Global growth for Northern Irish luxury chocolatier
Artisan chocolatier Neary Nogs in Northern Ireland has seen global sales grow steadily since launching an e-commerce shop last month.
The company, a specialist in handcrafted, stone ground bean-to-bar chocolate, has received orders from export markets, such as the US, Spain, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland, as well as from England, Scotland and Wales.
Based near Newry in county Down, Neary Nogs is a family-owned and managed business which has been developing its website as its main marketing vehicle over the past few months. It launched the on-line shop in January and is steadily adding to its portfolio and has also introduced a subscription facility.
Shane Neary, who founded the small business with wife Dorothy in 2011, says: "We are absolutely delighted by the response to the new site and the orders which are now flowing in for our gourmet chocolates.
"It's a very exciting development for our business and a great way to win international sales as well as increasing awareness of our premium chocolates and drinking chocolate.
"It's great to be able to do business on a 24-hour basis, especially selling chocolate while we sleep! Currently, the most popular product is our recently launched three varieties of chocolate nut butter cups - almond, peanut and the vegan sea salted caramel," he adds.
The artisan business has won widespread acclaim for its single origin chocolate bars handmade from quality beans from Sao Tome, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador.
The company roasts, shells, cracks and winnows the beans to produce cocoa nibs. "We then stone grind the nibs by hand to create a paste for use in producing the chocolate."
The chocolatier, which has won a string of awards including UK Great Taste Awards for its unique chocolates, is planning to transfer to larger premises in Newry to enable it to meet the growing demand for its luxury chocolates.
The company has an extensive portfolio that includes gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan chocolates.