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News.com.au
01-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Cost is a crucial factor': Aussie business owners reveal why their products are made in China
Two Aussie business owners defended themselves against the 'stigma' of having their products made in China, exposing a huge issue for Australia in 2025. Alexandra Pappas, 36, is the founder of statement homewares company No. 22 and she's found it impossible to get her products made in Australia. 'We have found that producing our products in China costs, on average, around one-third of what it would be to manufacture the same products in Australia or other regions,' she told 'As we look to develop a new range of glassware, the quotes we have received from Australian-based manufacturers are significantly higher than those from Chinese factories.' Ms Pappas argued that 'cost is a crucial factor' in decision-making, and if it costs more to make something, ultimately, she has to pass on that cost to consumers. Her focus has to be on keeping the business profitable. And Aussies might like to say they want things made in Australia, but do they want to pay inflated prices? It is a question that Ms Pappas isn't prepared to risk asking her customers. 'For example, we are currently collaborating on a limited-edition collection with a specialist factory in Greece,' she said. 'The production costs for this collection are approximately four times higher than our core range. As a result, this collection will be positioned at a premium price point in order for it to be feasible and successful for us.' The business owner argued that getting stuff made in China isn't just a money-saving technique — it's also a great place to have products made. 'China offers world-class manufacturing capabilities, particularly when it comes to producing high-quality ceramics at scale,' she said. 'The factory we work with is home to highly skilled artisans who have crafted for some of the world's leading lifestyle and homewares brands.' Ms Pappas argued that there's still a stigma when someone hears something is 'made in China', one she disagrees with. 'There is still a misconception that manufacturing in China equates to lower quality,' she said. 'Many of the best lifestyle products are produced there because of the unmatched craftsmanship, access to materials and capacity for consistent, high-volume production.' Tina Grosso, the founder of underwear brand Chou Chou intimates, has a similar perspective, but her decision stems from what she couldn't find in Australia. 'Choosing to manufacture in China isn't just about lowering costs, it's about accessing a level of craftsmanship, technical capability, and scalability that's incredibly hard to find in Australia,' she told 'Locally, I am yet to find a factory equipped to handle the kind of specialised work we do at the scale we do it, especially when it comes to lingerie or detailed garment construction.' Ms Grosso, 30, said that while 'manufacturing offshore does offer cost efficiencies,' she believes the real value comes from the makers there. 'The real value is in working with partners who understand our product, share our quality standards, and can support our long-term growth,' she said. 'We've built relationships with trusted suppliers who are experienced, ethical, and deeply skilled in their craft.' Before she started manufacturing her products in China, quality was her 'biggest concern,' and she wanted to make sure she understand exactly how the process would work. 'Before committing to any purchase orders, I physically went and visited the production sites, requested multiple samples, asked for and reviewed all their audits and certifications,' she said. Despite how much she can justify her decision to manufacture her brand offshore, she knows it comes with criticism. 'There's still a lot of outdated stigma attached to 'Made in China,' especially in fashion,' she said. 'I think brands hesitate to talk about it because they fear it might dilute their perceived value but the truth is, where something is made matters less than how it's made and who you're working with.' At the end of the day, though, the business owner simply couldn't find a local supplier in Australia who could meet her needs. 'Especially since lingerie requires specialised machinery and technical expertise. Beyond that, finding enough skilled seamstresses to produce at scale, particularly in NSW, would be incredibly difficult,' she said. 'Based on my research, if we were to factor in local wages, limited access to materials, and smaller production runs, I estimate the cost would be at least 60-70 per cent higher than manufacturing in China.' That reality means that once she crunched the numbers, there was no way she could afford to make her lingerie in Australia. 'At that cost, even with minimum margins, the retail price of our garments would be pushed beyond what most customers are willing to pay — making the product commercially unviable,' she said. 'The difference isn't just about saving — it's what enables us to reinvest into quality, sustainability and storytelling while keeping our pieces accessible.'
