AI - like having a crystal ball for flavour trends
Ahead of Flavorcon 2024 in October, we take a look at one of the most exciting innovations in flavour creation: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Financial Journalism
Anthon Berg broadens appeal to win over Gen Z market
Discover how the Danish chocolatier plans to stay relevant with the next generation of sweet lovers as the company unveils a new positioning strategy for the Nordic market.
Sustainability in confectionery: Six ways to drive a greener future
Mondelēz’s State of Snacking Report 2024 found that more than two-thirds of snacking consumers purposefully choose brands that align with their values, with consumers increasingly prioritizing ethical brands.
What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Cadbury to Smart Sweets
Keeping up to date with the latest innovations and industry initiatives is essential for staying ahead in the fast-paced world of confectionery manufacturing.
What the Mondelēz investment in Pakistan tells us about export opportunities in the region
Chocolate and snacking giant, Mondelēz International, is investing $5 million into its Pakistan business. Mondelēz Pakistan, a subsidiary of Mondelēz International, will use this cash injection to grow its local presence in the country and increase its export capabilities.
Mars-owned Hotel Chocolat opens 25 new stores
Newly-acquired Hotel Chocolat is expanding its physical store presence across UK in retail parks and on high streets. News of Mars buying the premium chocolate brand first emerged in November 2023.
Cocoa crisis: Ghana’s output almost halves
Amid a third difficult season for cocoa farmers, the latest figures on cocoa output fail to stave off ongoing worries from within the sector. With the current harvest almost complete, Ghana’s cocoa output is more than half its average, the country’s government-led cocoa board Cocobod reports.
How to turn summer into a season of boosted sales
As far as seasonal confectionery trends go, in the west there have traditionally been four big times of the year when the sweet brands’ sales soar: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloweenand Christmas.
Should you be marketing on the metaverse?
From sponsorship to social media, advertising to pop-ups, a key factor in growing a confectionery brand is building an emotional connection with consumers.
What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Nestle to Swizzels
In the rapidly evolving world of confectionery manufacturing, staying updated on the latest innovations and industry initiatives is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.
Are sweeteners leaving a sour taste with consumers?
When asked how they hope to improve their diets, the number one factor consumers report wanting to address is their sugar consumption.
Inside Mars Wrigley's strategy to tap emerging global markets
With $22bn of sales, Mars Wrigley maintained its title of the world’s biggest confectionery firm in 2023 by a comfortable margin.
Surging demand for specialty fats: Sustainable alternatives to cocoa butter and palm oil
Specialty fats and oils, (sometimes called alternative fats and oils) are increasingly being used as substitutes for more traditionally used confectionery ingredients such as cocoa butter, butter, milk fats and palm oil.
How much progress has really been made on sustainable palm oil production?
Half of all consumer goods use palm oil. It’s a hugely versatile commodity with qualities such as shelf stability, a lack of odour, and colour and temperature resistance, making it a key ingredient for confectioners.
Is the nostalgia trend marketing code for a lack of new ideas?
Any good product developer or marketer knows you should listen to your customers and appeal to their tastes. And confectionery brands worldwide seem pretty eager to appeal to the Gen X demographic right now through wholesome nostalgia that transports them back to their childhoods.
How to get ready for halloween 2024
As consumers shop for summer-inspired sweets, the next big confectionery season, manufacturers should already be focussed on halloween. New product launches, formulation updates and engaging marketing campaigns are all opportunities for brands to connect and engage with halloween-loving shoppers.
Five ways AI is transforming the confectionery sector
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the science of making machines like computers and production equipment think like humans and it is transforming manufacturing.
What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Oreo to Barratt
B Corp British brand Love Cocoa that was founded by Cadbury descendant James Cadbury has launched two new bars into high end retailers in the UK.
Six things generation alpha consumers want
Generation alpha otherwise known as the adolescent demographic, is the first generation born entirely in the 21st century. Around 2.5 million gen alphas are born every week. By 2029, the demographic’s economic footprint is anticipated to be $5.46 trillion (€5.1 trillion), nearly as much as millennials and gen zers' spending power combined.
What can producers learn from Barry Callebaut’s €700 million funding?
As the chocolate giant behind a whole host of confectionery brands, including Carma, Mona Lisa, and Sicao, announced its multi-million-dollar financing deal earlier this month, it raised the question of what the leading chocolate company could be planning.
Is high inflation squeezing new ingredient opportunities into sugar and confectionery?
The UK's sugar and chocolate confectionery inflation levels remain high despite the lowest food and beverage rates since October 2021. Grocery inflation levels decreased to 2.4% in May 2024, Kantar Worldpanel reported, continuing a downward trend that has seen figures decrease 15 months in a row.
‘Greedflation’ muddies the food industry’s financial landscape
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, the food and non-alcoholic beverage industry has been battling rising and stubborn inflation rates, tightening the squeeze on consumer spending.
Data on European inflation (in the euro area) indicates it has dropped from its peak of 10.6% in October 2022 to 2.9% in October 2023. However, food inflation was 7.4% in October 2023, Eurostat confirmed.
Data on European inflation (in the euro area) indicates it has dropped from its peak of 10.6% in October 2022 to 2.9% in October 2023. However, food inflation was 7.4% in October 2023, Eurostat confirmed.
Food industry enters a ‘new era for pricing’
Consumer behaviour advisory company Circana unveiled its latest food industry insights, detailing changing consumer spending patterns and sales of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
Balancing spending with sustainability: How is consumer behaviour changing amid cost-of-living pressures and global warming?
Consulting company Ernst & Young (EY) has published its 13th Future Consumer Index (FCI) results, identifying changing consumer behaviours and spending patterns amid the cost of living and climate change crises. The ongoing cost of living crisis is placing stress on already-stretched consumer budgets and climate change is driving consumers towards more sustainable purchases.
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