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Thorntons twist-wrapped brand Moments |
UK. British brand Thorntons is further boosting the distribution of its chocolate ranges with the launch of five products into 19 World Duty Free outlets at 13 airports across the UK.
Following the success of a six-week trial in November last year, World Duty Free (WDF) has introduced a range of Thorntons products into its stores, as it continues in its quest to bring British brands to British airports.
“In Thorntons’ WDF range, customers will find a product for every occasion,” Thorntons said, “whether they’re looking for the perfect gift to take home or a treat to share on the plane”.
The range, which hit the shelves in January 2010, includes three of Thorntons best-selling boxed chocolates, Continental (385g), Classics (335g) and twist-wrapped brand Moments (850g); along with a box of Thorntons famous Original Special Toffee (625g) and a Diabetic Chocolate Selection Box (415g).
The company explained: “With this extended distribution, Thorntons will now be accessible to tourists and travellers from around the world, who previously had no visibility of one of Britain’s most famous brands.”
Thorntons products will be sold in airport terminals at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, East Midlands, Manchester, Bristol, Exeter, Jersey, Doncaster, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Birmingham.
Thorntons Head of International David Proctor said: “We are delighted that some of our most famous and popular products are available to travellers from around the globe. World Duty Free has a great reputation for offering products that reflect our British heritage, so as one of Britain’s most famous companies, we’re thrilled to be able to showcase our best products in its stores, which we see as a window to the world.
“We see our partnership with World Duty Free as a great first step in our plans for international growth. We are assessing distribution options in many different countries but we are in the early stages, and now our products are visible on an international platform we hope to announce more listings in the coming months.”
About Thorntons
Thorntons is the number one chocolate and confectionery brand and the number 18 overall brand in the UK, according to Superbrands’ latest research on brand leaders. Established by Joseph William Thornton in 1911, Thorntons is one of the UK’s oldest chocolate retailers, headquartered in Derbyshire with more than 4,000 employees. Thorntons has 379 own stores, 37 of which have their own café, and 250 franchise stores across the country, as well as a strong direct (via www.thorntons.co.uk) and commercial business, supplying all major supermarkets. Products range from gift selections, chocolate blocks to toffee and ice cream.
Keith Hurdman, Thorntons’ Master Chocolatier, counts over 25 years’ experience in the industry. Hurdman is described as “an unusual phenomenon” for the British chocolate industry as a home-grown talent with extensive training with some of Europe’s finest confectioners and chocolatiers in Belgium, Switzerland and France. He is now widely recognised as one of the UK’s most talented chocolatiers and has won a number of other awards including the International Belgian Chocolate Award and the highly acclaimed “˜Truffe d’ Or’ in 2000 as Champion Confectioner of Switzerland.
Best-selling boxed chocolates: Thorntons Continental (top); Thorntons’ famous Original Special Toffee (625g)
