Canberra consultant holds fresh hope for Tupperware despite iconic brand filing for bankruptcy in US

Like so many, Louise Raisin grew up with her mother’s pantry stocked full of Tupperware containers, and remembers accompanying her to Tupperware parties, mainly drawn by the games and gift bags.

But times have changed.

Louise is now facing an uncertain future as one of Canberra’s Tupperware sales consultants.

Nearly eight decades after it was founded, the iconic storage container brand filed for bankruptcy in the US last month, giving in to years of dwindling demand and mounting financial losses.

“Over the last several years, the company’s financial position has been severely impacted by the challenging macroeconomic environment,” CEO Laurie Goldman said.

“As a result, we explored numerous strategic options and determined this is the best path forward.”

The brand will seek court approval to continue operating during the proceedings and says it “remains focussed” on looking after its customers and sales consultants.

A statement, published later, reiterated that “this doesn’t mean we’re going away”.

“Instead, it allows us to reorganise and make changes that will help us grow in the future … Many other companies have gone through Chapter 11 [bankruptcy proceedings] and turned things around.”

Louise, an IT professional in the public service, joined the company as a sales consultant in 2016, largely drawn by the prospect of receiving her own Tupperware products for “free”.

“I’ve now got more Tupperware than you can poke a stick at, because the more you sell, the more rewards and free products you get,” she said.

“I think my favourite would have to be the ‘Ultra Pro’, a lightweight product made of hardened silicon that can go in the oven, microwave, the fridge, the freezer – it’s non-stick and easy to clean, and really versatile.”

Louise would hold parties a few times a month, and more in May and November – May because that’s Tupperware Australia’s birthday month and November, leading up to Christmas.

She also dispels criticisms of it being a pyramid scheme, arguing she makes the same commission as those above her.

“The best part about being a consultant is the friendships I’ve made with people who share the passion for food, cooking and helping others.”

Far from dying out, Louise saw an explosion of interest in Tupperware during the pandemic.

“It went crazy,” she said.

“We had some of the biggest sales in a month during the first year of COVID, I think because people were cooking at home more, and wanted more of those products to keep their fruit and vegies fresh.”

Tupperware moved to a largely online model about 12 months before the lockdowns, which worked in its favour. It meant people could buy the products online, rather than exclusively through a party or consultant.

But the continued rise of cheap rival plastic container alternatives meant it wasn’t enough to rescue the brand, and together with inflation and rising labour and freight costs, translated to a fall in sales for six consecutive quarters since the third quarter of 2021.

It’s still unknown if investors will come on board to rescue the iconic brand, but Louise remains upbeat about Tupperware’s future.

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” she said.

“It seems to be a US issue more than it is in Europe and the Asia Pacific region – we in Australia are actually going quite well but, of course, we’ll still be impacted if the US goes under.

“I’m just hopeful it continues because Tupperware still has a lot to offer people, and is still very modern and innovative.”