Young artisan chocolate company, Love Cocoa, is celebrating its first UK retail listing at iconic British store, Fortnum & Mason. The occasion marks nearly 200 years since the founder’s great-great grandfather, George Cadbury, secured a listing there.
Following Love Cocoa’s first 6 months of trading, growth is in sight in 2017. New flavours will be introduced to the already growing collection. Love Cocoa launched with a range of 6 bars and have since expanded to 9 bars. Three new flavours will be added by Q3 2017 due to customer demand. The new bars will be in the growing free-from market, containing no gluten, refined sugars, soya or dairy.
The company has raised funds from a private angel investor, which will allow them to move into the online personalisation market, currently dominated by Moonpig. Customers will be able to select their favourite bar online and personalise the packaging by adding messages and photos from their social media accounts. This will launch in Q2.
Imminent expansion across the shores of Japan is also on the horizon. A joint venture with a Japanese company has been signed to develop in the region following recent success at a trade show.
Future plans rest in securing further retailer listings, side by side with growing the e-commerce platform. Love Cocoa’s core online gifting service brings chocolate gifts straight through the letterbox. Love Cocoa bars are handcrafted in the UK using organic, fair trade cocoa, ethically sourced from the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. The chocolate is free from refined sugar and gluten. Other natural ingredients are supplied by independent British producers as far as possible ─ for example, Barnes & Webb honey (London), Summerdown Farms English mint (Basingstoke) and Maldon Sea Salt (Essex).
James Cadbury, Founder of Love Cocoa, says: “It’s a landmark moment to be stocking Love Cocoa in the iconic Fortnum and Mason. We’re following in the footsteps of my great-great grandfather, who did exactly the same 200 years ago. This year is set to be an exciting one as we look to grow the business and diversify our offering to match consumers’ demand for personalised products. It’s sweet history in the making.”
Source: Love Cocoa
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