As announced by TRBusiness within its latest confectionery report (June issue), global consumer goods group, Unilever is launching a range of dessert chocolates, exclusively to travel retail under the Carte D’Or brand; the dessert ice cream that originated in France in 1978 and is now enjoyed in France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and England.

 

After a successful entry into the Korean market, it’s now rolling out in Asia Pacific, Middle East and South Africa.

 

TRBusiness was offered a preview (and sample) of the new range at the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition and Conference in May this year.

 

Already known for its beauty and hair care brands Toni & Guy, Murad and Living Proof, the launch of a confectionery range marks a new journey for the company as it moves to capitalise on the success of Carte D’Or.

 

FRENCH PATISSERIE-THEMED MERCHANDISING

“The new, extravagant Carte D’Or products cover both single chocolates, such as dusted and flake truffles, as well as indulgent bars including Dark Chocolate with Himalayan Pink Salt,” says Unilever.

 

Accompanying displays and merchandising have been designed to recreate the feel of a French patisserie and the luxurious dessert experience of the ice cream.

 

The travel retail exclusive offering comprises a number of gifting items (400g bars, boxes of pralines, flake truffles and dusted truffles) and 10 choices of assorted 100g and 200g bars.

 

Rosalyn Frayna, Global Travel Retail Business Unit Lead for Unilever, says that the company’s wealth of experience with many successful ice cream brands including Magnum, Ben & Jerry’s, Walls provided the motivation to develop the Carte D’Or brand into something new for travel retail.

 

“Unilever is the global market leader for ice cream,” says Frayna.

 

CHALLENGE TO CONVERT MILLIONS OF CARTE D’OR ICE CREAM LOVERS

“Our experience puts us in the perfect position to launch this new range and naturally we want to focus on duty free and travel retail where the universal gift of chocolate has a massive appeal across all demographics.

 

“Our Carte D’Or ice creams are known for their quality; they are meant to be shared and enjoyed with friends and family.

 

“We’re confident we can translate that enjoyment and high quality experience so that it becomes as synonymous with the chocolate and confectionery buyers of global travel retail as it is with the millions of ice cream lovers who have made the brand a well-loved and permanent fixture in their homes.”

 

Unilever is inviting exhibitors to sample the new Carte D’Or dessert range at the TFWA World Exhibition (Green Village K50).