Swiss luxury chocolatier Läderach has confirmed the opening of its first store in Manchester’s Trafford Centre, marking the brand’s first UK location outside of London. The move strengthens Läderach’s presence in the country, where it already operates boutiques in the capital, including a high-profile store at St. Pancras International.
The expansion comes amid a year of heightened activity for the company, including openings in Cairo, Istanbul, Richmond (Canada), Bellevue (USA), Minnesota (USA), and Hong Kong SAR, alongside new product launches across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
The launch also places Läderach in a competitive landscape where rivals are expanding aggressively. Hotel Chocolat, for instance, has recently opened multiple new stores across the UK and launched limited-edition seasonal products. Lindt has continued to grow both its physical retail estate—through new shops in London and the Cotswolds—and its product portfolio with seasonal confectionery releases. Charbonnel et Walker, another established premium player, has introduced new truffle innovations to reinforce its heritage positioning.
Market Context And Brand Positioning
Premium Chocolate Market
Läderach competes in the highest-priced tier of the UK chocolate market, alongside brands such as Lindt, Hotel Chocolat, Charbonnel et Walker, Leonidas, and Neuhaus.
Läderach also competes in the UK’s growing DTC chocolate segment. This space is led by Hotel Chocolat, with Lindt as another major player, while smaller luxury brands like Leonidas, Venchi, and Charbonnel et Walker maintain niche but visible positions. Läderach’s digital and boutique channels form part of its broader multi-market strategy to capture premium consumers.
Rival Activity
Hotel Chocolat: Expanded with multiple new UK stores and continues to lead the direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel. Recent product innovations include cocktail-inspired chocolates and seasonal selections.
Lindt: Significant UK investment with a flagship London store and new outlets nationwide. Seasonal egg launches and limited-edition truffles highlight its product strategy.
Charbonnel et Walker: Focused on heritage-driven innovations, such as tiramisu truffles.
Lakrids by Bülow: Strengthening its international footprint with new stores across Germany, Austria, and beyond.
Industry Trends And Themes
Physical Retail Resilience: Despite wider retail pressures, luxury confectionery brands are expanding globally through high-traffic malls, transport hubs, and flagship concepts. Examples include Lindt’s London flagship and Hotel Chocolat’s Silverburn concept café.
Global Diversification: Premium DTC brands are entering new geographies, such as Läderach in Egypt and Hong Kong, Venchi in Kuwait, Kilwins and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in new US states.
Travel Retail Focus: Stores in airports and train stations are becoming focal points—Mr. Bucket in Singapore Changi Airport and Läderach in St. Pancras International.