Haribo’s UK Retail Expansion: The Big Picture
Haribo UK—part of the global confectionery group and the maker of classics like Goldbears, Tangfastics and Starmix—has been steadily growing its brick‑and‑mortar retail presence in the United Kingdom. This expansion both deepens consumer engagement with the brand and supports broader commercial and experiential retail objectives. (Retail Gazette)
Retail Milestones & Footprint Growth
1. Bluewater Store – First Mainstream Shopping Centre Location (2025)
- Haribo opened its 11th UK store at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent—a key strategic step because it was the company’s first location outside outlet retail parks.
- The Bluewater store includes experiential features: a “Pick Your Mix” station, interactive displays, and large digital signage intended to create a destination experience rather than just a traditional shop.
- Haribo’s Head of Retail described the Bluewater opening as a major milestone and indicated plans to continue expanding based on “where Haribo fans are.” (Retail Gazette)
Comment: This move away from outlet centres to high‑footfall mainstream malls reflects an ambition to capture everyday shoppers as well as destination visitors.
2. First Scottish Store – Silverburn, Glasgow (2025)
- Haribo launched its first ever Scottish store at Silverburn Shopping Centre, officially opening to queues of excited customers.
- The 2,500 sq ft store is now the most northern Haribo retail location in the world and features over 40 varieties of sweets plus bespoke merchandise like a Scotland‑themed Goldbear plush.
- Local officials and charity partners (e.g., Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity) took part in the ribbon‑cutting, reinforcing community engagement. (HARIBO)
Reaction: The Glasgow opening was celebrated by shoppers and local representatives alike, underscoring both brand affection and local commercial impact.
3. Manchester Trafford Centre Opening (2025)
- Haribo’s 13th UK store opened at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, further extending geographic coverage.
- Like other new locations, this store offered a broad range of sweets including halal and reduced‑sugar options, appealing to diverse customer tastes.
- The opening featured partnerships with local charities such as Wood Street Mission, tying the retail expansion to philanthropic objectives. (HARIBO)
Comment: Pairing store launches with community partners adds social value to Haribo’s expansion strategy.
Other Retail Locations in the UK
Across the country, Haribo operates multiple other UK stores in places like:
- Designer Outlet centres (e.g., Cheshire Oaks, Braintree Village, Swindon)
- Outlet villages (e.g., Clarks Village, East Midlands Designer Outlet)
According to company data, prior to the Scottish launch Haribo had around 11 retail outlets, demonstrating an ongoing growth trend. (Cloudinary)
Strategic Direction Underpinning Expansion
Haribo’s retail rollout isn’t random—several strategic themes are evident:
1. From Outlet‑Only to Mainstream Retail
The Bluewater store’s location indicates a shift toward higher‑visibility, high‑traffic mainstream retail environments, broadening exposure beyond outlet shopping. (Retail Gazette)
2. Experiential Retail
Haribo stores are more than candy shops:
- “Pick Your Mix” stations let customers assemble custom sweets.
- Digital displays and selfie areas encourage social‑media sharing.
These features aim to create moments of joy and build brand‑associated experiences, not just transactions. (Retail Gazette)
3. Inclusive Product Offerings
Stores carry a wide range of products:
- Classic favourites
- International varieties imported from Spain, France and Germany
- Halal and sugar‑reduced options
This broad range helps attract varied demographics, from families to sweets enthusiasts. (HARIBO)
4. Community & Philanthropic Ties
Several new store openings have included charity partnerships (e.g., Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Wood Street Mission), showing that Haribo ties its retail growth to local goodwill and community engagement. (HARIBO)
Case Studies in Retail Expansion
Case Study 1: Bluewater Retail Experience
What happened:
- Haribo’s Bluewater store kicked off a new retail era with immersive design and experiences.
Outcomes/insights: - Early strong customer engagement — long queues and social buzz.
- Reinforced the idea that experiential retail drives foot traffic even in an age of online confectionery purchases. (Retail Gazette)
Case Study 2: Glasgow’s First Scottish Store
What happened:
- Haribo selected Silverburn — one of Scotland’s top shopping destinations — to launch its northern‑most flagship location.
Outcomes/insights: - The opening drew large crowds and community enthusiasm, demonstrating pent‑up demand in regions not previously served by Haribo stores.
- The event also included themed merchandise and charity engagement, blending commerce with community value. (365 Retail)
Case Study 3: Manchester Trafford Centre Launch
What happened:
- Haribo’s 13th UK branch opened at one of the country’s busiest retail hubs, offering seasonal products and inclusive sweet ranges.
Outcomes/insights: - The launch’s local charity tie‑in highlighted how retail expansion can support brand goodwill and community impact.
- Diverse product selection (e.g., halal, sugar‑reduced) reflects a broader customer strategy. (HARIBO)
Industry & Consumer Commentary
Positive Remarks
- Retail analysts see Haribo’s footprint growth as a smart blend of experiential and traditional retail, capturing footfall through memorable store design and location strategy.
- Customers often comment on social feeds and local news that Haribo stores create fun, family‑friendly destinations — not just another sweets retailer.
Brand & Retail Strategy Insight
Haribo’s Head of Retail has indicated that store placement is driven by fan demand and strategic opportunities, suggesting continued expansion where it makes geographic and commercial sense. (Retail Gazette)
Consumer Reaction Examples
- Glasgow opening photos and celebrations showed long pre‑opening queues and social media excitement.
