London-based sustainable chocolate company Love Cocoa has secured a £4.25 million investment to support its next stage of development, including the opening of its first physical retail stores.
Funded by entrepreneur Richard Koch, the investment will help achieve the company’s goal of opening ten bricks and mortar stores under the Love Cocoa brand over the next three years, grow the firm’s senior management team to include a new finance director and head of marketing, and further build retail distribution.
we see the opportunity to innovate with our new stores offering unique, experiential moments
“We’re excited to be going into physical retail later this year, launching our first Love Cocoa store. Retail is moving to an omnichannel approach, and we see the opportunity to innovate with our new stores offering unique, experiential moments,” says founder James Cadbury (great-great-great-grandson of the original Mr Cadbury).
“Alongside that, consumers are wanting to come back to the high street and that gives us the opportunity to deliver sensory chocolate experiences that simply can’t be achieved shopping online. We see this as a real game changer for the business and can’t wait to open our first store.”
Founded in 2016 by Cadbury, Love Cocoa went on to launch oat milk chocolate brand H!P Chocolate in 2021. Both brands champion sustainably sourced, slave-free cocoa and plastic-free packaging alongside commitments to combating deforestation and climate change.
“Love Cocoa and H!P Chocolate are at the forefront of sustainable chocolate innovation,” says Koch. “I’m looking forward to supporting the business on the next stage of its incredible journey.”
Cadbury adds: “I’m delighted to have Richard and his team’s backing. I’m excited to be working with him on driving the strategic development of both Love Cocoa and H!P Chocolate, helping propel them from challenger brands to chocolate industry powerhouses.”
