Coffee retailing giant Starbucks has entered into a tie-up with US confectionery group Hershey that will see the creation and distribution of Starbucks-branded premium chocolate in the US.
The companies said that expert chocolatiers are developing products that “translate Starbucks coffee-house flavours into delicious and distinct chocolate products”.
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In addition to innovative flavours, the collaboration, which will come into operation in the autumn, will offer new formats and packaging and will be available in a broad range of retail channels such as food, drug and mass merchandise outlets across the US.
“Chocolate is the perfect complement to coffee and tea and has long been a part of the coffee-house experience,” said Gerry Lopez, president, Starbucks global consumer products group.
Christopher Baldwin, president of Hershey’s North American commercial group, added: “Our product development is focused on value-added chocolate and coffee-based products that will provide consumers with a new experience and accelerate growth in this key segment.”