- Trafford Centre customers enjoyed goody bags and exclusive products, reinforcing that physical stores offer something online can’t replicate. (365 Retail)
Summary: What This Expansion Means
Growth in store count — rising from around 11 to at least 13 UK retail outlets in 2025–2026.
Geographic diversity — from Southern England to first ever Scottish store.
Strategic shifts — move toward mainstream mall locations and experience‑driven retail.
Community integration — local charity partnerships feature in new store launches.
Broad product range — classic, international and inclusive sweet varieties.
Here’s a detailed, case‑study‑focused summary of Haribo’s expansion of its retail footprint across the UK — with real examples and community/industry commentary.
Overview of Haribo’s UK Retail Expansion
Haribo, one of the UK’s most recognisable confectionery brands, has consistently expanded its domestic retail operations, investing heavily in brick‑and‑mortar stores and experiential shopping locations. In 2025 alone, Haribo UK opened multiple stores and drove record footfall as part of its strategy to bring “childlike happiness” to more communities nationwide. (HARIBO)
According to company figures, Haribo UK now operates 13 stores across the country, attracting more than 5 million shoppers in 2025 and representing a significant retail commitment amid an overall retail closure trend. (HARIBO)
Case Study 1 — Bluewater Shopping Centre (Kent)
What happened
In early 2025, Haribo opened its store in Bluewater — its 11th UK retail location and first to be positioned in a high‑footfall mainstream shopping destination just outside London. (HARIBO)
Key features
- A “Pick Your Mix” station, where visitors can create custom sweet selections. (HARIBO)
- Exclusive giveaways for early visitors and interactive elements like mascot appearances. (HARIBO)
Comment
Haribo’s move into a major shopping centre like Bluewater reflects a strategic shift from strictly outlet‑based retail toward premium, experience‑oriented destinations — aiming to engage customers through interaction rather than simple product purchases. (HARIBO)
Case Study 2 — First Scottish Store: Silverburn, Glasgow
What happened
In September 2025, Haribo opened its first ever Scottish store at Silverburn Shopping Centre. This location also became the northernmost Haribo store in the world. (What’s On Glasgow)
Features & offerings
- More than 40 varieties of Haribo and MAOAM sweets. (What’s On Glasgow)
- Exclusive merchandise such as bespoke plush toys reflecting Scottish themes. (What’s On Glasgow)
- A “Pick Your Mix” station for personalised confectionery selection. (What’s On Glasgow)
Comment
Local centre management described the opening as enhancing the retail and leisure experience for visitors, catering to families and shoppers seeking entertainment as well as shopping. (What’s On Glasgow)
Case Study 3 — Manchester: Trafford Centre
What happened
Haribo confirmed its 13th UK store at Manchester’s Trafford Centre, further extending its footprint in major urban retail hubs. (HARIBO)
Key details
- A mix of classic favourites (e.g., Starmix, Tangfastics) alongside international varieties from Spain, France and Germany. (HARIBO)
- Exclusive branded merchandise like plush toys, stationery and candles. (HARIBO)
Comment
Retail analysts and centre directors noted that adding Haribo to a high‑traffic centre strengthens the destination appeal of the location, creating reasons for footfall beyond traditional anchors. (HARIBO)
Case Study 4 — New Outlet in East Midlands
Haribo is also continuing its outlet expansion, with plans confirmed for a new store at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands. This store will join other outlets in York, Cheshire Oaks, Ashford and Somerset. (HARIBO)
Community impact
- Local jobs — store openings spur recruitment including management and sales roles. (HARIBO)
- Shoppers are drawn from nearby communities, supporting local commerce and leisure. (HARIBO)
Strategic Themes Behind Haribo’s Expansion
1. Record Retail Investment
Haribo UK reported over £20 million invested in retail since 2018, alongside £35 million into UK manufacturing — showing a commitment to both retail and domestic production. (HARIBO)
2. Experience‑Driven Stores
Haribo’s stores aren’t just shops — they offer interactive features like “Pick Your Mix” stations, exclusive merchandise, giveaways, and immersive brand engagement that offline retail can uniquely deliver. (HARIBO)
3. Geographic Diversification
From the South of England to Scotland and major urban hubs like Manchester, the retail footprint now spans multiple regions, broadening accessibility and brand presence. (HARIBO)
4. Retail as Brand Engagement
These stores also function as brand ambassadors — loyal customers share their experiences on social media and local press, driving further interest and footfall. Many UK shoppers express excitement about visiting Haribo stores for the first time and finding merchandise or products not available in supermarkets. (Reddit)
Comments & Reception
From Haribo leadership:
- “Our stores allow us to connect with customers in new ways, offering products and experiences that reinforce our position as the UK’s leading sugar confectionery brand.” — Haribo UK’s Head of Retail. (HARIBO)
From shopping centres:
- Retail directors at Bluewater and Silverburn highlighted how Haribo enhances overall visitor experience and complements the broader retail mix. (What’s On Glasgow)
From customers:
- Social posts by visitors show enthusiasm for the stores’ playful design and “kid at a sweet shop” atmosphere, especially around the mix stations and exclusive products. (Reddit)
Summary: What Haribo’s Retail Expansion Means
Growth in numbers: Haribo has grown to 13 UK stores, with multiple new openings and refurbishments in 2025. (HARIBO)
Strategic investment: Over £20 m invested in retail, with ongoing plans for more stores and upgrades. (HARIBO)
Experiential approach: Stores offer interactive experiences that differentiate them from typical candy aisles. (HARIBO)
Local impact: Openings create jobs and increase footfall in retail centres, supporting broader economic activity. (HARIBO)