Ferrero North America, one of the fastest-growing confection manufacturers in the U.S.A., has revealed new products and seasonal offerings, including Kinder Chocolate, at the Annual Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago.
The announcement reinforced Ferrero's focus on category growth through product innovations and expanded offerings from its power brands to build excitement among retailers, the industry, and consumers.
"Over the past five years, Ferrero has launched several disruptive, top-tier innovations in the market, such as Kinder Joy, Kinder Bueno, Ferrero Rocher Tablets, as well as seasonal products that have delivered incremental sales, units and profitability to the confections category," said Jim Klein, Chief Customer Officer, Ferrero USA.
"With this year's lineup, our customers and consumers should expect the same level of disruptive innovation that will continue to deliver incremental sales and units by attracting new consumers, enabling Ferrero to continue growing the confections category."
Kinder Chocolate, arriving in U.S.A. stores this August, is a milk chocolate bar with creamy, milky filling crafted for kids, loved and shared by all. This treat is the next hit from a growing Kinder power brand that has reached more than USD 500 million in retail sales since it came to America.
In 2017, Ferrero introduced the unique treat-and-toy Kinder Joy to parents in the U.S.A, and it is now the number one selling mainstream chocolate innovation in the last five years.
The more upscale, ‘everyday premium’ bar Kinder Bueno made its U.S. debut in 2019 and has since grown into a $209 million brand in North America, reaching more than 13 million households. In 2020, Kinder launched seasonal chocolate items, which have been steadily growing year over year.
"Kinder, Tic Tac and our other iconic brands continue to excite current fans and attract new ones with smart, quality innovations," said Catherine Bertrac, Senior Vice President of Marketing Kinder and Mainstream Chocolate at Ferrero USA.
"We are thrilled to bring new treats like Kinder Chocolate to America and continue building on our tremendous momentum."
New products in the confectionery brand’s range include Kinder Chocolate Mini Friends and Ferrero Rocher Golden Eggs.
Its most recent innovation's positive feedback and success have continued to drive Ferrero to expand and invest in its range in the United States. A new chocolate processing facility and a Kinder Bueno production line are being constructed at the company's manufacturing centre in Bloomington, IL. An Innovation Center, including new research and development labs, is set to open this year in Chicago's historic Marshall Field Building.
In addition to innovations, Ferrero is sharing its expertise in sustainability at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago. As part of NCA's Supplier Showcase education sessions, Packaging Sustainability Manager Jeffrey Herron and Vice President of Institutional Affairs Kelly Smith will present Ferrero's approach to packaging and recycling in the United States on the Innovation Stage.
