Retail & shopper insights

Early signs from Ferrero reveal shoppers are getting into the spirit of Halloween. Pic: Ferrero/Pinterest

Halloween Special Edition

Ferrero to launch ‘31 Days of Halloween’ campaign

By Anthony Myers

Although trick-or-treating might look different this year, Ferrero says it has a bunch of new treats to share for those celebrating virtually, socially distancing with friends or from the comfort of their own homes.

Overall sales of chocolate and candy have increased 3.8%, the NCA reveals. Pic: NCA

Coronavirus

Chocolate and candy soothe COVID-19 trauma, NCA reveals

By Anthony Myers

New data from the National Confectioners Association (NCA) has revealed sales of chocolate and candy in United States have increased during the coronavirus pandemic as people across the country look for ways to add joy and comfort in uncertain times.

The Lindt Home of Chocolate is on course to open in September 2020. Pic: Lindt Chocolate Competence Foundation

Tourism

Lindt Home of Chocolate scheduled to open in September

By Anthony Myers

Lindt & Sprüngli has announced it is going ahead with the opening of its Lindt Home of Chocolate on 13 September at the company’s historic headquarters in Kilchberg, Switzerland.

Interest from organic companies in next year's ISM trade fair has risen, say organizers. Pic: ISM

ProSweets/ISM 2021

ISM 2021: Organic sweets & snacks set to steal the show

By Anthony Myers

Organic has been popular for years in the confectionery industry, but the coronavirus pandemic is contributing towards a boom in the sector, reflected by an increase in exhibitors at ISM.

Guittard's celebrated chocolate chips arrive in Waitrose in the UK this week. Pic: Guittard Chocolate Company

Baking

Guittard launches baking chips into Waitrose stores in UK

By Anthony Myers

San Francisco Bay Area chocolate maker, Guittard Chocolate Company, is launching its celebrated, Fairtrade certified chocolate chips into premium grocer Waitrose stores in the UK for the first time, it has announced.

With travel on hold, backyard fire pits and s'mores treats have become popular. Pic: Gettyimages

Coronavirus

More s’mores please: Sales of American classic soar during COVID pandemic

By Anthony Myers

Hershey has reported a record-breaking demand for s’mores during the coronavirus crisis, with sales of its six-pack bars skyrocketing by 40% - even higher in some US states with stricter lockdown regulations. Monday 10 August is ‘National S’mores Day’...

Hotel Chocolat Group posts strong update, despite its retail outlets being closed for 12 weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pic: Hotel Chocolat

Financial results

Hotel Chocolat Group announces 3% revenue increase for FY20

By Anthony Myers

Premium British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat Group plc has announced revenue of £136m ($174m), an increase of 3% compared with the same period last year, despite its physical high-street outlets being shuttered for 12 weeks because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Ohso's healthy chocolate is now available online at Ocado. Pic: Ohso

Retail

Ohso probiotic chocolate brand launches on Ocado

By Anthony Myers

Award-winning probiotic chocolate brand, Ohso, has announced it has launched its range of low-calorie chocolate bars on Ocado, the UK’s high-end online grocery retailer.

Open for business in 2021? ProSweets says industry is ready to get back to normal. Pic: ProSweets

Events

ProSweets Cologne reports keen interest in 2021 event

By Anthony Myers

Supplier industry for sweets and snacks is placing its bets on a re-start after the coronavirus pandemic and is already looking at numerous bookings from firms in Europe and beyond.

The NCA's Sweets & Snacks Expo has moved online, following the cancellation of this year's event due to COVID-19. Pic: NCA

Online

Sweets & Snacks Expo launches digital On Demand platform

By Anthony Myers

Sponsored by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the Sweets & Snacks Expo is the confectionery and snack industry’s hugely successful and world-class event that is held every year in May at the McCormick Place in Chicago.

Germany's ice cream lovers are having to consume at home, until lockdown restrictions ease

in brief

Chocolate ice cream still the favourite with German consumers

By Anthony Myers

The above-average sunny weather in June and the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic have led to a significant increase in ice cream sales in Germany, according to the Association of the German Confectionary Industry (BDSI).

Getty | KIWIS

How will COVID-19 impact health food perceptions?

By Nikki Hancocks

Health food and drink experts have revealed what they believe will be the biggest purchase drivers and the biggest innovation pitfalls post-COVID and how brands can cater to emerging needs.

Pic: Hotel Chocolat

Seasonal

Father’s Day chocolates round-up

By Anthony Myers

Father’s Day in the UK falls on Sunday 21 June. Chocolatiers around the country have been busy preparing for the big day for dads, granddads, stepdads or anyone who needs some love in the house. Here’s a roundup of some of the latest treats that been...

The manufacturer of Jaffa Cakes has urged retailers to go back to basics with biscuits. Pic: pladis

Consumer insights

Biscuit sales surge in the UK

By Anthony Myers

UK manufacturer pladis announced sales of biscuits grew by £66m (2.5%) - the category is now worth £2.7bn ($3.42bn) - and said it was on its way to unlocking a £264m opportunity within the coming three years.