BRAND NEWS FATSO secures national Waitrose listing
Independent chocolate brand FATSO has secured its first national supermarket listing, launching three of its bestselling bars exclusively in more than 250 stores operated by Waitrose from 6 April. The move marks the brand’s largest retail
rollout to date, following several years of growth through independent retailers, cafés and hotels. FATSO built its presence through more than 450 premium independent stockists before securing the national listing. The launch includes three 150g dark
chocolate bars: Morn’n Glory, Nan’s Stash and Home Run. Each product combines ethically sourced Colombian dark chocolate, supplied through a partnership with Luker Chocolate, with bold flavour combinations designed to differentiate the brand in the premium
confectionery category. Morn’n Glory features cornflakes, orange marmalade and toasted notes; Nan’s Stash combines biscuit pieces, peanuts and toffee; while Home Run blends salted pretzels, almonds and honeycomb. Ella McKay, co-founder of FATSO, said
the partnership represented a significant milestone for the brand. “Over the past year, we’ve been quietly and considerately building towards this moment, not just because launching into Waitrose is a huge milestone for FATSO, but because it represents the kind of partnership we’ve always said matters most to us. Our customers care deeply about where their food comes from, how it’s made, and the values behind it, and so do we.” She added that Waitrose shares the brand’s
Tony’s Chocolonely launches filled chocolate bar range in the UK
Dutch chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Filled, its first-ever range of filled chocolate bars, as consumer demand for indulgent, multi- texture confectionery continues to grow. The new range features three
variants: milk caramel sea salt with crunchy caramel pieces, milk hazelnut praline with roasted hazelnuts, and milk chocolate ganache. Each bar combines the brand’s signature chunky chocolate with layered fillings designed to deliver a mix of creamy, crunchy and gooey textures. The launch responds to changing consumer preferences in the confectionery sector. According to the National Confectioners Association, 47% of consumers prefer chocolate products with added textures such as nuts or caramel, while 65% view chocolate as an affordable treat for everyday indulgence. Like the rest of the company’s
portfolio, the Filled range uses 100% traceable cocoa beans and features the brand’s distinctive
8 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • APRIL 2026
unevenly divided bar design. The products are positioned as a premium indulgent treat aimed at consumers seeking richer flavour experiences in chocolate. The range launched in the UK on 5 April and is available exclusively through Waitrose, Oxfam and via the brand’s online store, with a recommended retail price of £3.85. The launch also forms part of
the company’s wider mission to address systemic issues within the cocoa supply chain. Through its sourcing programme, Tony’s Open Chain, the brand works with cocoa farmers in West Africa to promote living incomes, long- term partnerships and improved farming practices. The company says all cocoa
used in the new Filled bars is sourced through this model, which aims to tackle challenges facing cocoa production, including farmer poverty, child labour and deforestation.
commitment to quality, responsible sourcing and flavour, making the collaboration a natural fit for its next phase of growth. Ashleigh Shering, confectionery buyer
at Waitrose, said: “FATSO brings a fresh, bold energy to the chocolate aisle, pairing high quality dark chocolate with flavour combinations that are irresistibly delicious. As we’ve continued to refine and elevate our chocolate offering to deliver more discovery and innovation for our food loving customers, it’s important for us to partner with brands that share our commitment to quality, responsible sourcing, and real flavour.” Shering added that the retailer was pleased
to be the first major supermarket to launch the brand nationwide and offer shoppers a distinctive addition to the chocolate category.
Hotel Chocolat launches new drinking chocolate
With UK consumers choosing chocolate over desserts but still wanting multi-layered flavoursī, Hotel Chocolat is now bringing this to life in a sippable chocolate form with the launch of Raspberry Cheesecake hot drinking chocolate. The brand new, limited edition offers a smooth, creamy and surprisingly light recipe crafted from specially paired ingredients of raspberry, yoghurt and mascarpone to deliver an authentic cheesecake flavour for the ultimate summer indulgence. Yiotis Panagiotou,
Specialty Cocoa Chocolatier (Product Development) at Hotel Chocolat, said:“I’ve always noticed that cheesecake flavours overperform because they balance indulgence with a bit of sharpness. That got me wondering what would happen if we turned that into a Velvetiser moment. “The goal wasn’t to mimic
a cheesecake exactly, but to capture that familiar ‘creamy-with-a-kick’ feeling in a way that makes sense as a warm, comforting drink. It’s basically the after-dinner pudding people want, just in a cup instead of on a plate.”
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