Cadbury sales jump as Brits turn to treats
CHOCOLATE giant Cadbury yesterday reported improved trading in April and May, as a recession-hit Britain snapped up its new “bitesize” range and relaunched Wispa bars.
The world’s second-largest confectioner said it was cashing in on the frugal times with the bitesize bags of chocolate-coated sweets as a low-cost treat for consumers, who tend to stay at home and watch films.
The firm said it was on track for full-year sales growth at the lower end of its four to six per cent range, thanks to its strong performance earlier in the year.
Last October’s high-profile relaunch of the Wispa chocolate bar – which followed a consumer campaigned for its return on social networking websites like Facebook – has seen the bar become the most popular in the UK, its biggest market.
Cadbury also said its gum and candy arm, which makes Trident chewing gum and Halls throat sweets, is now recovering from a poor first quarter, when US stores slashed product orders into the downturn.
Chief executive Todd Stitzer said: “Our early progress has continued into the second quarter with our businesses focused on delivering market share gains.”
A spokeswoman said the firm remains confident about the second half of 2009 as it has several product launches in the pipeline.