The seasonal launch is dead. What comes next?
Faster trend cycles, retailer demands and shrinking product lifecycles are reshaping food and beverage innovation
Yildiz Holding
From Nestlé to Mars: Why Big Food is embracing contract manufacturing
Outsourcing becomes a priority as CPGs seek greater flexibility, speed and resilience
From Nestlé to Ferrero: Big Food’s consolidation boom
Big Food’s biggest players are using acquisitions and strategic investments to fuel growth and expand their influence, and it’s reshaping the future of the industry
Pladis ramps up regenerative agriculture to safeguard critical supplies
Maker of McVitie’s, Turtles and Godiva unveils new regenerative farming initiative to strengthen supply chains
Barry Callebaut assesses cocoa threat as El Niño intensifies
World’s biggest chocolate producer weighs in on cocoa market concerns as UN issues El Niño warning
Gen Alpha and Beta: Confectionery’s next battleground
Freeze-dried sweets, bold flavours, Roblox activations and AI-powered engagement – the forces reshaping confectionery innovation as brands look beyond Gen Z
Confectionery’s innovation dilemma: Doing more with less
Rising costs, changing consumer demands and fast-moving trends are reshaping confectionery innovation. But what does it take to stand out?
2,000+ supply ships stranded: Iran war puts food security at risk
What started as an energy shock is fast becoming a food crisis, with stranded cargoes and fertiliser shortages threatening global supply chains
‘More is more’ spells the end for low and no
Low and no loses its shine as consumers reject restriction in favour of real ingredients, richer flavours, and products that prioritise pleasure
Confectionery sales surge as market races towards $295bn
Confectionery sales are soaring. But what’s driving growth and which brands are best positioned for the future?
The Big One: Cyberattack that could cripple food and drink
Cyberattacks are closing in on the food and drink sector, and the next one could be catastrophic. Is the industry ready for The Big One?
Confectionery sector braced for shortages as Iran conflict escalates
As conflict disrupts key trade routes and energy supplies, the confectionery sector is among the first to feel the strain. How vulnerable are manufacturers, and what can be done to protect the industry?
Industry, brace for change: Momentum builds behind Global Plastics Treaty
After negotiations failed to finalise a global treaty on plastic pollution last year, new hope is on the horizon
Confectionery market to hit $278bn by 2032 as candy sales surge
The confectionery market is entering a new growth phase, driven by evolving consumer preferences, seasonal demand, and innovation in non-chocolate formats
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Chocolate brands cash in on America’s largest candy and snack trade show
The 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo became a launch pad for companies looking to crack the US confectionery market with new products from Colombia’s Vivamor, Canada’s Lovo Chocolate, along with reboots of classic brand Godiva and a new partnership deal for...
M&As
pladis completes integration of GODIVA chocolates, with Steve Lesnard as president
Premium chocolate brand GODIVA joins the pladis portfolio of iconic brands after a process that started in 2023. Prior to its integration, GODIVA Company was acquired in 2008 by pladis’ parent company, Yıldız Holding of Türkiye.
Nigeria’s leading biscuit company rebrands to capitalize on the global recognition of McVitie’s
A&P Foods Limited has rebranded as pladis Foods Nigeria to align with the corporate branding and global standing of the McVitie’s maker.
Godiva CEO says premium chocolates remain ‘very resilient’ ahead of Valentine's Day
The Valentine's Day candy season is poised for growth in 2023 with year-over-year sales expected to grow 5% to around $4bn, despite rising inflation and supply chain issues, according to the National Confectioners Association.
Marketing
‘Captain America’ drafted in to launch new Godiva chocolate campaign
Luxury Belgian chocolatier Godiva has announced that Hollywood actor Chris Evans will be the voice of a new global advertising and marketing campaign that starts this month.
Godiva: Self-care, pandemic-strain fuel surge in Valentine’s Day chocolate sales as licensing deals reinforce year-long demand
Historically people have celebrated Valentine’s Day by sharing sweets with others they love, but the pandemic-fueled rise of ‘self-care’ means more people also will treat themselves this year – helping push confection sales leading up to the holiday...
Seasonal
US chocolate brands spread the love this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is known as the ‘chocolate event’ for US consumers and the big confectionery companies are going to town with their marketing and advertising campaign head of 14 February.
Premium
GODIVA expands its licensing portfolio in North America
New Brand Partners include Boardwalk Frozen Treats, Jimmy's Gourmet Bakery, Le Vian Chocolate Diamonds, and Cookies United.
Podcast
GODIVA’s bid to capture America’s heartland - LISTEN
Nurtac Afridi talks to CN about the steps she has taken to transform GODIVA’s business during her first year as CEO.
Coronavirus
Godiva shuts up shop in North America and Canada
‘Waning demand’ caused by the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in luxury chocolatier Godiva announcing it will close all its retail outlets in North America and Canada by the end of March this year.
Godiva to sell select assets to MBK Partners to fuel business growth
Godiva Chocolatier, owned by Yildiz Holding, is selling select assets to MBK Partners as part of a global strategy to grow the business fivefold.
