UK chocolate retail value sales down 2.8% in the first half year

摘要

According to IRI, an information provider offering data measurement for consumer goods markets, UK chocolate confectionery sales declined by 2.8% in the first half of 2014 to ￡1.3 billion (?1.66 bn). During the same period volume sales were down 5.8%. This followed a rise of 2.5% in on-shelf chocolate prices in Q2 after major brand owners Mondelez and Nestle introduced price increases to offset rising cocoa prices. It would appear that UK consumers either moved to lower priced chocolate, possibly at discount stores such as Aldi or Lidl (which are not included within IRI statistics) or they have taken advantage of trade promotions. Also, the hotter than average summer could also be a reason for slower sales.