Mars Corporation has successfully finalised the acquisition of Hotel Chocolat, a renowned premium chocolate brand based in the U.K. The agreement, initially disclosed in November 2023, has now cleared all necessary shareholder and regulatory hurdles.
This strategic move bolsters Mars’ diverse portfolio by integrating Hotel Chocolat’s esteemed brand, renowned for its premium quality and extensive retail expertise across various channels. With this acquisition, Mars aims to propel Hotel Chocolat into its next phase of growth, both within the U.K. market and potentially expanding into new territories.
Andrew Clarke, Global President of Mars Snacking, expressed enthusiasm about the merger, emphasising the alignment of values and shared commitment to quality, sustainability, and purpose. He said: “We are delighted to welcome Hotel Chocolat into the Mars stable of brands. Hotel Chocolat is a brand we have admired for many years, with its leading premium product offering, world-class quality and deep omnichannel retail expertise. We are incredibly excited to partner with Angus and the rest of the Hotel Chocolat team to achieve further growth and success in the years ahead, building on our shared commitment to quality, sustainability and purpose.”
Angus Thirlwell echoed Clarke’s sentiments, heralding the partnership with Mars as a pivotal moment for Hotel Chocolat, enabling the brand to extend its reach globally while maintaining its core values and vision.
For more details on the acquisition, interested parties can refer to the official offer announcement.
Editorial contact:
Editor: Kiran Grewal kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk
