Koko Black Expands Footprint With New Brisbane Store Set To Open In November
Australian DTC chocolate brand Koko Black has officially announced the opening of its newest store in Brisbane's Queen Street. The new location, set to open in November, marks the brand's first foray into the Queensland market, a strategic expansion designed to bring its handcrafted chocolates to a new consumer base. The company is actively building a team for the new store, signalling a significant investment in a region that has become a key focus for premium chocolate retailers.
Koko Black Positions For Growth In Australia’s Competitive DTC Channel
Koko Black currently holds over a tenth of the chocolate confectionery market in Australia’s DTC channel in this segment, on par with Lindt and behind the market leader, Haigh’s Chocolates. As part of a broader growth strategy that includes retail expansion and new product innovation, the new store opening enhances Koko Black’s visibility and accessibility in a new state. This year, the brand's innovation efforts included a Lunar New Year product featuring a mandarin and Sichuan pepper ganache. This culturally resonant product not only serves as a point of differentiation for Koko Black in a crowded market but also strategically taps into the growing trend of leveraging East Asian flavors to capture consumer interest.
The Australian DTC chocolate market is an active space, with key competitors also executing strategic initiatives to maintain or grow their positions. Haigh’s Chocolates, the dominant player, maintains a robust portfolio and strategically introduces limited-edition products to drive consumer interest. This year, for example, the brand released special-edition chocolates for occasions like Mother’s Day and "Pastille Day," including an Elderberry & Macadamia Ganache and a Milk Nougat Pastille. These initiatives highlight the brand's focus on leveraging its heritage and established reputation to create a sense of occasion for its customerse.
DTC rival Lindt’s recent product launches have shown a keen awareness of consumer trends, particularly with the introduction of its Dubai Style Chocolate with a creamy pistachio filling, capitalizing on surging consumer demand for pistachio chocolate flavors which was the top flavor among chocolate confectionery launches in 1H 2025. Lindt has also been expanding its retail presence globally, with new stores in the UK, New Zealand, and other markets, reinforcing its commitment to a strong store network.
Other brands are also navigating this landscape with differentiated product strategies. Poppy's Chocolate, for example, has been particularly prolific with its limited-edition product releases, including a series of Easter egg blocks with unique flavor combinations like pineapple and lychee, and a variety of pistachio-themed chocolates, including their Pistachio Egg Block and their Pistachio Coconut Bunny. This high-frequency launch model allows a brand like Poppy’s to capture consumer attention through novelty flavors.