The liquidation of Beyers Chocolates has escalated into a bruising public battle over exclusivity, supplier dependence and the power large retailers wield over businesses built around them over decades.
While Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini defended the retailers conduct in recent interviews, chocolatier Kees Beyers continues to fight for the business he had and the 600 staff who lost their jobs in the fallout.
Dispute centres on exclusivity agreementsBagattini said Beyers breached exclusivity agreements and leveraged Woolworths intellectual property for competitors.
