PARSIPPANY, N.J., USA – Ferrero North America, one of the fastest growing confections manufacturers in the U.S., will reveal new products and seasonal offerings including Kinder Chocolate at the Annual Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago. The announcements reinforce 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. 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 $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. and it is now the #1 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 chocolate seasonal items which has 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 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.”
Driven by the success and innovation of its iconic brands, Ferrero continues to expand and invest in the United States. A new chocolate processing facility and a Kinder Bueno production line are currently under construction at the company’s manufacturing center in Bloomington, IL. An Innovation Center including new R&D labs is set to open this year in Chicago’s historic Marshall Field Building.
In addition to new innovations, Ferrero is sharing its expertise in sustainability at the Expo. As part of NCA’s Supplier Showcase education sessions, Packaging Sustainability Manager Jeffrey Herron and Vice President of Institutional Affairs Kelly Smith will give a presentation about Ferrero’s approach to packaging and recycling in the United States on the Innovation Stage.
