2025 marked a record year for HARIBO UK’s retail offering. The sweet manufacturer opened a total of three stores across the UK, which have seen over 5 million happy shoppers come through its doors. This milestone comes after HARIBO UK celebrated the opening of its 13th retail store at Manchester’s Trafford Centre in December. The Yorkshire-based sweet-maker has invested over £20 million in its retail business since 2018.
This is in addition to the £35 million sum the company has recently invested in its West Yorkshire production facilities – signalling HARIBO’s commitment to UK bricks and mortar, Yorkshire food manufacturing excellence, and spreading moments of childlike happiness across the country.
While the current expansion began in November 2018, HARIBO’s UK retail roots run much deeper. The first site opened over 40 years ago in Pontefract, the location of HARIBO’s first factory in the UK. Long-serving HARIBO colleagues who grew up in the local community have fond memories of the HARIBO “factory shop” which sold liquorice through a pop-up window near the factory entrance.
Seven years since the retail expansion began, that original pop-up window has grown into 13 destinations across the UK, attracting 5 million shoppers in 2025 alone, a 1 million increase on the previous year’s footfall, and establishing the UK as the third largest retail market in the HARIBO Group.
HARIBO’s sweet success comes amidst a challenging UK retail backdrop, with other brand’s stores closing across the country. That has not stopped HARIBO from continuing its investment and growth. 2025 saw the company equal its record for opening three stores in the UK in one year – delighting fans in Kent, Glasgow and Manchester. It also renovated its existing Clarks Village store to bring new innovations to existing locations.
Looking ahead, the company will continue to invest in its retail presence, with a refurbishment programme taking place across 2026 – starting this month in HARIBO’s stores in York, Cheshire and Ashford. The improved stores will be bringing even more joy with the introduction of digital screens and more exclusive international treats for customers to enjoy. Beyond that, HARIBO is always on the lookout for more locations to share childlike happiness across the UK.
Jon Hughes, managing director, HARIBO UK and Ireland, said: “HARIBO is all about happiness and our retail presence brings the ‘Happy World of HARIBO’ to more communities across the UK. While the retail sector continues to face challenges, we are proud to invest in the UK market and remain confident in our ability to deliver good value and high-quality products to British consumers.
“Our retail expansion demonstrates our long-term commitment to the UK. The £20 million we’ve invested in retail since 2018 sits alongside our recent investment of over £35 million into our Yorkshire manufacturing operations. The stores allow us to connect with customers in new ways, offering products and experiences that reinforce our position as the UK’s leading sugar confectionery brand.”
Rebecca Fox, head of retail, HARIBO UK, said: “We seek to recreate the ‘kid in a sweet shop’ feeling by bringing the colourful and playful appeal of the brand, the breadth of our product range, and products not available elsewhere in the UK. Shoppers are attracted to retail environments that are engaging and distinctive, and HARIBO delivers this through direct brand engagement, access to exclusive international and merchandise products, and an inclusive environment designed for all ages. This approach has proven effective in creating a retail offer that meets customer expectations and performs consistently. We’re looking forward to bringing more childlike happiness to UK shoppers in 2026.”
