Alyse Thompson-Richards

San Francisco-based specialty retailer ​Lolli​ ​&​ ​Pops​ has spread its sweet stock into the Southwest by opening a store in Albuquerque, N.M. this month, kicking off a drive to double the chain’s number of locations by the end of 2018.

Askinosie Chocolate has introduced a new single-origin chocolate bar — the 72% Zamora, Amazonia Bar — marking the Springfield, Mo.-based chocolate company’s second partnership with a female-led farmer group

Ghirardelli’s newest addition to its Square line combines luscious, buttery caramel with a touch of vanilla and smooth milk chocolate.

Swiss chocolate production equipment manufacturer Bühler Group has acquired the Haas Group, a century-old Austrian manufacturer of wafer, biscuit and confectionery production systems.

Swiss chocolate and cocoa products manufacturer Barry Callebaut will acquire the ingredients division of Pennsylvania-based Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, allowing Barry Callebaut to expand its specialties and decorations business in North America.

In response to consumer requests, Curly Girlz Candy has launched a line of sugar-free and no-sugar-added chocolates and confections.

1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. plans to hire approximately 8,000 seasonal employees as the company’s gourmet food brands prepare for the 2017 holiday shopping season.  

Alejandro Saldivar didn’t choose the confectionery life. It chose him.

Barry Callebaut has introduced a fourth variety of chocolate — ‘Ruby’ chocolate — created from the red Ruby cocoa bean.