20 October 2023 , 13:15
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It has been on supermarket shelves in the UK for around 60 years - but people are only just realising why Galaxy has a different name in different parts of the world. The chocolate bar, made by Mars Inc, was first manufactured in the UK in the 1960s - and has since become a go-to option amongst chocolate lovers.
But it wasn't until about 30 years later when the company introduced the iconic bar to its US customers for test marketing, despite it being an American brand. But rather than using its UK name - Galaxy - the brand decided to keep its original identity - Dove - to not cause confusion amongst its loyal customers.
The brand name Dove dates back to 1939 when Greek-American Leo Stefanos owned candy and ice cream shops called Dove Candies & Ice Cream. In 1956, he created the Dove brand for his ice cream bars, sold locally throughout Chicago until 1985 when he branched out to selected cities in America.
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Just one year later, the company was acquired by Mars, Incorporated. However, Reddit users are still scratching their heads over the fact the same product goes by different names in the UK and US, with one user asking: "Is there a reason that Galaxy chocolate is called Dove in the US?"
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In response, one user said: "Dove is actually the original name. They released it as Galaxy when they expanded to the UK. It's the same company, different branding. Often the explanation behind it is as simple as 'There was already something named Dove that would be too confusing' or even 'We did some market research and Brits thought Galaxy was better'." However, others believe it is because they didn't want people confusing their chocolate bars with Dove soap.
'It’d be because of Dove soap in the UK - Galaxy is the UK branding of Dove chocolate," said another one user. In agreement, a third user said: "Probably similar to how Burger King is US but they had to change to Hungry Jacks in Australia because BK was already copyrighted for restaurants."
While its US name can be put down to 'avoiding confusion', Mars Inc says Galaxy got its name because it "helps women choose a new kind of pleasure for the first time". A statement reads: " We have strived to empower each new generation to choose pleasure too, right up to today’s heroines who juggle modern life."