Since 1968, Solinest has had exclusive distribution rights for Ricola herb drops on the French market. A success story based on a relationship of trust and closeness
A partnership which has lasted for nearly 50 years
Ricola had the products and the ambition to expand into France, Solinest the experience of the market and plans to grow. The meeting of two men undoubtedly took care of the rest: Hans-Peter Richterich (Ricola) and Jean Jacoberger (Solinest).
"We were on the same wavelength. We spoke the same language, both loved the mountains, family, in short a lot of things in common brought us closer together, even our two sons of the same age," explains Jean Jacoberger.
And this was how, in 1968, nearly 50 years ago, Solinest became the exclusive distributor for Ricola herb drops in France. A long-term endeavour, of course, but one that has been marked with major successes. Already at the time, Ricola products were selling remarkably well throughout France. Solinest, steering this multi-channel growth, then became the go-to French company in confectionery distribution.
Solinest, just a modest distributor?
"Certainly not! " explains Felix Richterich, the current Managing Director of Ricola.
"Solinest handles the distribution of our products in France but not just that: its comprehensive knowledge of the market enables us to design targeted products. Solinest suggests possible avenues, Ricola comes up with ideas and, together, we decide on the best strategy to adopt. In a way, it's our marketing department in the French market. In actual fact, more than a distributor, whose qualities have been proven, it's a business partner we deeply respect. Our partnership has always been a story of trust, regardless of the generation at the helm."
Ricola, Number 1 in Pocket Size Confectionery
The unchallenged Number 1 in pocket size confectionery with a 39.4%1 market share in terms of volume, Ricola is also the Number 2 brand in confectionery for adults (7%2 market share in terms of volume). At the check outs of hyper and supermarkets, current sales of Ricola herb drops amount to 40 million boxes per annum, whilst on the confectionery shelf, sales of Ricola bags continue to grow (+7% in 2014).
As for sales in the impulse channel, volumes have been tripled in three years, growing from 1 to 3 million units sold per annum.
Growth made possible thanks to the effective activation levers employed by Solinest and Ricola to win over ever more consumers:
- product innovations (new recipes and new flavours, e.g.: Ricola Glacier Mint and Ricola Apple Mint…),
- heightened visibility in stores,
- wide-ranging support plans (TV advertising, sampling, in-store presentations, etc. ).
*1 Nielsen Market Share Volumes HMSM, MAT P13 2014 / *2 Nielsen, HMSM, Sales Volumes CAM P13 2014
Chrüterchraft: the magic of the Ricola herb mix
"WHO INVENTED IT? "
We've known about it since the advertising campaign launched 1998. But " Who invented it? ", that's just what the campaign would like to get us to understand.
"CHRÜTERCHRAFT"
A purposely unpronounceable Swiss German term but, more especially, a magic spell that sums up the strengths of Ricola herb drops.
With this international advertising campaign Ricola aims to consolidate its position as world number 1 in high-end herb drops.
Ranges
Ricola's numbers
1968
Partnership with Solinest
No. 1
Leader in
pocket size confectionery
40 million
boxes sold each year
40%1
market share
*1 Nielsen Market Share Volumes HMSM, CAM P13 2014
