Hotel Chocolat Has Expanded Its U.S. Retail Footprint

The luxury confectionery brand has launched new airport concessions and retail partnerships across the United States.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Retail

Hotel Chocolat Has Expanded Its U.S. Retail Footprint

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Hotel Chocolat has expanded its presence in the United States, launching retail operations at 49 airports and preparing for displays in major supermarket chains. This growth follows the brand's initial entry into the Chicago market in April 2025.

Why it matters

The company intends to leverage successful insights gained from its Chicago-area retail locations to build a larger, sustainable confectionery ecosystem nationwide. This move aims to establish a firm foundation in the U.S. market following its 2024 corporate acquisition.

The firm operates 165 stores in the United Kingdom and plans to reach nine total locations in the U.S. by the end of 2026. Long-term goals include opening 70 to 100 American stores within five to seven years.

The players

Hotel Chocolat

This is a premium British cocoa grower and chocolatier that specializes in high-end confectionery products.

Mars

This is a global manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products that acquired the retailer in 2024.

Paradies Lagardère

This company is a travel retailer and restaurateur that operates concessions in airports across North America.

The details

Hotel Chocolat is opening new brick-and-mortar retail stores in Virginia, Utah, and California while securing airport concessions through a partnership with Paradies Lagardère. Additionally, the company will launch in-store displays at supermarket chains including Wegmans, H-E-B, and Kroger.

Mars completed the acquisition of Hotel Chocolat in January 2024.
The first Chicago store opened in April 2025.
Expansion to 49 airports and new states is underway as of Fall 2026.
Supermarket chain displays are scheduled to launch in November 2026.
The target window for 70 to 100 total U.S. stores is 2031-2033.

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Market Landscape

This rapid expansion signifies a shift toward aggressive U.S. market penetration following the brand's integration into the global Mars portfolio. It positions the firm to compete more directly with high-end chocolate retailers by utilizing both captive airport traffic and widespread grocery distribution.

Consumers can expect greater access to the brand through new retail locations and grocery store shelves beginning in late 2026. This availability changes the convenience of purchasing luxury chocolates, which were previously limited to select urban retail hubs.

The takeaway

The expansion reflects the brand's shift from a boutique U.K. operator to a widely accessible luxury retailer in the American market. Customers should look for the brand's signature displays in upcoming visits to major grocery chains.