UK chocolatier Thorntons has reported increased sales in the third quarter as its focus on the commercial channel drove performance over Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter.
Consumers in New Zealand are spending more on healthier and ethical chocolate variants - a move that has aided growth in the burgeoning sector, an analyst says.
Premium chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli has reached a deal with market expansion services group DKSH to strengthen its position in the Singapore where demand for premium chocolate is rising.
Mondelez International’s Cadbury India has introduced a two-week promotion on Toblerone in most modern retailers in a bid to grow the premium chocolate category.
Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli will invest €70m ($90m) to expand its factory in the South of France to up its capacity for premium tablet ranges.
Lindt & Sprüngli’s operating profit rose 10.3% in 2012 and the company has declared itself “partially unaffected” by the continuing economic downturn as consumers still seek quality chocolate in tough times.
Market analysts Frost & Sullivan expects the South African chocolate market to grow 10% per annum in the next five years driven by rising incomes and locally-sourced premium products.
Two major chocolate brands have been launched in block format as Mars Chocolate unveils Maltesers Teasers and Lindt introduces Lindor single serve bars.
Barry Callebaut has developed a formula to reduce the bitterness of high cocoa chocolate using green coffee that doesn’t give a coffee taste and ups antioxidant content.
Affordable gourmet confectionery is on the rise in the US, according to the National Confectioners Association (NCA) which has seen a hike in demand from exhibitors wanting to showcase products in the Gourmet Marketplace at the 16th Sweet & Snacks...
Taura Natural Ingredients’ newly launched gourmet fruit inclusion range plugs convenience, shelf-life and health for the artisanal baker, its marketing manager says.
Confectioners must position themselves in the premium or value segment or face sales meltdown as consumers alter spending habits, according to Rabobank.
The cardboard packaging market will continue to be driven by ecological aspects for 2013 but also increased interest in special effects, the CEO of PAWI Packaging says.
UK premium chocolate firm Thorntons has restored sales growth in its second quarter trading update as its focus shift from own-stores to commercial sales pays dividends.
Lindt & Sprüngli recorded strong sales growth in 2012 and could prove an attractive “end game” acquisition for fellow Swiss confectioner Nestlé, according to one analyst.
Wrigley UK is expecting an additional £12m ($19.3m) in sales by introducing smaller sized bottle packs for chewing gum that are more affordable for consumers.
Premium chocolate will help the Ukrainian confectionery market return to growth despite sugar confectionery currently proving the more popular category, according to an analyst Leatherhead Food Research.
Chocolate manufacturers can grow further in India with premium products after already opening up the market to low-income consumers, according to an analyst.
Chocolate manufacturers must invest in luxury and premium to drive sales in developed economies but dedicate focus on distribution and mid-priced products for emerging markets, an analyst says.
The premium end of the market will help the new owners of Australian confectioner Darrell Lea differentiate themselves from market leaders Mars and Kraft, according to a market analyst.
ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) Cocoa has extended its Unicao range of cocoa liquors produced from Ivory Coast cocoa beans, for use in premium milk and dark chocolate products.
Cargill’s drive to secure a good quality and sustainable supply of cocoa beans is filtering down to famers in Cote d'Ivoire as it has just made premium payments totalling more than US $2.2m.
In a move said to be aimed at bolstering its premium confectionery packaging unit and allowing wider European expansion, RLC packaging has acquired Swiss folding box manufacturer Limmatdruck/Zeiler.
Continued growth in the global confectionery market will be driven by increased demand for ethical and functional products in mature regions, and a rise in disposable income in emerging markets, according to industry analysts.
Demand is increasing for smaller chocolate blocks in the UK confectionery market, as popularity grows for indulgence products and concerns about portion sizes, says Mintel.
This week saw chocolate maker Lindt reporting strong growth across all its main regions and consolidated sales of CHF 2.58bn for its financial year 2010, with an analyst claiming the time is ripe for the firm to capitalise on recovery in consumer sentiment.
A hike in US$50 in the Fairtrade premium per metric tonne (MT) of cocoa should encourage investment in sustainable cocoa initiatives and better farming practices, claims the group behind the standard, which expects ongoing growth in Fairtrade products.
Nestlé reports that an upgrade to its premium chocolate manufacturing facility in the Samara region of Russia will transform it into a key competence centre for confectionery products in Europe.
Leading industrial chocolate supplier Barry Callebaut reported buoyant third quarter sales volume gains of 11.3 per cent, based it said upon growth in Asia-Pacific and the luxury chocolate category.
UK cellulose acetate film supplier Clarifoil has produced a new ultra-gloss white film for luxury confectionery packaging to meet the demand for differentiation in this category.
Pro Sweets, the upcoming confectionery industry trade show, will see the release of an environmentally friendly aesthetically enhanced paperboard for the premium confectionery market, says the Finnish company behind the packaging component.
A Cartonbag format for loose or wrapped confectionery is a lighter weight replacement for the plastic bag in carton box, claims its design team, which is seeking out chocolate makers to trial products with the new packaging concept.
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.
