Swiss chocolate retailer in U.S. retail expansion with Simon

Läderach is expanding its U.S. footprint to keep up consumer demand for premium chocolate.

The family-owned Swiss chocolate brand has signed lease agreements with Simon to open 15 stores coast-to-coast starting in the beginning of August. (Locations at end of article.) Each store will feature more than 85 varieties of fresh artisanal chocolate direct from Switzerland, and include a dedicated FrischSchoggi (fresh chocolate) counter, where chocolate lovers can select multiple varieties of Läderach’s signature hand-broken chocolate bark. 

In December 2020, Läderach opened its 100th store — and largest to date — on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The retailer recently opened two stores in South Florida, including a location at Miami’s Aventual Mall. In February, the company signed an asset purchase agreement allowing it to take over the leases of 34 Godiva locations across the United States.
 
Läderach, which controls the entire production and distribution channel, is the largest chocolate retailer in Switzerland. Its chocolate is made from bean-to-bar in-house, finished by hand, and brought directly to its 100-plus stores worldwide.

“We've had high e-commerce demand of our chocolate for everyday consumption and gifting in these new locations for the past year and can't wait to bring our in-store experience to life there,” said Nathanael Hausmann, president, Läderach North America.

“With over 85 varieties of chocolate directly from Switzerland, Läderach's relentless focus on creating a memorable, in-store chocolate experience is synonymous with our goals for our properties and retail partners," added Miles Sutcliffe, director of leasing, Simon.

Läderach's 15 stores in Simon properties include:
•    California: Brea Mall; San Francisco Premium Outlets, Stanford Shopping Center, Fashion Valley;
•    Florida: Florida Mall, Dadeland Mall, Sawgrass Mills Mall;
•    Massachusetts: Spourth Shore Plaza;
•    New York: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets; Walt Whitman Shops, Roosevelt Field, Smith Haven Mall;
•    Texas: Houston Premium Outlets, The Galleria; and
•    Virginia: Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.