Confectionery

Richard Parson. Pic: Fudge Kitchen

Appointments

Fudge Kitchen appoints Richard Parson as new MD

By Anthony Myers

UK artisanal confectionery brand has announced it has appointed Richard Parson as its new managing director after founder and previous MD Siân Holt stepped down last year due to illness.

No more logistical nightmares with AI, if used properly, confectionery leaders were informed at a recent conference. Pic: GettyImages

Artificial Intelligence - special report

How AI can improve product quality and consumer experience in confectionery

By Anthony Myers

Two of the standout sessions at the NCA’s recent State of the Industry Conference covered ‘The transformative power of AI for business and personal use,' where experts unlocked the secrets of artificial intelligence to help brands stay ahead of the...

Getting the ball rolling in Indianapolis - Nassau Candy announces new innovations. Pic: Nassau Candy

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024

Nassau Candy set to add extra colour to Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024

By Anthony Myers

The Sweets & Snacks Expo is the premier showcase in the US for the confectionery, candy, and snacking industries and an ideal space for brands and companies to launch new products and reveal the latest innovations.

Pic: NCSA

Industry voices

NCSA names 2024 Candy Hall of fame inductees

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA), which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, has named its 2024 Candy Hall of Fame inductees. They will be honoured in a ceremony on October 26 in Orlando, Florida.

Ralf Hilpuesch. Pic: Ritter Sport

Appointments

Ritter Sport USA appoints Ralf Hilpuesch as CEO

By Anthony Myers

Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG, owner of the popular chocolate brand Ritter Sport, is to establish a United States subsidiary headed by confectionery industry veteran Ralf Hilpuesch.

Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: Better-for-you confectionery

The sweet truth: Embracing better-for-you confectionery for a healthier future

By Anthony Myers

In an era of rising health consciousness, the confectionery industry finds itself at a crossroads. Traditionally associated with indulgence and guilty pleasures, confectionery products are now undergoing a transformation to meet the demands of a more...

John Downs (right) mingles with attendees at this year's SOTIC in Miami. Pic: NCA

SOTIC 2024

Downs: US confectionery is robust enough to survive and thrive

By Anthony Myers

Confectionery’s resilience in the face of global inflationary pressures and the rising costs of raw materials has lifted John Downs, the National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) president and CEO, who said he is confident the category is in excellent...

Pic: Moo Free

Seasonal

Moo Free extends Easter range with three new products

By Anthony Myers

UK vegan chocolate brand has expanded its best-selling Easter collection with the launch of three new products: the White Bunnycomb Crunch Easter, Moofreesas Organic Egg, and Easter Egg Hunt Kit.

Pic: Hershey

Easter 2024

Hershey provides a mini twist on Easter favourite

By Anthony Myers

Hershey is hitting Easter with its Reese's Peanut Butter Mini Eggs Unwrapped, a poppable sensation that adds a touch of innovation to the cherished seasonal traditions.

Hershey's limited edition SHE bar. Pic: Hershey Company

International Women's Day

Hershey's limited-edition SHE bar returns for fourth year

By Anthony Myers

Hershey has announced it is marking International Women's Day (Friday, 8 March) and Women's History Month with limited-edition Hershey's SHE bars highlighting the impact of women and girls from all walks of life.

Nestlé finishes the year on a disappointing financial note after reporting its full-year 2023 results. Pic: Nestlé

Financial Results

KitKat gives Nestlé a break after sales dip

By Anthony Myers

KitKat, once again, proved to be Nestlé’s most resilient confectionery treat recording strong growth across all regions in what was otherwise a disappointing full-year results report for 2023 with lower than expected sales due to high inflation and lower...

Pic: NCSA

Industry voices

NCSA to oversee this year’s Kettle Awards

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has announced it is organising the prestigious 77th Kettle Awards with a ceremony on Tuesday, 14 May, to coincide with the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis.

Ferrero has expanded its portfolio of brands. Pic: Ferrero Group

Financial results

US acquisition and organic growth boost Ferrero’s turnover

By Anthony Myers

The Ferrero Group said it is continuing its growth trajectory with a 21% increase in turnover to €17 billion ($18.25bn) and a 14% rise in its global workforce to 47,212 employees, following the recent successful strategic acquisition of North of ice cream...

Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Love me do: Americans want sweet treats for Valentine’s Day

By Anthony Myers

Chocolate and candy's role as a social currency has been reinforced during the Valentine’s Day season in the US, with 92% of Americans claiming they plan to share confectionery with friends, family, and loved ones.

Barry Callebaut said it has taken 'significant' refinancing measures to address rising cocoa prices. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Financial Results

Shift towards private-label chocolate steadies Barry Callebaut's sales

By Anthony Myers

According to analysts, Barry Callebaut has posted a slight rise in sales volumes in three months to the end of November ahead of a challenging and overall declining chocolate confectionery market due to inflation that is squeezing household budgets.

Ekachai Savetsomphob. Pic: ISM

ProSweets/ISM 2024

Thai confectionery market recognised at ISM 2024

By Anthony Myers

Ekachai Savetsomphob, Managing Director of Sino-Pacific, Thailand’s largest food and snack imported is being honoured with the ISM Award 2024 for his contribution and fluence in the development of the market in Southeast Asia.

Career path: Pic: GettyImages

Mentorship

NCA announces its 2024 Future Leaders class

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the eight confectionery industry professionals selected for its 2024 Future Leadership Programme.

Pic: EXBERRY Colors

ProSweets Cologne 2024

EXBERRY to showcase plant-based colours at ProSweets Cologne

By Anthony Myers

GNT, the company behind EXBERRY food colors, will demonstrate how its plant-based, sustainable portfolio can help maximize product appeal for manufacturers at ProSweets Cologne, which runs this year from 28-31 January.

The chocolate, confectionery, and bakery industry has adapted to demands for more healthy sweet treats. Pic: Getty Images

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

How confectionery embraced ‘healthy indulgence’

By Anthony Myers

Consumers are increasingly focusing on their health without compromising on taste, which is why healthy indulgence has become a serious trend. Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z) are looking for foods and beverages that are tasty, good for you,...

Pic: GettyImages

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Food emotions can play a crucial part in healthy indulgence

By Anthony Myers

The notion of ‘healthy indulgence’ represents a shift of emphasis – and an exciting opportunity – for confectioners, chocolatiers, and bakers who are only too well aware that consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and interested in sugar...

Pic: Mars Wrigley

M&M’S Cookie Dough hits the shelves across Australia

By Anthony Myers

Brand owner Mars Wrigley is rolling out a new flavour ‘world-first’ innovation across Australia this month, combining consumers’ love of chocolate & cookie dough into one bite-sized treat.

'People will always want to treat themselves,' new research into chocolate trends reveals. Pic: GettyImages

Trends

The shape and taste of chocolate in 2024 – what to expect …

By Anthony Myers

Chocolate confectionery is a significant market, expected to be worth over $128 billion (130 billion Euro) in global retail sales by the end of 2024. With a volume growth of +2% over the next 5 years to 2027, it is also a dynamic market, so what trends...

ProSweets Cologne is set to attract over 250 exhibitors from over 25 countries at next year's event. Pic: Koelnmesse

ProSweets Cologne 24

ProSweets Cologne focuses on the reformulation of sweets and snacks

By Anthony Myers

More than 30 ingredients specialists are set to attend ProSweets Cologne, the supplier fair that runs along side ISM sweets and snacks trade show, to offer natural and sustainable solutions that contain less sugar or carry a clean label declaration.

Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Oh! Oh! Oh! Is there a right way to eat a candy cane?

By Anthony Myers

There’s no more evident sign that the winter holidays are here than the emergence of candy canes on store shelves in the US – but what is the “right” way to eat them? It’s a fun question that always gets American consumers in a twist, so here goes …

Nestlé's former factory at Fawdon, in north east England. Pic: Nestlé

Manufacturing

Bakery company buys former Nestlé factory in Fawdon

By Anthony Myers

The former Nestlé factory at Fawdon, Newcastle, due to shut at the end of December, has been bought by British baker Country Style Foods, which makes bread, cakes and baked goods, it has been revealed.

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