UK market
Mars Wrigley revives classic Opal Fruit branding for a final special summer swansong
Following strong consumer demand, Mars Wrigley UK is set to bring back its much-loved Opal Fruits to British shelves for one final time after the made to make your mouth water treat sold out in a few weeks on its re-release last summer, reports Neill Barston.
Can proposals for a world first snacks tax in the UK tackle the obesity crisis?
It’s a particularly rare occasion to see confectionery making front page headline national news, but the past week has seen the emergence of a potential global first being introduced in the UK, in the form of a tax on snacks.
Cadbury’s Dairy Milk inventor competition returns to find top new chocolate
Fierce competition is expected to be faced between the three potential new flavours vying to be developed as a new variety of Dairy Milk bar as part of Cadbury’s inventor competition, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Processing, Sustainability
Major scheme from Froneri ice cream supports key UK community organisations
The fast-rising Froneri ice cream group is undertaking its first major UK community programme in partnership with three Yorkshire charities, with a series of donations set to total £180,000, writes Neill Barston.
Haribo makes £22 million investment in UK manufacturing facilities
German-founded sweets brand Haribo has made a £22m investment into its UK manufacturing operations in a bid to maintain its market leading status amid strong competition, reports Neill Barston.
Nestlé offers full launch for its vegan KitKat series amid major category growth
Several months after being initially revealed, Nestlé’s new vegan KitKat gains its full launch this week, tapping into a major area of product growth, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Sustainability
Behind the scenes: A.L.Simpkin & Co celebrates 100 years in business
Neill Barston, editor of Confectionery Production, interviews Adrian Simpkin, director of A.L. Simpkin & Co on its centenary celebrations
Love Cocoa unveils its latest summer chocolate series
The UK-based ethical chocolate brand Love Cocoa has extended its range further with a trio of limited edition Summer Bars to its line-up, writes Neill Barston.
Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Sustainability
Ferrero firm announces acquisition of Burton’s Biscuit Company
A Ferrero-related company has confirmed an agreement worth a reported £360 million to acquire British business Burton’s Biscuit Company from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board.
Polish group Colian targets expansion with UK division for Lily O’Brien’s and Elizabeth Shaw brands
The Polish-headquartered Colian food group is launching a dedicated UK division, targeting a doubling of its business to £50 million over five years in combining sales and distribution of its confectionery brands including Lily O’Brien’s and Elizabeth Shaw, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory
Cadbury’s move urging support for chocolatiers is vital
Conventional wisdom on marketing strategy dictates that attention is largely focused on encouraging consumers to want more or engage more with a certain product or brand, yet in these strange days we inhabit, these rules are now being broken.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cadbury encourages consumers not to buy its Dairy Milk and back UK chocolatiers
In a highly unusual move, Cadbury has urged UK consumers not to buy its Dairy Milk Bars for their next confectionery treat, and instead support local chocolatiers, who have been under particular pressure amid the pandemic, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Fox’s Glacier mints and Poppets gain major brand overhaul amid group acquisition
A major relaunch for two of the UK’s renowned sweets brands – Fox’s Glacier mints and Poppets has been unveiled, focused on a packaging brand upgrade, as its parent group is acquired by Bain Capital, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Sustainability
Mars extends its confectionery series with orange maltesers biscuits
Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats (MCD&T) has unveiled the latest entrant for its range in the form of Orange Maltesers Biscuits.