Ritter Sport has unveiled its first-ever digital in-store activation across Tesco stores nationwide, marking another significant step in the brand’s UK growth journey. Running until 22 April 2025, the initiative features POP digital screen displays in 155 locations, reinforcing Ritter Sport’s presence in the premium chocolate category.
The activation supports an ongoing Tesco Clubcard promotion across Ritter Sport’s full UK range, including its top-performing Pistachio variant. This off-feature display is secondary to the main fixture, showcasing six key SKUs, spanning core variety promotions and dedicated nut-focused offerings. Among the highlighted flavours are Marzipan, Milk Whole and Dark Whole Hazelnut, and Rum Raisin, alongside the fast-growing Pistachio bar, which has seen remarkable success since landing in Tesco. It became the 14th top-performing SKU in its category within just two weeks (Source: Dunnhumby Performance Report L2W W/E 03.03.25).
Benedict Daniels, managing director of Ritter Sport UK, said: “This is another milestone moment for Ritter Sport in the UK. Our first nationwide in-store activation with Tesco allows us to better engage with shoppers at the point of purchase, and we’re eager to analyse the impact to inform future retail strategies. With Dunnhumby data showing that 67% of our sales are incremental to the category*, we’re excited to introduce even more consumers to the square and watch their love affair begin.”
This latest initiative underlines Ritter Sport’s commitment to category expansion and shopper engagement, supporting its long-term growth ambitions in the UK retail market.
* Source: Nielsen ScanTrack. Grocery Multiples, 52 W/E 28.12.24. Nielsen Homescan 52 W/E 28.12.24
The Dubai chocolate trend
The Dubai chocolate trend is taking the world by storm, and nowhere is its influence more apparent than in the UK’s premium confectionery market. From indulgent chocolate creations to subtle ice cream flavours, the trend is shaping consumer palates and driving innovation across multiple FMCG sectors.
Leading the charge in chocolate is Ritter Sport, whose limited-edition Pistachio 100g block has become a runaway success, dominating the nut category and outperforming expectations in grocery multiples.
Tapping into this luxury trend, Ritter Sport launched its Pistachio block in Sainsbury’s in September 2024, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. In just a few months, the Pistachio block has become Ritter Sport’s fastest-ever selling SKU in the UK, with a staggering 136,000 units sold to date.
Its performance in Tesco, which launched the block in March 2025, has been particularly impressive, breaking into the top 15 SKUs in the category within its first two weeks, securing the 14th spot (Source: Dunnhumby Performance Report L2W W/E 03.03.25).
Across total grocery multiples, the product has been rated in the top 20% of SKUs in the category (Source: Nielsen Scantrack. Grocery Multiples, 52 W/E 28.12.24).
In true Ritter style, the pistachio block takes an innovative approach to the Dubai chocolate trend, with golden roasted, perfectly salted pistachios wrapped in smooth milk chocolate for pure indulgence. Daniels commented: “The chocolate category in the UK thrives on innovation, and Ritter Sport has always been at the forefront of pioneering new flavour experiences. Our Pistachio 100g block is a testament to our ability to identify and capitalise on key consumer trends. The phenomenal success of this SKU highlights the strong demand for high-quality, nut-infused chocolate, and we’re excited about the opportunities this presents for the brand in 2025 and beyond.”
Ritter Sport UK has set its sights on an ambitious target of selling 4 million units of Pistachio in 2025, as it continues to build on the product’s success and expand distribution across key retail partners.
The Pistachio bar’s triumph extends beyond just sales figures, it is also reshaping Ritter Sport’s core demographic. Traditionally appealing to a 35-64 year-old consumer base with high affluence, the Pistachio block is opening doors to a younger audience aged 25-54 with mid-affluence, further broadening the brand’s reach and relevance.
With its proven ability to surprise and delight consumers through bold, unexpected flavour innovations, Ritter Sport is redefining the boundaries of mainstream confectionery. The unprecedented success of the Pistachio block not only reinforces the brand’s commitment to quality and creativity but also cements its position as a leader in the evolving chocolate landscape.
