Key deal for Ritter Sport sees Tesco Express distribution move
Ritter's launch with Tesco Express is building the brand's presence in the UK further. Pic: Ritter Sport
Premium chocolate brand Ritter Sport has enhanced its UK presence further through gaining a major additional listing through Tesco stores across the region, writes Neill Barston.
The German-founded business has reported a strong performance in 2025, with the British market, particularly within travel retail showing marked process for its distinctive square lines that have gained in popularity notably.
As the company noted, from this month, its smash hit Pistachio and the iconic Dark Whole Hazelnut will be available nationwide in Tesco Express stores, as it continues to grow its portfolio.
The brand has also launched in Sainsbury’s Locals and their exceptional performance within the independent convenience channel. Ritter Sport is now extending its reach into Tesco Express, driving incremental category value via new shopper missions featuring their premium, taste-led chocolate in an on-the-go setting.
Moreover, the move follows a period of exceptional category delivery for Ritter Sport in the UK, with the brand growing 210% faster than the total block chocolate market (Nielsen ScanTrack Grocery Multiples, 52 w/e 22.03.25).
Benedict Daniels, Managing Director of Ritter Sport UK & Ireland, welcome its latest retail coup, which he believed would further help cement its position within the the British market.
The company has continued to modernise and expand its footprint through a differentiated approach to brand-building and category development, which has been bolstered by a number of new variety options that have driven consumer interest.
Commenting on the new deal, Benedict said: “This is a truly landmark evolution of our partnership with Tesco,” said Ritter Sport UK & Ireland. “Our brand performance, including key innovations such as Pistachio, is performing exceptionally well for our trade partners and consumers. Our launch into Tesco Express allows us to accelerate our incremental category value delivery for Tesco and indeed trade partners in every channel across the UK and Ireland.”
Additionally, Ritter Sport’s excellent 52-week performance contributed more than double its fair share of value growth to the total block chocolate category. In multiple major retailers, this figure rises to more than three times its fair share through a combination of optimised product ranging, greater distribution and an increased purchase frequency.
This has resulted in its highest ever weighted distribution of 50.9% in the Grocery Multiples Market, a rise of 13.5 percentage points in the past year. This means that more than 2 million UK households are now enjoying Ritter Sport (Nielsen Homescan, 52 w/e 28.12.24). With further distribution gains confirmed and a pipeline of product innovation, the brand will be adding more incremental value into the category throughout 2025.
