Lindt & Sprüngli Expands UK Presence With Caffè Nero Partnership For LINDOR Treat Bars
Lindt & Sprüngli has rolled out its LINDOR Treat Bars across more than 610 Caffè Nero locations in the UK and Ireland, marking a high-profile retail distribution deal for the Swiss premium chocolatier. Announced late November, the partnership places the individually wrapped milk-chocolate LINDOR bars at till points and counter displays, positioning the brand as the indulgent companion to Caffè Nero’s Italian-style coffee offering. The collaboration underscores Lindt’s continued push into the impulse and on-the-go snacking segment in the UK, a channel that has gained momentum as consumers return to out-of-home coffee routines.
The rollout follows a year of aggressive innovation and distribution expansion for Lindt globally and in the UK specifically, where the brand has simultaneously introduced multiple limited-edition LINDOR flavours, Dubai-style pistachio-kunafa creations in dark and white variants, seasonal shortbread truffles exclusive to Tesco, and new block formats across grocery.
Key Brand Strategic Initiatives This Year
Lindt & Sprüngli
Global flavour localisation and seasonal limited editions: The company has launched an unusually high cadence of regionally tailored LINDOR and tablet innovations (e.g. Sakura & Cream and Matcha in Japan and Nordics, Tiramisu in Germany and Japan, Shortbread truffles exclusive to Tesco UK, Raspberries & Cream in New Zealand).
Capitalising on the “Dubai-style” pistachio-kunafa viral trend: Lindt rapidly introduced Dubai-style bars, pralinés, blocks, drinks and even ice cream across more than 20 markets including the UK (milk, white and 70% dark variants), Australia, USA (limited run at Walmart/Target), Japan, China, Brazil, Mexico, Ireland, Switzerland and South Africa.
Premium impulse and food-service expansion: Beyond the Caffè Nero partnership in the UK and Ireland, Lindt has opened new owned boutiques (London flagship, Cotswolds Designer Outlet, Vienna flagship, second New Zealand store) and entered travel retail in Asia Pacific with a first Lindt Boutique at Singapore Changi Airport.
Format innovation: Introduction of LINDOR Blocks, EXCELLENCE Fusion layered tablets, Les Grandes flavor extensions including Crispy Cookies and Crunchy Nougat, Choco Wafer ranges and Chocolate Cubes in Switzerland.
Hotel Chocolat
Aggressive UK store estate growth: Opened multiple new stores in 2025 including York Vangarde, Skipton, Birmingham Longbridge, Durham and a Velvetiser café concept in Glasgow’s Silverburn centre.
Hero product system upgrade: Launched a completely redesigned Velvetiser in-house drinking-chocolate machine with hot and iced capability, marketed as a “barista-grade” system.
Selector innovation within gifting: Introduced alcohol-inspired and layered selectors such as Grand Mimosa (Champagne & Grand Marnier) and Triple Cranberry (three-layer cranberry in 70% dark cup).
Godiva
Riding the Dubai-style pistachio-kunafa wave: Launched own-interpretation pistachio-kunafa tablets and and collections in multiple markets including Tesco-exclusive in the UK, Hong Kong, Turkey, Australia and Indonesia.
High-profile collaborations and pop-culture tie-ins: Nintendo co-branded collection in Japan; Labubu character soft-launch ice cream and milkshakes across Greater China and Southeast Asia.
Chilled and frozen indulgence extension: Introduced “freeze-but-don’t-freeze” summer truffles, chilled signature collections in Turkey and Japan, and convenience-store cup ice-creams (such as pistachio chocolate crunch in Japan).
Major US and global brand campaign refresh: Returned Leighton Meester as the modern Lady Godiva for the “Lady Godiva Returns: A Modern Masterpiece is Born” cinematic campaign and subsequent holiday execution, supporting the new Masterpiece Collection of ganache and caramel individually wrapped pralines now ranging at Costco, Walmart and Walgreens.
Ritter Sport
Accelerated UK market penetration and distribution gains: Achieved 50% YoY growth in 2024, secured nationwide Tesco Express listings, expanded to 10 SKUs in Morrisons, and placed seasonal Mini Towers and Amicelli wafer boxes in Tesco’s Christmas range.
High-velocity core range innovation in the UK: Launched Roasted Peanut, Caramel & Biscuit, Sweet n Salty Duo, and Crunchy Coffee varieties into Sainsbury’s and Morrisons this year.
US market transformation via acquisition: Acquired Boulder-based premium chocolate brand Chocolove.