It’s nice to be back, albeit momentarily I had a big ol’ post in mind but it all comes down to this really:
It is changing though - and you cannot get away from this.
Huel as a product line may not change, but Danone is fundamentally a dairy-centric company. Huel profits will contribute to Danone’s wider capital allocation, which is heavily invested into dairy production and expansion - there is simply no way to get away from the fact that a purchase from Huel now directly funds a multinational dairy business.
From an ethical vegan perspective, that’s a material contradiction.
Buying Huel is now the same as buying any off the shelf ‘plant based’ alternatives labels like Alpro, Fuel 10K etc.- it is a spin off from a large profit focused soulless non vegan corporate machine to get hooks into an otherwise exclusive market
The offset of a more expensive products to reach ethical purchase, or the benefit of supporting a vegan grass root company has been lost now.
Just read all the comments here … Danone also own Evian water if I’m not mistaken … and that’s still the same water as it was since creation. So well done all and good luck in the future
Been with Huel since 2018, and I felt a strong loyalty to the brand. That I’m referring to my brand loyalty in the past tense is how I feel about this news. My next Huel delivery will be shipped tomorrow, and I have no plans to cancel my subscription at the moment but I’m a lot more open to trying out rivals than I was a month ago, a year ago, 5 years ago etc.
As I mentioned, nothing from us is planned to change, and we intend to continue providing you with the great service and products you have come to expect from us.
I was disappointed when I read the email, and even more disappointed with the service I received after 2 of the 4 bags of Huel in my last order arrived damaged. 3 days to even get a reply. Asked to confirm my address for the replacements to be sent to. 2 replacement bags arrived a week later. In the good old days the replacements would have arrived almost before I’d sent the first email, complete with a freebie goodwill gesture (or sometimes two!) Had a feeling this would be the result, didn’t really expect it to be quite so soon. Subscription cancelled. We’ll, it would have been if not for a glitch on the website. Over and out.
So the CX Team are very busy and have seen an influx in volume. They are trying to get back to people as soon as possible so I’m sorry you had to wait.
I’m glad you got a replacement order. I want to say that Danone coming in has not changed Huel at all or our customer service. If you read my earlier comments, they have no plans to change anything. The reason why a response has taken so long is that the influx of volume the team has seen is unusual.
First, congratulations! Assuming this is what you wanted, at any rate.
Second as others have said, do not change your recipe. At all. That won’t be easy, but we’re here because we love what you do.
Third–I’m here in South Korea and had to pass on buying my new favorite, Huel Lite, because of the shipping costs. Can you put those on the retail shelves here? Olive Young seems like a good chain to carry your products–they’re a health and beauty chain with a focus on youth, and they’re even here in the sticks where I live.
Your competition, at least in the bars and RTDs, is primarily Labnosh, and to a lesser extent Dr. You. They have good products and they’re well established here. Counterintuitively, lean into your vegan principles here in Korea. Health and weight loss are a fairly recent concern here but they’re huge, and folks will buy vegan. Probiotics are also huge here.
I’m not a matcha fan, but that flavor should go over here quite well. They also like their foods very hot/spicy, though it’s a ginger/kimchi/chile heat rather than a turmeric/curry heat as a rule. Noodle cups, assuming the price isn’t crazy, should also sell well, especially to students.
I look forward to seeing Huel on the shelves here.
I had a big ol’ post in mind but it all comes down to this really:
are you telling me you don’t get your butler to fill your bath water in it?