Japanese chocolatier Royce closing South Korea stores

Japanese chocolatier Royce is shuttering its operations in South Korea.

The brand’s local retailer Royce’ Confect Korea said in an announcement last Wednesday that it will close all nine of its locations in the territory, including five shops in Seoul.

The closures will be completed by the end of next month.

Sales for the brand’s chocolates have sharply declined in recent months and were strongly affected by a recent general boycott of Japanese products in the country.

A company statement read: “Thank you very much for loving Royce’ chocolate. We will try our best to the very end with the best possible services”.