Nestle has opened a chocolate research centre in Switzerland to inspire new formulations, product concepts and packaging designs in the luxury segment.
UK supermarket Tesco says it has seen sales of its premium, organic and fair-trade products return to growth this year, as special offers on top notch goods convince shoppers that they are good value for money.
Meeting criteria to quickly, and delicately, overwrap luxury chocolates in various format sizes, UK firm Marden Edwards employed their latest individual large format pack overwrapper for Polish confectionery manufacturer Mieszko.
Chewing gum giant Wrigley will target the premium category in the UK’s competitive gum market, rolling-out its “sense-stimulating, edgy” 5 gum for “stylish consumers”.
Investing in automation technology in the food manufacturing industry could enhance productivity by around 10 percent, according to Beckhoff Automation, which recently presented its technology to industry.
Meeting growing demand for premium chocolate packed in carton, Netherland's Lareka launches a new double stage tablet packer with a price tag in reach of small and medium-sized businesses.
Russian confectioner Landrin, best known for its chocolate eggs containing children’s toys, is attempting a move into the premium confectionery market for adults.
The global furore over the recent melamine contamination scandal in China appears to have driven consumers in that country increasingly towards premium and international brands, according to research group TNS Worldpanel.
Consumers’ wallets in Europe may be taking a hit, but investment in premium chocolate ploughs on with luxury products taking centre stage at this week's Salon du Chocolat in Paris.
While the food inflation rate continues to gallop ahead in the eurozone, observers speculate as to whether premium chocolate products could help confectionery firms ride the storm.
In recent years there has been an increasing trend towards healthy
and premium confectionery products, aimed at making consumers feel
better about the treats they eat and giving them a taste of luxury
and sophistication.
The All Candy Expo currently taking place in Chicago is
highlighting gourmet, premium and organic products, which
organisers say is the fastest growing segment in the confectionery
and snack market.
Global confectioner Nestle today announced the establishment of a
research and development (R&D) facility dedicated entirely to
dark and premium chocolate.
In confectionery news this week, Woolworths secures sweet supplier
EUK with a loan deal, confectionery product launches outnumber
other food categories, and dark chocolate continues to prove
popular with manufacturers.
Strong sales of premium and dark products have led Lindt &
Spruengli to predict that full year revenue for 2007 will hit
CHF 2.95bn (€1.8bn), a 14 per cent increase from the year before.
UK confectionery firm Zetar today said it is expanding its range of
luxury and premium products thanks to the acquisition of Lir
Chocolates in Ireland.
Swiss-based food giant Nestle today announced going into
partnership with Belgian company Pierre Marcolini, as the company
aims to move further into the premium and luxury chocolate market.
Natra said yesterday it will tap the premium and private label
chocolate markets with a new range of Belgium truffles, only two
days after acquiring a chocolate factory in the country.
Agricultural group Bioversity International has begun a new project
on sustainable and organic farming - designed to benefit both
producers of gourmet single-origin chocolate and cocoa farmers in
Nicaragua.
US based chocolate giant Hershey may have successfully taken
advantage of the consumer trend for dark chocolate but work still
remains to be done to reinvigorate core brands.
European ingredients firm Puratos is the latest company to tap into
the trend towards product traceability with a new range of
origin-specific chocolates hailing from prime cocoa growing areas.
Food and beverage firms making premium products will cope best with
the current surge in price of both Chinese and imported sugar, with
higher margins to cover the rise in costs.
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has committed itself to providing its
customers with the premium cocoa ingredients they require by
announcing plans for a new production facility.
Food producers are flogging the term 'premium' for all it's worth,
threatening to flood a market that relies on exclusivity for its
success with well-packaged tat.
Key to successful premium chocolate product development is an
understanding of the varying consumer habits, expectations and
behaviour in different countries, according to leading Swiss
premium chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli.
Leading premium chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli has
reported record first half results on the back of increased demand
for premium products in an otherwise slow-moving European chocolate
market.
Russian confectionery group Mechta has launched a new premium
product line - the latest in a growing number of local producers
entering an upmarket segment which was once the sole domain of
western companies. Angela Drujinina reports.
Western Europe's frozen food packaging sector is predicted to grow
strongly, and there will be greater emphasis on both
environmentally-friendly and premium packaging in the future,
according to a new report.
Food makers encouraged to position self-indulgent products as
rewards rather than functional as premium foods in UK top billon
euro mark showing hectic pace of life continues to drive growth in
the self-indulgent food sector.
