Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) confirmed that it would start selling Twinkies earlier than expected. Last month, the Daren Metropoulos, one of the the principal owners of private equity firm C. Dean Metropolous & Co. announced that Twinkies and other snack cakes from the bankrupt Hostess Brands will return to store shelves on July 15.
According to USA Today, Twinkies will be available at 1,600 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) starting on Friday, July 12. The retail giant said that around 3,000 to 4,000 of its stores in the United States will receive the snack cakes on Sunday morning, one day before the scheduled distribution of Twinkies in store shelves across the country.
Veronica Marshall, spokesperson at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) said that the company had been working with the management of Hostess Brands for the earlier availability of Twinkies. She said, “We’ve been working with them now for several months to have them available exclusive early.”
More Goodies to Come in August: Wal-Mart
According to Marshall, the retail giant will begin selling the Hostess Mini Muffins, fried Fruit Pies later next week and the Coffee Cakes, Ho Hos, Orange CupCakes, Suzy Qs and Zingers will be available in August. According to her, Sno-Balls will arrive at Wal-Mart stores in the fall.
Marshall also emphasized that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is not included among the retailers that will receive frozen Twinkies. Last month, the new owners of Hostess Brands said the company would freeze Twinkies for approximately 10% of its retailers upon request to allow them to stamp their own expiration dates.
Twinkies’ New Longer Shelf Life
Hostess Brands stated that Twinkies now have a longer shelf life of 45 days. Previously, the snack cake was no longer edible after 26 days. According to the company, changes in the shelf life of Twinkies were implemented under its previous owners. Before the company went bankrupt, longer-lasting Twinkies were already available at stores.
Private equity firms Metroupoulos & Co. and Apollo Global Management purchased Twinkies brand and other Hostess snack cakes. Hostess Brands filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy after a workers’ strike resulted in the shutdown of its business operations.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is also selling other cake brands such as Little Debbie cakes from McKee Foods Corp and Tastykake from Flower Foods. The retail giant is also selling its own store brands of similar cakes.
