Department store Harrods has announced double-digit sales growth in hot chocolate, attributing the increase to product innovation and new trends.
The retailer claimed that sales growth had been sustained consistently over the last year, with seasonal peaks during holiday periods such as Easter, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Its coffee, green tea and fruit and herbal infusion categories had also grown significantly, it added, though not to the same extent as hot chocolate.
It follows the introduction of Harrods’ Couverture collection of hot chocolate and chocolate-related products, and was enhanced by flavour innovations such as salted caramel and hazelnut.
Harrods food buyer Clare Welton said: “Hot chocolate tended to be regarded as an indulgent treat, but more and more consumers are introducing it into their routine, as different flavours are introduced and the quality on offer only continues to improve. Whilst market trends are showing growth in hot chocolate and indeed malted drinks, we think the growth we’ve experienced is exceptional, driven by our innovation in the category.”
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