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Check out our Easter 2021 roundup. Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Easter 2021 confectionery roundup

By Anthony Myers

In the weeks leading up to Easter, shoppers move into what Mars calls ‘the late season’, where purchases are often planned and intended to fulfil an Easter ritual such as egg hunts, baking and gifting.

With fewer social gatherings to exchange...

Lindt is planning on a better Easter in 2021. Pic: Lindt & Sprüngli

Financial results

Lindt banking on ‘pent-up’ demand as net profits fall

By Anthony Myers

Swiss premium chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli said it is aiming for 6-8% organic sales growth this year after the pandemic hits key areas of its business with net profit falling 37.5% to 320.1 million Swiss francs ($349.53 million) in 2020.

Pharrell Williams with Tony's head of Marketing, Thecla Shaeffer after the partnership announcement last year. Pic: Tony's Chocolonely

Retail

Tony’s Chocolonely pushes deeper into North America

By Anthony Myers

Dutch ethical brand Tony's Chocolonely has announced it has expanded its distribution in the US and is now available on Target.com nationwide and in select retailers across the country.

Firetree Chocolate has seen demand increasing during the pandemic. Pic: Firetree Chocolate

Investment

Firetree Chocolate secures £250k loan as demand for bean-to-bar increases

By Anthony Myers

British luxury brand, Firetree Chocolate, has secured a £250,000 MEIF loan to help meet increasing demand for its products from the UK and overseas, alongside boosting its marketing campaigns to drive sales in 2021, the Stamford-based company has announced.

LOVE bean-to-bar chocolate from ButterLove&Hardwork. Pic Chris Ford

Valentine's Day

Pastry chef creates ‘love letter to chocolate’

By Anthony Myers

Celebrity Pastry Chef and Cacao Barry Ambassador Chris Ford has launched his exclusive ButterLove&Hardwork bean-to-bar chocolate, aptly called LOVE, in time for Valentine’s Day.

Godiva is closing all its retail outlets across the US and Canada. Pic: Godiva

Coronavirus

Godiva shuts up shop in North America and Canada

By Anthony Myers

‘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.

Pic: Chocolat Madagascar

Recognition

Chocolat Madagascar bags three Great Taste Awards

By Anthony Myers

Chocolat Madagascar is celebrating winning three awards from the year’s Great Taste competition, the world’s most trusted food and drink awards from the UK.

Guittard's new 'Mindful' collection is available online and in stores. Pic: Guittard Chocolate Company

Wellbeing

Guittard Chocolate Company launches new ‘Mindful’ range

By Anthony Myers

San Francisco-based premium chocolate company Guittard has launched a new line of ‘Mindful Choices chocolate’ —designed to ‘unite the artistry of chocolate with evolving dietary awareness’.

Guittard's celebrated chocolate chips arrive in Waitrose in the UK this week. Pic: Guittard Chocolate Company

Baking

Guittard launches baking chips into Waitrose stores in UK

By Anthony Myers

San Francisco Bay Area chocolate maker, Guittard Chocolate Company, is launching its celebrated, Fairtrade certified chocolate chips into premium grocer Waitrose stores in the UK for the first time, it has announced.

Hotel Chocolat Group posts strong update, despite its retail outlets being closed for 12 weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pic: Hotel Chocolat

Financial results

Hotel Chocolat Group announces 3% revenue increase for FY20

By Anthony Myers

Premium British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat Group plc has announced revenue of £136m ($174m), an increase of 3% compared with the same period last year, despite its physical high-street outlets being shuttered for 12 weeks because of the coronavirus lockdown.