Execs on the move
Ferrero and Godiva appoint new executives to lead government affairs and marketing units
Confectioners, Ferrero and Godiva, have named new executives to lead their government affairs and marketing teams, according to two separate announcements recently.
Business news
Yildiz preparing to sell Godiva's Japanese business, reports
Reuters say that sources close to the company claim process expected to start in weeks, a day after rival Hotel Chocolat announced plans to move into Japan.
pladis CEO steps down
The McVitie’s and Carrs biscuit maker has announced that Cem Karakaş is stepping down as CEO with immediate effect due to ‘family health reasons.’
Exec on the move
Godiva appoints former Burberry exec as new chief financial officer
Godiva Chocolatier has appointed Virginie Costa as its new chief financial officer, effective August 6, 2018.
3D chocolate and lollipops
3D chocolate heads: Godiva Chocolatier taps into personalization gifting market
Godiva Chocolatier has collaborated with e-commerce startup Candy Mechanics to create personalized chocolate cards and lollipops made from 3D printed molds of human’s heads.
News in brief
Former Shake Shack exec to lead Godiva Chocolatier’s technology and digital innovation
Godiva Chocolatier has named Phil Crawford as its chief technology officer, from immediate effect.
Executives on the move
Pladis hires former PepsiCo exec to build ‘commercial powerhouse’
Pladis has appointed Dmitry Ivanov (Dima) to its newly created global position of chief commercial officer.
Sustainability
Mars, Mondelēz and Ferrero yet to fully commit to deforestation-free cocoa worldwide - Mighty Earth
Environmental nonprofit Mighty Earth has found large chocolate companies have made 'very strong' commitments in policy and practices to reduce deforestation on their cocoa farms in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire but the level of engagement does not cover all...
Lindt and Godiva expand retail networks
Two of the major players in premium chocolate have expanded their own-store networks this month.
People on the move
pladis taps ex-KP Snacks CEO to lead UK & Irish business
McVitie’s and Godiva brand owner pladis has appointed the former CEO of KP Snacks as its managing director UK & Ireland.
Godiva enters mainstream supermarkets in bid to become $2bn brand
Premium chocolate brand Godiva has partnered with supermarkets in the UK, North America and other major markets to enter mainstream retail.
Pladis to expand Godiva, DeMet’s and McVitie’s in US with new NY office
Pladis, the global confectionery unit of Turkish conglomerate Yildiz Holding, will expand to a new office in White Plains, New York, on Sept 29, 2017.
pladis and Unite advance UK government’s apprenticeship plan
McVitie’s maker pladis and Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest trade union, have signed an Engineering Apprenticeship Agreement to facilitate the recruitment of 50 apprentices into engineering roles at pladis by 2020.
Godiva Chocolate names former Starbucks, PepsiCo exec as CEO
Godiva Chocolate has named Annie Young-Scrivner as its new CEO, taking effect on Sept. 14, 2017.
Biscuits are capitalizing on the health trend, especially among seniors, says pladis
The biscuit category changed in Britain in 2016 amid consumer demand for healthier indulgences, Steve Gladwell, CMI director of pladis tells BakeryandSnacks.
Interview - Pladis Americas MD
'Hello we're pladis': Godiva and McVitie’s set for big US push
Pladis is aiming to become a major player in US premium chocolate with Godiva and will bring McVitie’s biscuits to the country next year, says its America's MD.
Interpack 2017
Pladis appoints Bosch as favored technology supplier
United Biscuits owner Pladis signed a preferred supplier agreement with Bosch Packaging Technology at Interpack 2017.
Ülker plots geographic expansion with new parent pladis
Turkish confectioner Ülker is aiming to become the leader in Egypt’s biscuit market and hopes to expand in the Middle East & North Africa, Central Asia, Russia and China through recent acquisitions.
Ülker in talks to secure MENA rights for McVitie’s
Ülker Bisküvi Sanayi A.Ş is in talks to acquire rights to McVitie’s products in Middle East and North Africa.
NPD
Godiva taps single origin chocolate sector with G by Godiva
Pladis-owned Godiva Chocolatier has introduced a Mexican single origin range to its boutiques and select retail partners in North America.
Pladis reports 28% sales uplift with McVitie’s impulse trial
United Biscuits owner pladis has reported a sales boost from a field sales and merchandizing fixture initiative for its McVitie’s biscuits brand in UK convenience stores.
Ferrero aims to ease North America struggles by acquiring Delacre: Analyst
Ferrero has reportedly made a bid to acquire Belgian biscuits and pastries manufacturer Delacre in a move one analyst says could support a push for North America and reduce its reliance on chocolate.
United Biscuits North America MD Francheterre to lead Tangerine Confectionery
United Biscuits Europe and North America managing director Anthony Francheterre has been named CEO of Tangerine Confectionery.
Pladis: Yildiz consolidates Godiva, Ulker, UB and DeMet's into new global business
Yildiz Holding is bringing together its core confectionery and bakery businesses to form new global company Pladis.
UB extends waste oil fuelled trucks
United Biscuits (UB), the manufacturer of biscuits, cakes and snacks, has extended an industry leading initiative that makes use of waste cooking oil to power its delivery vehicles.