Marketing

Private label chocolate quality improving all the time, says Ashbury Chocolates CEO

Industry Voices: Private label purveyor

Ashbury Chocolates chief spells out trends in private label chocolate

By Oliver Nieburg

Private label chocolate is no longer a cheap replica of branded products and regular audits from supermarkets are helping quality grow, according to the CEO of UK private label chocolatier Ashbury Chocolates.

Cémoi says it is an expert in chocolate due to its wider involvement

ISM 2013 Cologne

Cémoi: The advantages of working from bean to bar

By Kacey Culliney

Working from beans to chocolate or farmer to consumer brings with it a lot of advantages – including strong sector knowledge and the ability to identify and respond to market trends, says Cémoi.

Wrigley's Skittles rules the roost on Facebook

Top 20 candy brands on Facebook

By Oliver Nieburg

Which confectionery brands rank highest on Facebook? Data from SocialBakers.com breaks down the countries where fans are based, giving candy makers valuable insights into product popularity in global markets and a point of comparison to rival products.

Zetar shifts seasonal focus after 2012 profit slump

Zetar shifts seasonal focus after 2012 profit slump

By Oliver Nieburg

UK confectioner Zetar plans to shift its focus on seasonal products to branded and private label sales after suffering a 17.5% profit decline in 2012. Its chairman also plans to stand-down.

Ferrara Pan product portfolio

Ferrara Candy Company to close two sites after merger

By Oliver Nieburg

US confectioners Farley’s & Sathers and Ferrara Pan have announced plans to shut a manufacturing facility and a packaging and distribution plant following the two firms’ merger to become the Ferrara Pan Candy Company.

Katie Price (Jordan) Source: Twitter

Mars cleared by ad watchdog in Twitter marketing ploy

By Oliver Nieburg

The Uk’s Advertsiting Standards Authority (ASA) said Mars did not breach marketing regulations in its Snickers twitter campaign featuring footballer Rio Ferdinand and glamour model Katie Price.

A consumer group alleges Strauss' Cow Chocolate is more expensive than leading brands in other countries

Strauss faces chocolate price hike accusation in Israel

By Oliver Nieburg

Israel’s antitrust authority has received a complaint alleging that the country’s number two food manufacturer The Strauss Group is exploiting its monopoly on the domestic chocolate market by overcharging consumers.

Cloetta divests Belgian operation

Cloetta divests Belgian operation

By Oliver Nieburg

Scandinavian confectioner Cloetta has announced the sale of its Belgian distribution business to German firm Katjes International.

Thorntons plans store closures as profits slump

Thorntons plans store closures as profits slump

By Oliver Nieburg

UK chocolatier Thorntons has suffered a 63% decline in profits in its half yearly report and intends to close almost half of its own stores and focus on commercial retail sales.