Harison goes for gold with latest confectionery launches

Shibu Thomas CEO Harison
Harison named Shibu Thomas as CEO and Chief Brand Architect at the end of 2016

Harison Premium Chocolate launched its Goldline chocolate range and introduced Jersee sugar confectionery to travel retail at a private dinner at The Intercontinental Dubai Festival City on Friday 17 March.

The products were presented by Shibu Thomas, CEO & Chief Brand Architect of Harison Premium Chocolate and MD of Sweet Garden Travel Retail (the exclusive travel retail distributor and marketing partner), to an audience of press and key industry figures. Representatives from Lotte Duty Free, Dufry Sharjah and Al Musbah were among the delegates in attendance.

“Harison Goldline is our newest collection of premium chocolates wrapped in golden foil, which we’re sure will be a blockbuster,” said Thomas, who was appointed to the CEO role in December 2016. “Our sugar confectionery brand Jersee comprises premium toffees, candies and fudges. It was officially unveiled at TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in 2016 and will be available in travel retail from March 2017.”

The plan is to roll out Goldline into the company’s existing locations, including the brand’s key UAE hub Abu Dhabi International Airport.

“In India, it will roll out everywhere,” added Thomas. “We are also looking to make inroads into Europe and North America – this is a goal we have set ourselves to achieve by the end of the year.”

Harison will attend the Duty Free Show of the Americas in Orlando later this month and the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in Singapore in May.

Harison chocolate range revealed in Dubai
The big reveal: Harison’s new Goldline chocolate range is presented to travel retail delegates in Dubai

“There, my aim will be to strengthen relationships with our existing partners, such as the larger operators and retailers we are currently working with,” he said. “On top of our vision to step into new regions, we are also keen to pursue partnerships with airlines, cruise ships and border shops.”

Sweetening the offer

The chocolates for the Goldline range were chosen after a series of blind taste tests to pinpoint the best quality. There are four SKUs: the tablet-shaped Pralines Delight (700g and 400g); the round-shaped and softer Pralines Grand (700g and 400g), which contain cereals; the Chocolate Heart (300g) of pure milk chocolate; and the Gianduitto (300g), which has a thick texture.

Goldline Delight Harison chocolate range“We have sourced the finest chocolate from around the world for our elegant boxes and bags, which are ideal gifts for any occasion,” said Thomas. “We benefit from there being no price comparison to being sold on the domestic market and we ensure we keep the pricing at a level that attracts mass consumers.”

Harison Director Masoud Vakhshouri added: “We achieve our best value for money chain through long-term forecasting and commitments with our suppliers.

“We buy large quantities of chocolate, as we also supply other products to the local market, so the volume makes it possible for the manufacturers to offer us their best prices. In turn, this helps us keep our costs low for consumers.”

The Jersee range, owned by Harison and manufactured in Italy, has five SKUs in total: Milk Toffee (500g); Assorted Fruit Toffee (500g); Assorted Fruit Candies (500g); Original Cream Fudge (500g); and English Vanilla Fudge (500g).

“More will be introduced as and when we find the best recipes,” explained Thomas.

Harison Premium Chocolate has been available in travel retail exclusively since January 2015, and it has experienced impressive growth in that time. It can now be purchased in 30 travel retail locations in the Middle East and the Far East thanks to partnerships with companies such as Aer Rianta, Flemingo and Dufry.

Shibu Thomas Harison chocolate CEO and Chief Brand Architect
Spreading the word: Harison CEO and Chief Brand Architect Shibu Thomas addresses delegates at the event in Dubai on Friday
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