In today’s competitive world, even something as sweet as chocolates face bitter challenges on a daily basis. The industry is one with strong players and ever growing flavours, resulting in the constant need to innovate, engage and entice. In this light, it remains remarkable that hard work and dedicated customer focus has spread the charm and allure of the Ritzbury’s brand, making it Sri Lanka’s number 1 chocolate. The ranking was according to the Retail Measurement Service of an independent research company, conducted over the past 16 months, up until January 2010. During this period, the volume of sales in the categories of slabs and sub brands continued to remain above other brands, enjoying a market share of 47.2% against competitors.

Ceylon Biscuits Ltd’s (CBL) strategy of making chocolates freely available to all age groups in all economic segments in an era when consumption and accessibility was limited, by creating innovative sub brands in par with international standards, by offering attractive prices, and facilitating availability Island wide, resulted in the expansion of the Ritzbury chocolate range. The brand’s awareness of consumer needs, preferences and ever changing lifestyles resulted in the evolution of the well known slab to a range of products, venturing into a range that included chocolate coated biscuits, coated wafers, coated beans and balls, miniatures, speciality, spreads and catering bars.

“Consumer interest in quality chocolate and chocolate related confectionary has risen with some of the brands such as Chunky Choc, Chit Chat, Nik Nak and Pebbles having overtaken global brands in terms of sales volumes and becoming market leaders” said CBL’s group Director and Head of Sales and Marketing, Nandana Wickramage. He also noted “pioneering brands for children has been accepted enthusiastically”.   

Ritzbury sales have increased significantly over other local brands that have been in the market longer and CBL attributes that to the well placed distributor network in addition to quality and taste. Ritzbury hopes to further drive the market in new directions with innovative ideas; continuing to create new brands and markets and widens horizons - so that more consumers could satisfy their cravings for chocolates.

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