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Twinings quietly discontinues ‘addictive' favourite across all UK supermarkets
TWININGS has quietly discontinued a beloved tea blend, leaving shoppers disappointed. The renowned tea brand has decided to retire its much-loved No22 Dark Caramel Tea. Advertisement 1 Although the product is still listed on major supermarket websites, such as Asda, it is no longer available to add to shopping baskets Dark Caramel Tea was described as a luxurious black tea blend infused with the rich, indulgent flavours of toffee and golden syrup. Brewed in just three minutes, it is best enjoyed black or with a splash of milk, including hazelnut milk for an extra creamy finish. However, the product's axe was confirmed after a customer asked Twining's on X (formerly Twitter). They said: "I have No22 addiction. Advertisement "It's the tea I always have after my on calls. "I'd get 20 boxes if I knew... "Do you know anywhere that we can find them? Looks like its our of stock everywhere." In response Twinings UK said: "Hi there! We're so sorry to let you know our Dark Caramel (No22) is no longer available as it has been discontinued and we've sold through all our remaining stock. Advertisement Most read in Money "Our apologies for any disappointment caused." Although the product is still listed on major supermarket websites, such as Asda, it is no longer available to add to shopping baskets. Which chocolate bars have been discontinued in the UK? This isn't the only tea flavour Twinings has discontinued in recent months. In October, the iconic tea brand also retired its Inner Strength teabags. Advertisement After learning of its discontinuation, one fan wrote on X: "That's a shame. It was a thing of beauty." The same user had previously quizzed the brand on where the teabags had gone, typing: "@TwiningsUK hello there. Do you still sell the inner strength tea bags please. "I can't seem to find them anywhere anymore." Advertisement To this, a spokesperson confirmed: "We're sorry to let you know that our Inner Strength has been discontinued and we have sold through all our remaining stock." It came shortly after a popular Yorkshire Tea product was also axed - Toast and Jam teabags. The gradual phase-out of the comforting brew left customers desperately scrambling for one last box. Why are products axed or recipes changed? ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders. Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether. They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers. There are several reasons why this could be done. For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes. Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs. They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable. For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018. It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version. Suntory tweaked the flavour of its While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose. OTHER DISCONTINUED ITEMS Earlier this week, The Sun revealed that Advertisement The snack, usually topped with chocolate or yogurt, has been a staple in many Brits kitchen cupboards since the early noughties. Alpen bars were also loved by many watching what they eat or following a Slimming World or Alpen's entire cereal bar range, which includes Alpen Light and Alpen Delight has been discontinued. However shoppers can continue to buy it's range of muesli, which costs around £3 from major supermarkets. Advertisement Cadbury also told us that its Fry Coffee Cream bars are no longer being sold in stores. A spokesperson said: "We continuously adapt our product range to ensure it meets changing tastes whilst supporting growth for our customers and our business. Read more on the Irish Sun 'Our Fry's Coffee Cream multi-packs were introduced as a limited-edition product in summer 2023 for fans to enjoy while stocks lasted. "They have since been discontinued but we still have plenty of other delicious Fry's products for consumers to choose from, including Fry's Chocolate Cream and Fry's Peppermint Cream Multipacks." Advertisement
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Twinings quietly discontinues ‘addictive' favourite across all UK supermarkets
This isn't the only tea flavour Twinings has discontinued in recent months OUT OF STOCK Twinings quietly discontinues 'addictive' favourite across all UK supermarkets TWININGS has quietly discontinued a beloved tea blend, leaving shoppers disappointed. The renowned tea brand has decided to retire its much-loved No22 Dark Caramel Tea. 1 Although the product is still listed on major supermarket websites, such as Asda, it is no longer available to add to shopping baskets Dark Caramel Tea was described as a luxurious black tea blend infused with the rich, indulgent flavours of toffee and golden syrup. Brewed in just three minutes, it is best enjoyed black or with a splash of milk, including hazelnut milk for an extra creamy finish. However, the product's axe was confirmed after a customer asked Twining's on X (formerly Twitter). They said: "I have No22 addiction. "It's the tea I always have after my on calls. "I'd get 20 boxes if I knew... "Do you know anywhere that we can find them? Looks like its our of stock everywhere." In response Twinings UK said: "Hi there! We're so sorry to let you know our Dark Caramel (No22) is no longer available as it has been discontinued and we've sold through all our remaining stock. "Our apologies for any disappointment caused." Although the product is still listed on major supermarket websites, such as Asda, it is no longer available to add to shopping baskets. Which chocolate bars have been discontinued in the UK? This isn't the only tea flavour Twinings has discontinued in recent months. In October, the iconic tea brand also retired its Inner Strength teabags. After learning of its discontinuation, one fan wrote on X: "That's a shame. It was a thing of beauty." The same user had previously quizzed the brand on where the teabags had gone, typing: "@TwiningsUK hello there. Do you still sell the inner strength tea bags please. "I can't seem to find them anywhere anymore." To this, a spokesperson confirmed: "We're sorry to let you know that our Inner Strength has been discontinued and we have sold through all our remaining stock." It came shortly after a popular Yorkshire Tea product was also axed - Toast and Jam teabags. The gradual phase-out of the comforting brew left customers desperately scrambling for one last box. Why are products axed or recipes changed? ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders. Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether. They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers. There are several reasons why this could be done. For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes. Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs. They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable. For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018. It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version. Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year. Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks. While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose. OTHER DISCONTINUED ITEMS Earlier this week, The Sun revealed that Alpen cereal bars have permanently disappeared from supermarket shelves. The snack, usually topped with chocolate or yogurt, has been a staple in many Brits kitchen cupboards since the early noughties. Alpen bars were also loved by many watching what they eat or following a Slimming World or Weight Watchers diet plan, as the treat was low in calories. Alpen's entire cereal bar range, which includes Alpen Light and Alpen Delight has been discontinued. However shoppers can continue to buy it's range of muesli, which costs around £3 from major supermarkets. Cadbury also told us that its Fry Coffee Cream bars are no longer being sold in stores. A spokesperson said: "We continuously adapt our product range to ensure it meets changing tastes whilst supporting growth for our customers and our business. 'Our Fry's Coffee Cream multi-packs were introduced as a limited-edition product in summer 2023 for fans to enjoy while stocks lasted. "They have since been discontinued but we still have plenty of other delicious Fry's products for consumers to choose from, including Fry's Chocolate Cream and Fry's Peppermint Cream Multipacks."
