The German Alfred Ritter Group is accelerating its international expansion with a strategic acquisition in the United States. The company, known for its Ritter Sport brand, has acquired Creative Natural Products, a Boulder, Colorado-based company that produces the premium Chocolove brand. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition marks a significant step in strengthening the group's presence in the world's largest chocolate market.
Ritter operates in the US through its subsidiary Ritter Sport USA, launched in early 2024 to support a targeted growth plan. For Ralf Hilpüsch, CEO of the US subsidiary, the deal represents "a decisive step in building a strong and influential presence in the US market," emphasizing the two brands' combined ability to offer "greater impact, greater choice, and added value to consumers."
Creative Natural Products will continue to produce Chocolove at its Boulder facility, preserving operational continuity, jobs, and business relationships. Founded in 1912 in Waldenbuch, southern Germany, Alfred Ritter is bringing to the United States a craft brand recognized for its ethical positioning and careful use of raw materials.
Creative Natural Products founder and CEO Timothy Moley commented on the addition to the German group, highlighting their “shared focus on quality and manufacturing integrity,” elements that should foster faster growth and a strengthening of sustainable practices.
The acquisition is part of a broader strategy: at the beginning of the year, Alfred Ritter had stated the goal of replicating in the United States the successful path built in the United Kingdom, where the company had achieved extensive distribution coverage in just a few years.
In the US, the group has recently revised its distribution strategy, aiming for greater presence at key retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, and Ahold. CEO Andreas Ronken's stated goal is ambitious: to enter the top five in the US market within five or six years.
Alfred Ritter, which employs approximately 1.900 people, posted revenues of €605 million in 2024. The addition of Chocolove to the portfolio is expected to deliver new business synergies and strengthen its position in the increasingly dynamic premium segment of the US market.
