Independent Organization.[2] It is also the only native Russian brand with an awareness level on par with those of leading global consumer goods brands—such as Sony, Gillette and BMW—according to the Young & Rubicam "Power Brand" ranking. The company drew from the emblems and old writings of Tsarist Russia to connect the brand with richness and luxury.[3] Outside of Russia and the CIS, A. Korkunov products are sold in the United States, Germany, Lithuania, and China.[4]
On January 23, 2007 The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company signed a purchase agreement to acquire an 80 percent initial interest in A. Korkunov for $300 million with the remaining 20 percent to be acquired over time.[5] The acquisition had entered Wrigley into the chocolate business for the first time.[2] In 2006, Korkunov had $100 million in sales worldwide, produced 25,000 metric tons of chocolate, and exported 5% of that from Russia.[5]
In December 2012 A. Korkunov opened a chocolate boutique in Moscow selling 15 types of hot chocolate and freshly made products from the production facility in Odintsovo.[6] Possible future plans include more boutiques throughout Russia if the logistic problems can be solved.[6]
