Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., the American operation of the company, began in 1966 as an importer and distributor of these famous chocolates. By 1968, Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., had begun domestic production, using the exclusive Belgian recipes. The company kept growing and the plant kept pace by building and expanding. Several additions later, the Reading Pennsylvania plant produces the same amount of chocolate for the U.S. market as the Belgian plant produces for the rest of the world. The Reading facility is home to over 350 employees year-round, handling the manufacturing of our luxury chocolate products. This facility also includes a number of office based functions, including the following departments... Operations, Information Systems, Customer Service, Accounting/Finance, Engineering, Purchasing, Human Resources, Marketing, Maintenance, Product Development and Quality Assurance, Administrative/Clerical and specialty confectioners opportunities.

The Godiva retail division began with one company-owned store in 1972, the Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan. By 1982 there were 10 stores, by 1992 Godiva was successfully operating over 100 company-owned stores. By 1998, Godiva was well over 160 stores in the U.S. and Canada, with plans that the rapid expansion of the retail store side of business will continue over the next several years.

The World Headquarters is located in downtown Manhattan. It is here in New York that our creative group designs a lot of the lush, inviting packaging that our Godiva customer craves. The staff in world headquarters is rounded out by the senior leadership team, facilities, marketing, visual merchandising and finance.

Godiva has a direct business, which was established to give our customers a different way of shopping for Godiva every day. This group also targets our corporate customers and works with them extensively to meet their needs. A catalog is distributed on a national basis several times a year to existing and potential consumers and corporate clients. Godiva also markets and sells online, at Godiva.com. As one of the first premier brands on the Internet, Godiva launched its first website in late 1994.

Godiva wholesales its merchandise to the country's leading department and specialty stores such as Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales, and Nieman Marcus. The Wholesale Division has national sales force with sales representatives and managers calling on every major wholesale account in North America.

Godiva has a very strong presence in Europe, where we began in Brussels, Belgium. We have also expanded significantly in Asia, specifically in the Pacific Rim. You can find Godiva internationally in North America, Europe, and Asia, not only in retail stores, but also in more unique locations like airports and duty-free kiosks.

See the Career Opportunities section, for information about becoming part of our successful Godiva team.

"I feel that Godiva is a pleasant place to work. The products are exceptional, and the quality and high standards are recognized around the world."