Manufacturers

Big in Japan? Hotel Chocolat boss Angus Thirlwell has announced a new venture with a Tokyo company. Pic: Hotel Chocolat

Investment

Can Hotel Chocolat be big in Japan on second attempt?

By Anthony Myers

Hotel Chocolat has unveiled another push into the Japanese market by signing a new deal with Tokyo-based Eat Creator Corporation to include 21 Hotel Chocolat-branded shops across the country.

Trident is one of the brands being sold by Mondelēz to Perfetti Van Melle. Pic: Mondelēz

Analyst reaction to transaction

Mondelēz sells part of gum business to rival Perfetti Van Melle for $1.3bn

By Anthony Myers

Mondelēz International has announced it has entered into definitive agreements to sell its developed-market gum business in the United States, Canada and Europe to Italian-Dutch company, and European rival, Perfetti Van Melle Group for $1.350bn.

Pic: Chocolove

Seasonal

Chocolove rings in the season with Tree-Shaped Chocolates

By Anthony Myers

Chocolove is announcing the return of its popular Tree-Shaped Bites in Pouches, which are individually wrapped, mini chocolate trees in Peppermint Crème and Hazelnut Truffle flavors, in the run-up to Christmas.

Brownie Brittle is joining the Second Nature Brands' family. Pic: Second Nature Brands

M&As

Second Nature Brands acquires Brownie Brittle

By Anthony Myers

Second Nature Brands, a US-based creator of premium, nutritional and better-for-you snacks and treats, has announced it has completed the acquisition of Brownie Brittle from Encore Consumer Capital.

Raw cacao pioneers Lovechock has a new owner. Pic: Lovechock

M&As

Lovechock eyes expansion after company takeover

By Anthony Myers

Lovechock, the Dutch raw cacao company, has been acquired by Belgian family-owned company Pauwels Engineering NV, the two parties have announced in a statement.

Pic: Hames Chocolate

Seasonal

Hames Chocolates warms up winter with new hot chocolate range

By Anthony Myers

UK B2B company Hames Chocolates has launched a new hot chocolate range for the autumn and winter months, aimed at coffee shops, in-store cafés as well as farm shops and delis wanting to satisfy their customers.

US black land-grant universities have been underfunded by at least $12.8bn over the past three decades compared to predominantly white counterparts. Pic: GettyImages/Amand Burger

Clif Bar commits $1 million to boost black equity in organic agriculture

By Gill Hyslop

The Californian better-for-you snack producer has made a $1m endowment to Tuskegee University in Alabama – a Historically Black College and University – to support the advancement of organic farming practices through the University’s College of Agriculture,...

The company also said it is also battling a volatile environment in its European market. Pic: Mondelēz International

Financial results

Mondelēz to up Cocoa Life investment on back of strong Q3 results

By Anthony Myers

Mondelēz International has announced net revenues grew 8.1% year-on-year in the third quarter this year, driven by stronger pricing and volume. The Chicago-headquartered company also raised its full-year results forecasts and announced more price hikes...

Peter Boone, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group, at the launch last month of its '2nd Generation Chocolate' innovation. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Financial results

Drop in profits at Barry Callebaut after factory shutdown earlier in year

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut caught the market by surprise by rescheduling its Full-Year Results 2021-22 analysts and media call to Tuesday instead of today (Wednesday 2 November) after the figures were published early due to an ‘unforeseen event’. The world’s largest...

Pic: Ritter Sport

NPD

Ritter Sport launches new Salted Caramel and Orange bars

By Anthony Myers

Ritter Sport has announced it is launching two new 100g flavoured bars in the UK and Ireland this autumn, Ritter Sport Salted Caramel and Ritter Sport Orange, in a bid to take an even bigger chunk of block chocolate sales.