Ferrero has boosted UK sales by more than £40m as shoppers continued to treat themselves to premium boxed chocolates.
Revenues for the UK and Irish operations – which includes Kinder, Thorntons, Ferrero Rocher, Ferrero Pralines, Tic Tac and Nutella – increased 10.3% to £450.1m in the year ended 31 August, with pre-tax profits up 58% to £13.6m, according to newly filed accounts.
Ferrero attributed the growth to higher volumes coupled with better product mix, which it said was mainly driven by better consumer promotions and marketing activity, along with NPD.
A Ferrero spokeswoman told The Grocer that the group was one of the fastest growing chocolate makers in the UK, tracking at +2.5% value against a wider category growth of 0.7% [Nielsen 52 w/e 21 May 2022].
“Over the recent years, the Ferrero UK and Ireland region has continued to grow from strength to strength with distinctive brands, campaigns and category leadership,” she said.
“In addition, the Ferrero Group continues to invest significantly in the UK, including the acquisition Eat Natural in 2021, to complement its strong portfolio of brands.
“We strongly believe in the UK market’s long-term potential and continue to invest in both brands, category leadership and building on our strong values in this strategic market.”
Ferrero has benefitted from accelerated demand for sharing boxes throughout the pandemic, with Ferrero Rocher registering 24% growth in value to £83.5m in 2021, according to The Grocer Top Products survey.
Kinder also saw sales rise 9% to £161.6m but the brand has been mired in controversy in 2022.
The group has recalled thousands of tonnes of Kinder products across Europe after hundreds of cases of salmonella were linked with the brand, with operations at its Belgian plant currently suspended.
In the new Companies House accounts, Ferrero said it had not yet determined the costs related to the recall.
Ferrero added it “deeply regretted” the events and continued to co-operate with food safety authorities. “This serious event goes to the core of what Ferrero stands for and the business will take every step necessary to preserve the full trust and confidence of its consumers,” it said in the accounts.
Earlier this year, the wider Ferrero Group reported a 3.4% increase in turnover to €12.3bn for the 12 months to 31 August 2021.
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