Seasonal

Cranberry not just for Christmas

Cranberry is no longer just for Christmas as growth in consumer demand has helped the little red berry find its way into some 900 brand new products this year -...

News briefs: gum, bars and Halloween protests

Wrigley claims that chewing gum focuses the mind; Global Exchange organised a Fairtrade chocolate protest at Halloween; and the Jamaica's cocoa board says it has invented a chocolate bar that...

Chocolate sales set to rocket this Halloween

Halloween is one of the top holiday in terms of volume sales for confectioners, as consumers will spend more than $2.1bn (€1.5bn) on chocolate and sweets later this month in...

Innovation gives Valentine's market a boost

This Valentine's Day 43 per cent of British gift-buyers will opt for chocolate as the way to their other half's heart and, with spending expected to top the £2.4 billion...

Seasonal sales boost Thorntons after summer slump

Luxury chocolate maker Thorntons has seen Christmas consumers boosting the brand and providing much-needed sales after last year's summer heatwave saw confectioners struggling.

Sampling session spurs seasonal sales

UK confectionery group Tangerine, is employing new methods to boost sales of its luxury fudge and chocolate line ahead of the Christmas period.

Christmas chocolatiers go green

Ethical chocolate company Green & Black's has devised an innovative new way to raise its socially responsible profile in the confectionery industry with a unique Christmas concept.

Christmas cubes and tubes for Mars

Confectionery giant Masterfoods has begun planning early for the predicted Christmas sales boom, with new packaging designs being rolled out across a number of chocolate product ranges.

Halloween does the trick for sweet sales

Given its popularity with sweet-hungry children, Halloween has become an important trading period for confectioners.

Ethnic, organic could boost falling seasonal chocolate sales, report

Chocolate manufacturers suffering from a dip in sales of seasonal products should consider introducing products for lesser holidays, including traditionally ethnic celebrations, according to Mintel.

Seasonal spending doubles Lindt profits

A cool spring and late Easter has contributed to booming business at Swiss chocolate maker Lindt, who announced it has more than doubled its profits in the first half.

Seasonal sales boost US gourmet choc market

Seasonal Easter sales helped sell more than a quarter of America's gourmet chocolate last year, and during the next four years will help drive overall sales to nearly $1.8 billion,...

World's Finest expands its seasonal business

World's Finest Chocolate has strengthened its position in the US holiday retail market with the purchase of the Queen Anne brand from Gray and Co.

Christmas Feature

Does Christmas bring you out in bumps?

Not everyone is a fan of Christmas. For some the very thought of it brings them out in a cold sweat - or even an allergic reaction.

Christmas Feature

Evolution of the Christmas dinner

Humble pie, stuffed peacock and sugar mice have left our Christmas tables seemingly never to return. But what was it that forever pushed such dishes from our hearts and feasting?

Christmas feature

Wassail away your Christmas

Forget the family 'bored' games this Christmas. It's time to get down to the local orchard with a slice of toast, a loaded gun and a big bowl of steaming...

Cadbury's unwelcome Christmas surprise

Cadbury Schweppes has been forced to recall its Dairy Milk Miniatures advent calendars, in the UK, due to incorrect labelling.

Confectioners can no longer rely on seasonal sales boost

Confectionery companies could always count on consumers to boost sales at Christmas and other holiday seasons, but a report published by Mintel adds more support to the notion that consumer...

Decline in US seasonal chocolate sales

Seasonal chocolate sales in the US are forecast to reach $3.3bn (€2.6bn) in 2005, marking a substantial decline over the past five years, according to a new report published by...

Revamped chocolate liqueur line to bolster Christmas sales

Elizabeth Shaw, the UK confectioner, is set to exploit the burgeoning trend for luxury chocolates, launching a revamped packaging line in time to penetrate the lucrative Christmas market, Tom Armitage...

Thorntons bullish after good Christmas

Last summer's hot weather had a major impact on sales at Thorntons, the British confectionery retailer and manufacturer, but the company had a lot more to be happy about when...

Christmas comes early for Cargill

Food giant Cargill has acquired OCG Cacao, a major supplier of industrial chocolate to the European food industry. The deal, which was initially announced in September, has been completed following...

Christmas illusions from Elizabeth Shaw

Following the launch of schnapps and tequila shot chocolates last month, Elizabeth Shaw has launched its latest innovation, Illusion, a new chocolate combination for the...

Bags of horror instore this Halloween

With a marked surge in confectionery sales at Halloween Haribo Dunhills (Pontefract) has plenty of treats in store this year for retailers who want to...

Christmas boost for Cloetta

Swedish confectionery group Cloetta Fazer celebrated Christmas in style with a 5 per cent increase in fourth quarter sales to SK985 million, the company announced...