Industry veteran Rajiv Malhotra is on a mission during TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes to help drive independent chocolate house Tony’s Chocolonely in its drive to make all chocolate 100% free from modern slavery and illegal child labour.
The Singapore-based consultant* teamed up with Tony’s Chocolonely (www.tonyschocolonely.com) through his company Lead in Travel Retail (www.litr.sg) two years ago.
Malhotra is charged with establishing Tony’s Chocolonely’s presence in the Asia Pacific and Middle East travel retail markets, leveraging his experience, partnerships and market knowledge of the regions.
The progress so far is encouraging, Malhotra told The Moodie Davitt Report. Travel retail distribution is increasing every quarter and consumer demand is also rising as awareness increases and the brand is recognised in these markets, as well as its European stronghold.
Tony’s Chocolonely Lead Export and Travel Retail Ivan Van Kooten said: “We can increase our positive impact on the chocolate industry through growing global distribution. Tony’s brand awareness is not yet at the same level in every region as in Europe and the US, but with our new product- pipeline, our growth globally and our increasing visibility on shop floors, we look forward to the coming years.”
Tony’s Chocolonely isn’t an average chocolate brand but “it’s an impact brand that makes chocolate ”, the company says.
Tony’s Chocolonely wants to inspire the industry to make 100% slave free the norm in chocolate. Tony’s Chocolonely is a B-Corp, Fairtrade-certified impact company that makes chocolate but puts social impact before profit.
Tony’s Chocolonely has dedicated its efforts to raising awareness of and eliminating inequality in the chocolate industry. The company leads by example, working with 100% traceable beans, building direct, long-term relationships with cocoa farmers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
The brand differentiates itself by paying farmers a higher price and working together to solve the underlying causes of modern slavery and child labour.
“We believe that being a better business should be the norm, not the exception,” the company said.
The brand has grown to become one of the market leaders in the Netherlands and its bars are now available almost worldwide, with teams in Austria, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the USA.
Note: Rajiv Malhotra founded Lead in Travel Retail in Singapore in 2021.
A highly respected figure in the Asia Pacific travel retail and confectionery community, Malhotra spent almost 23 years with Mondelēz and its predecessor Kraft Foods, most recently as Senior Business Development Manager Asia-Pacific.
Lead in Travel Retail is a strategic partner for brands in the APAC travel retail market, specialising in market entry and growth strategy. ✈
