Mackie’s wins sweet deal with ASDA in Scotland

ONE of Scotland’s best-loved confectionery brands is taking a bite out of the chocolate market – with a further major listing worth around £100,000 a year for its 120g bars.

Sweet-toothed fans of Mackie’s of Scotland’s chocolate will now be able to purchase the four varieties from 47 of Asda’s 61 stores in Scotland, following a successful trial last year.

Stuart Common, Sales Director at Mackie’s, said: “We’re very aware that around Scotland we’re known for our ice cream first and foremost.

“While that may not change completely, we’re delighted with this listing in a major supermarket that serves so much of the Scottish population.

“We’re perfectionists – and our size has allowed us to continuously refine our chocolate recipes to keep improving them and match them with the tastes of the Scottish population especially.”

The family business already has a good relationship with ASDA having landed successful listings for its ice cream in 1993 and its crisps in 2009.

Mackie’s partnered with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) at last year’s Royal Highland Show, to gather feedback on its new smoother and more indulgent milk chocolate recipe from 600 members of the public – using its new mobile sensory lab.

Chocolate is Mackie’s most recent diversification. Since 2015, Mackie’s bars have been created in its very own chocolate factory, built on its farm near Inverurie, in what was formerly the old tractor shed.

There it uses specialist, industry leading equipment to refine, conche and temper the chocolate that makes up its delicious bars. It currently produces four flavours, Honeycomb, Traditional Milk, Mint, and Dark 70% Cocoa.

The chocolate that Mackie’s makes on its farm is also used in its chocolate ice cream recipe.

Heather Turnbull, Regional Buying Manager at Asda, said: “The new chocolate listing makes a fine addition to our already substantial Mackie’s offering.

“We stock more than 1,000 products, from over 100 local Scottish suppliers, allowing customers in all of our stores to enjoy premium products packed full of home-grown Scottish taste, talent and provenance.

“Supporting local Scottish suppliers is an integral part of what we strive to do at Asda and we’re delighted to be expanding Mackie’s range across our stores.”

In keeping with its ‘sky to scoop’ philosophy, the Aberdeenshire firm produces everything from renewable energy to its own packaging.

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