Nestl? International Travel Retail (NITR) has presented Gebr Heinemann with its annual European Regional Outstanding Business Award in recognition of the company's support of the confectionery sector and its commitment to category management in 2008.

The award was presented by NITR Regional Business Manager Frank Andreassen to Gebr Heinemann's J?rg Gier, Category Manager Retail, Nicolas Hoeborn, Category Manager Distribution and Ruediger Stelkens – Purchase Director.

Andreassen said: ‘In 2008, Gebr Heinemann yet again achieved double-digit percentage sales growth for NITR brands, overall doubling sales in just a few years. A key factor behind this development is Heinemann's commitment to the confectionery category. It is treated as a priority sector and there is a clear focus on utilising the potential that the category offers in terms of delivering sales and profit.

'We have had the pleasure of working closely with Gebr Heinemann on a number of category management projects during the last few years and we have seen that confectionery growth has outperformed other categories. An in-depth understanding of the category and shopper behaviour is the basis of successfully developing store/category lay-outs, securing footfall into the category and turning shoppers into buyers.

'We look forward to continuing our excellent partnership with Heinemann ensuring that the confectionery category continues to be amongst the ‘best performers’ during a tough trading environment. At this time, we are confident that the confectionery category has the opportunity to play an even more important role within travel retail.'

Ruediger Stelkens added: ‘We at Gebr. Heinemann feel very honoured and are very proud that we have received the outstanding business award 2008 from NITR. Such good results can only be achieved in a close business relationship in terms of professional category management projects and cooperation between both companies.’