SnackVerse, the UK subscription service that sold monthly mystery boxes of international snacks and drinks, entered administration on November 2. The Gazette confirms that Kieran Bourne of Cromwell & Co Insolvency Practitioners was appointed to oversee the process.
Brand's Rise and Fall
Founded in 2022, SnackVerse built a following of more than 35,000 on Instagram. The subscription offered three packages, with prices starting at £7.99 for a box containing at least five snacks. The standard package cost £13.99 and included 10 or more snacks plus a drink, while the premium option at £23.99 offered at least 20 snacks alongside multiple drinks.
The company's final months were marked by complaints over its advertising practices, leading to two actions by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) this year.
ASA Rulings
In a ruling issued in May, the ASA found that SnackVerse had made misleading claims about its previous subscription boxes. The investigation followed a complaint from a customer whose delivery did not include snacks from the advertised countries. SnackVerse could not provide evidence that other customers had received the advertised country-themed boxes, so the ASA upheld the complaint.
A second ruling on October 9 concerned a discount promotion. SnackVerse advertised a 50% discount with a countdown timer that restarted after reaching zero, making the offer appear to continue indefinitely. The ASA contacted the company but received no confirmation that changes would be made to the website.
Uncertain Future
With an administrator now appointed, the future of SnackVerse Limited remains uncertain. The collapse ends the company's four-year run, though further details about the administration and its implications for customers have not yet been confirmed.
