Chocolate drinks concept Knoops has announced plans to open 100 new stores in the UK within the next five years.
The brand, which specialises in bespoke hot and cold chocolate drinks, is looking to grow through a multi-channel approach combining high street locations as well as a retail arm that offers its products in-store and online.
Knoops currently has eight stores in the UK, predominantly in London, with a further three in the pipeline. It will open in Knightsbridge next month, followed by Knoops Manchester – the brand’s first store in the North – and Knoops Bath.
The sites will offer chocolate drinks and coffee as well as gifting products and the brand’s grab-and-go offering, consisting of bakery and light bites.
Knoops has said it has “ambitions to do for chocolate drinks what Starbucks did for coffee.”
Executive chairman William Gordon-Harris commented: “Expansion into the North of England is an incredibly significant step for the brand as I seek to lead our outstanding team with our global ambitions – starting first with a UK roll-out. Knoops is a true challenger brand and I see us becoming one of the fastest-growing on the UK’s high street. I’m also confident that we are at the infancy of one of the most interesting retail stories of our age, and that Knoops will become a leading global brand within a decade.”
Founder Jens Knoop said: “Seeing a new face light up as they discover our brand will never get old, and opening up in new locations across the UK is helping us to spread the message of Knoopology at a phenomenal rate. We’re creating a lasting impression in our current locations and already have many Mancunian fans of the brand from visits to other stores. Likewise, our products are already stocked in Harrod’s, so it’s fantastic to enhance our presence in Knightsbridge too.”
