A new report by the National Confectioners Association and the Fine Chocolate Industry Association is taking a detailed look at chocolate consumers, their preferences and their impact on the chocolate retail experience.

Loacker USA has appointed Todd W. Hanus as senior v.p. of U.S. sales, effective May 7.

Goetze’s Candy Co. will launch two limited-edition varieties of Cow Tales in time for the Sweets and Snacks Expo: Sour Strawberry Cow Tales and Chocolate Brownie Cow Tales. 

African investor and product developer AgDevCo has invested in Tradin Organic to source organic cocoa directly from certified small-holder farmers in Sierra Leone, linking them to manufacturers in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

Asher’s Chocolate Co. has promoted three sales leaders as part of a restructuring of its sales department.

The Hershey Co. is investing $104 million into an 111,000-sq.-ft. expansion of its factory in northern Virginia.

Salon du Chocolat will bring its demonstrations, sculptures and Chocolate Fashion Show to New York City this fall.

Former General Mills executive Anton Vincent has been named president of Mars Wrigley North America, succeeding Tracey Massey, who will lead Mars Pet Nutrition as global president.

Currently just under half (43 percent) of Mondelēz International’s chocolate brands source cocoa through the company's Cocoa Life program.