Liz Parker Kuhn: How was Ritter Sport able to expand its U.S. presence?

Chris Avery: Ritter Sport is committed to doing the right thing to create really good chocolate and that includes engaging our valued customers and listening to them. We are committed to learning from our customers. We want to understand our customer’s confectionery business and learn where their business development opportunities exist. Then together, our intent is to collaborate with our customers to develop ideas and solutions that meet or address those opportunities.

We have a great product to sell, and we are a company that is committed to continuous re-investment in sustainability efforts. Ritter Sport is uniquely positioned to provide our customers and their shoppers with the highest quality chocolate products produced with inclusions such as whole hazelnuts, whole almonds, and fruit pieces instead of fruit flavoring and whole cookies at an affordable price. 

LPK: What retail partnerships was the brand able to secure?

CA: We value every customer relationship we have developed and continue to develop. We want our customers to be Ritter Sport enthusiasts and we have developed strong distribution presence coast to coast.

Nationally, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, The Fresh Market, and Whole Foods have a broad representation of Ritter Sport products. Ritter Sport’s distribution will be further expanding in select Albertsons markets and stores in fall 2026.

Regionally, shoppers can find a wide assortment of Ritter Sport products in Metropolitan Markets, Haggen, and New Seasons in the Pac Northwest, down to Northern California in Raley’s, Nugget Markets, and Draegers. [They're also in] Southern California with Gelson’s and Ralph’s, across the Rocky Mountain Region with Harmon’s, in the Midwest with Hy-Vee, Meijer and Woodmans, down into Texas including United and H.E.B, and over to the East Coast and Southeast including Wegmans, Harris Teeter, and Publix.

LPK: What about an expanded footprint and shelf presence across U.S. retailers?

CA: Yes and yes! Ritter Sport has over 20 varieties of delicious and differentiated tablets. Our brand’s performance and contribution to our retailer’s performance is optimized when there are six or more Ritter Sport varieties on shelf available for shoppers. In addition, we have four varieties of Mini 2-Packs, all of which provide a great value both to retailers and shoppers at retailer’s checklanes. We also sell a seven- and eight-count assorted Mini "Towers," which are great for everyday gifting or for those shoppers who want to try an assortment of bite-sized Ritter Sport varieties. In 2026, we intend on further expanding our pack-type assortment with stand-up bags too!

And we have not forgotten about the importance of seasons. Holiday 2025 and Valentine’s Day 2026 are our first foray into seasons and we will further build out our seasonal assortments in 2026 and beyond.

LPK: Can you talk a bit about the new formats across retailers, like the Minis and Choco Cubes? Why did the company decide to opt for mini/bite-sized indulgences, rather than full-size bars, for the new products?

CA: Today Ritter Sport USA has a wide assortment of 20+ varieties of our standard 100 g/3.5-oz Tablets. Ritter Sport Minis and Choco Cubes are intended to drive trial and build brand awareness. Both form types provide shoppers and consumers an entry point to the Ritter Sport Brand and our Minis have direct synergy with our 100 g/3.5-oz. Tablets and are intended to boost cross purchases, increasing basket size and category sales.

In addition, both form types have application with everyday and seasonal pack types.

LPK: How are these different from other Ritter Sport products currently on the market?

CA: Like our 100 g/3.5-oz Tablets, our Minis also have whole hazelnuts or delicious inclusions such as crunchy salted caramel, crispy flakes, and cookies. Our Minis may also provide more ounces per piece vs. other like items available at retail. Our Choco Cubes are a delicious bite-size piece of really good chocolate. Varieties include Cocoa Mousse, Crispy Flakes, Double Caramel, and Hazelnut.

LPK: What’s next for Ritter Sport for late 2025/early 2026?

CA: Our primary intent will be to continue developing our everyday assortment of Ritter Sport 100 g/3.5-oz. Tablets, Mini 2-Packs, and Mini Tower Displays Stand-Up Bags.

To compliment our everyday offerings, 2026 kicks off with our first assortment of Valentine’s Day SKU’s and as spring approaches, we will be offering a 48-count assorted display of Ritter Sport 100 g/3.5-oz Tablets in a spring-designed floor display. 

We will also kick off a new assortment of plant-based 100 g/3.5-oz tablets specifically for our natural channel U.S. retailers.

Then, post-spring 2026 we will have a summer floor display containing limited-time-only 100 g/3.5-oz varieties such as Pistachio, Funky White Lemon, and Groovy Crunchy Pretzel.

Our intent is to announce additional new product news for fall 2026, followed by an assortment of holiday 2026 items.

Related: Ritter Sport USA, Inc. partners with traceability company