Mars expands into USA’s confectionery industry with two new retail locations
The stores feature premium chocolate ranges as well as the iconic Velvetiser Cafés.
USA – Hotel Chocolat, a British chocolatier and a subsidiary of Mars Incorporated, has opened two new retail stores in Chicago’s vibrant Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods to meet market demand.
According to Hotel Chocolat, the company aims to blend the world of luxury chocolate with sustainable cocoa farming.
It has ensured that its stores feature a wide range of offerings, including the iconic Sleekster, which showcases 27 of Hotel Chocolat’s most celebrated chocolates.
The new stores will also feature over 100 recipes in Hotel Chocolat’s “Wall of Chocolate,” featuring flavors ranging from fruity Lemon Curd and spicy Chilli and Maple to nutty Praline.
Kelly Goering, General Manager, Hotel Chocolat USA, said, “At Hotel Chocolat, we’re obsessed with having a deep understanding of flavor, individual tastes and consumer preference.
“The Chicago debut of our stores is bringing an uplifting and inventive chocolate experience to fans through unique offerings, along with an unmatched selection of gifts.”
Additionally, the stores will be home to the beloved Velvetiser Café, which will serve the brand’s signature drinking chocolate in eighteen irresistible flavors, such as Black Forest Gateau and Salted Caramel.
Angus Thirlwell, President and Founder of Hotel Chocolat, said, “Hotel Chocolat is on a mission to reinvent chocolate globally – transforming how it is enjoyed with unique formats and flavors.
“We are delighted to bring Hotel Chocolat to the vibrant city of Chicago and introduce a new kind of elevated chocolate experience for people to fall in love with.”
Mars acquires Hotel Chocolat
Mars acquired British upmarket chocolate maker Hotel Chocolat for £534 million (US$587.48 million).
Thirlwell and Harris founded the business in 1993, but switched to the Hotel Chocolat brand in 2003 before opening their first store in North London a year later.
“By partnering with Mars, we can grow our international presence much more quickly using their skills, expertise and capabilities,” Thirlwell said.
Mars Snacking Global President Andrew Clarke assured industry stakeholders that the iconic recipes that define the Hotel Chocolat brand will not be altered.
“We’ve got a real track record here of nurturing, protecting and accelerating brands and keeping that entrepreneurial nature at what that brand stands for,” he said.
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