Ritter Sport appoints Richmond Marketing as exclusive distributor in Ireland 

IRELAND – Premium chocolate brand Ritter Sport has appointed Richmond Marketing as its exclusive distributor for Ireland, marking a key step in the company’s regional expansion strategy. 

The move comes just two months after Ritter Sport celebrated the 10th anniversary of its UK division, underlining the company’s commitment to strengthening its presence across the British Isles.

Distribution began this summer, with efforts focused on raising brand awareness, driving in-store activity, and fostering loyalty among Irish consumers. 

The portfolio rollout includes fan favourites such as Whole Dark Chocolate and Pistachio, alongside Ritter Sport’s wider flavour innovations. 

Ireland has been identified as a core growth market for the German-founded company, driven by its high per-capita chocolate consumption and a dynamic retail landscape that rewards strong convenience strategies.

Benedict Daniels, Managing Director of Ritter Sport UK, described the partnership as pivotal, signalling a new phase of brand development in Ireland, a market they see as crucial to the company’s long-term growth. 

“Our vision is simple: wherever consumers are buying chocolate, from convenience stores to large format retailers, we want Ritter Sport and Amicelli to be present, accessible, and in demand. Richmond’s track record in aggressively scaling premium brands made it a natural partner. With their infrastructure, team, and strategic mindset, Ireland can be a principal growth driver for our business in the next five years,” he said.

Richmond Marketing, founded in 1992, has built a reputation for successfully scaling innovative food and beverage brands in Ireland. 

Its portfolio has included Red Bull, Peroni, Kopparberg, and most recently, Fulfil Nutrition, with which it established strong expertise in confectionery retailing.

Barry Connolly, Managing Director of Richmond Marketing, emphasized the strategic fit:

“I’ve personally been a fan of Ritter Sport for 20 years. I love the shape, the design, the taste. It’s truly different from everything else on the market. If you want to build a brand in Ireland, you have to win in convenience retailing. Ireland is the second-highest market in the world for grocery purchases through convenience formats – only behind Taiwan. Visibility in convenience is critical, and that’s an area where Richmond excels.”

The partnership builds on Ritter Sport’s momentum in the UK, where the brand marked a decade of success this summer, securing widespread retail listings, including travel retail. 

Together, the UK and Ireland are set to play an increasingly important role in Ritter Sport’s broader European growth strategy.

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