EUROPE. Gebr Heinemann is introducing chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely to the global travel retail market after a year-long trial at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Alongside Amsterdam, the products will now be available at Heinemann Duty Free shops in Oslo, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin, Budapest and Vienna airports. Gebr Heinemann is also distributing the chocolate to its supply customers worldwide. The brand is the market leader in domestic retail in the Netherlands.
Over a short timeframe of three months, Tony’s Chocolonely has developed ten new products for the travel retailer, which will be available exclusively through Gebr Heinemann and its distribution customers until at least the end of this year. These include seven different 300g bars (Milk Caramel Sea Salt, Milk, Milk Hazelnut, Dark Almond Sea Salt, Dark Milk Pretzel Toffee, Milk Nougat and Dark) and three Tiny Tony’s Pouch Packs (Mix Pack, Milk and Milk Caramel Sea Salt).
Tony’s Chocolonely sustainability credentials are a key element in its story. Its mission “to make 100% slave-free the norm in chocolate” is a driving force behind the brand, noted Gebr Heinemann.
Heinemann Chief Commercial Officer Kay Spanger said: “Tony’s Chocolonely sets a good example to the world that high quality, sustainability and profit can go hand in hand. The brand has found favour internationally with its responsible claim.
“But the fair chocolate is also a hit from a commercial point of view and we’re very happy that we can offer it to travellers at our other European duty free sites in addition to Amsterdam. We are also very enthusiastic about the company’s high level of rapidity and flexibility in regard to developing travel retail exclusives.”
“In order to make all chocolate worldwide slave free, it is an absolute must to be successful in one of world’s biggest channels: duty free & travel retail. We’re happy to have Gebr Heinemann as our launch partner and are looking forward to take the next step with them in our mission to 100% slave free chocolate,” said Tony’s Chocolonely Chief Chocolate Officer Henk Jan Beltman.
The company only buys its cocoa beans direct from farmers’ cooperatives in West Africa and guarantees to work with them for at least five years. The path of the cocoa bean can be traced across the production chain, from the farm to the environmentally-friendly packaging.
Depending on their living and labour costs, Tony’s Chocolonely pays the farmers flexible premiums in addition to the world market price, on top of the fair trade premium. The brand owner said that this additional premium enables farmers to earn a living income. These fair prices ensure improved local conditions and better quality cocoa beans. The company said it is transparent when it comes to its entire supply chain, and about sales and profits, and makes its employees shareholders of the brand.
The retailer said: “This approach fits in very well with Gebr Heinemann’s sustainability strategy, under which the company is continuously expanding its product portfolio in the spirit of growing responsibility for the environment and society, among other things.”
