FROM THE EDITOR


Confection Kennedy’s


EDITORIAL Editor


Kiran Grewal


kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk Features Editor


Suzanne Callander scallander@kennedys.co.uk


Production & Design Marc Miller


ADVERTISING


Business Development Manager


Gary Smythson


gsmythson@kennedys.co.uk 01622 699183


Subscriptions Manager Nic Wood


nic.wood@c-cms.com EVENTS


Gary Smythson


gsmythson@kennedys.co.uk 01622 699183


ACCOUNTS accounts@datateam.co.uk EDITOR’S LETTER I


have spent a fair amount of time thinking about chocolate over the past few weeks, which is hardly unusual for this job. The difference this time is that I also had the pleasure of bringing the industry together at the London Chocolate Forum 2026, and what a day it was.


Our review on page 10 revisits the conversations, ideas and occasional challenges that made this year’s Forum so worthwhile. We gathered at the Hippodrome Casino, in the Paddy Power room, which felt rather appropriate for an industry currently taking some sizeable bets on its future. Thankfully, the biggest gamble of the day was on the ideas and innovations that will help chocolate businesses navigate the years ahead.


From cocoa supply and farmer livelihoods to GLP-1 medications, craft chocolate and changing consumer expectations, our speakers offered plenty to consider. What struck me most was how willing people were to engage with the difficult questions. My thanks go to everyone who spoke, sponsored, exhibited and attended. The conversations certainly won’t end when the room empties, and we are already looking ahead to next year.


Elsewhere in this edition, we have three interviews approaching the industry from rather different angles. On page 22, Company Shop Group’s Commercial Director discusses how surplus stock can be turned into value while reducing waste and supporting communities. On page 32, Knoops’ founder talks about the company’s US ambitions and the expansion of its hand-flaked chocolate range. Having received my own Knoops selection box recently, I can confirm that my research into the brand’s appeal has been both thorough and thoroughly enjoyable. I shall leave the commercial analysis to the interview.


Our conversation on page 40 with the European Food Information Council examines emerging research into circulating xylitol levels and cardiovascular risk. As alternative sweeteners feature increasingly in reformulation strategies, manufacturers need to follow the evidence carefully as the science develops.


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Set up in 1890, Kennedy’s Confection is the longest– established magazine in the trade and is distributed


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Kiran Grewal, Editor kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk


OCTOBER 2026 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • 3


The features cover plenty of ground, too: novel ingredients on page 26, the economics of personalisation on page 34, batch versus continuous production on page 44, and luxury and gift packaging on page 50. Each touches on a different consideration for businesses trying to balance innovation, efficiency and what consumers are prepared to pay for.


There is also a personal celebration coming up. As a Punjabi Sikh, Diwali has always held a special place for me. The festival of lights is about family, community, new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness – but I would be doing my heritage a disservice if I failed to mention the extraordinary sweets that accompany it. Sharing mithai is a tradition I love, and it is wonderful to see brands like Haldiram’s UK and Baked by Steph finding new ways to bring these flavours and customs to more people.


Finally, Südback and Fi Europe are among the major trade events rounding off the year. We are looking forward to bringing readers our coverage, conversations and observations across the next couple of issues as we close out 2026.


For now, I hope you enjoy this edition – and, if you are celebrating Diwali, that your festivities involve a generous helping of something sweet. And a firework or two.


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