Artisan confectionaries that can feature in gift hampers have been described as recession-proof by an industry insider. Steve Parkhill, chief executive of Rogers' Chocolates, which opened its first specialist chocolate shop in Victoria, Canada, in 1885, told the Vancouver Sun there was room for more such manufacturers in the marketplace as consumers are looking for an alternative. According to Mr Parkhill, the gourmet confectionary industry is also seeing significant global expansion in dark chocolate, compared to the mass market where growth is flat. He noted that during the economic downturn in 2008, there were concerns business would decline, however customers continued to order. "It showed us people deal with the new realities of a weakened economy but will not compromise on an affordable luxury," he was quoted by the newspaper as saying. Meanwhile, experts have revealed that chocolate is not as much of an unhealthy hamper addition as once thought. Nutritionist Christine Dobmeier of the University of Maryland Medical Center told the Baltimore Sun that due to its high flavonol content, the food can help with blood flow and promote healthy cholesterol levels.
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