Hotel Chocolat expands in three new US markets. Reading Time: 4 mins read Hotel Chocolat, the luxury British chocolatier and cacao grower known for its imaginative chocolates and distinctive retail experiences, is accelerating its U.S. growth in three new markets and an expanded presence across retail and travel channels. The brand will open stores at Fashion Place in Salt Lake City, Utah; 2ND & PCH in Long Beach, California; and King Street in Alexandria, Virginia, beginning in late fall 2026. Hotel Chocolat will also broaden its retail distribution through partnerships with Wegmans, H-E-B, and Kroger and expand its reach within major U.S. airports through a partnership with Paradies Lagardère. These moves coincide with an increasingly accessible ecommerce experience for Hotel Chocolat that allows the brand to reach even more online shoppers. Along with its sophisticated Hotel Chocolat USA direct-to-consumer website, Hotel Chocolat has grown its presence on TikTok Shop and Amazon via dedicated, branded storefronts that bring an enhanced product portfolio directly to millions of existing customers, making everyday discovery and gifting seamless. "Hotel Chocolat is moving to our next phase of growth in the U.S.," said Kelly Goering, general manager of Hotel Chocolat US. "By opening stores in three distinctive new markets across the country, expanding through leading retail and travel partners, and enhancing our ecommerce offerings, we are creating more ways for more customers to discover and enjoy all of our inventive chocolate options. We are growing thoughtfully - selecting the right markets, locations and partners while preserving the creativity, quality and sense of wonder that define the Hotel Chocolat experience." Each new store will bring Hotel Chocolat to a setting that reflects the character of its surrounding community, taking lessons from the brand's thoughtful expansion and success across its six Chicago-area locations. The Salt Lake City store will be located within Fashion Place, one of Utah's premier shopping destinations. In Long Beach, Hotel Chocolat will join the shops and restaurants of 2ND & PCH, a vibrant open-air destination along the Southern California coast. The Alexandria, Virginia, store will bring the brand to historic King Street, known for its distinctive mix of independent shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. Guests at the new stores will discover an extensive selection of Hotel Chocolat's signature chocolates, including offerings like: * The over 100 recipes in the iconic Hotel Chocolat "Wall of Chocolate," with flavors ranging from tipsy Salted Espresso Martini, dreamy Tiramisu, and fruity Raspberry & Pistachio Chocolate selectors. Chocolate lovers can mix and match any three for $20. * The imaginative Christmas and Holiday collection, featuring Hotel Chocolat's signature Grand Wreath Box, that's packed in a striking, circular red box with an inner-lid menu of treats; whimsical stocking stuffers like The Sleigh Team, A Dozen Gingerbread Men, and Portly Penguins; and a variety of Advent Calendars like The Advent Calendar for Two, which features two identical mini truffles in a variety of flavors behind each door. * Boxed chocolate gifting options that can be personalized for every occasion - from Happy Birthday, Thank You, Congratulations, to Just Because - in signature flavor profiles like the Milk Devotee 29 Pack, Patisserie Dreamer 27 Pack, Serious Dark Fix 29 Pack and many more. * The Velvetiser Café, serving the brand's hot and cold drinking chocolate options in over eighteen delicious flavors like Salted Caramel, Mint, and Coconut-White. * The Wall of Velvetiser, where guests can mix and match drinking chocolate flavors, designing their own box to enjoy at home. Beyond its company-operated stores, Hotel Chocolat is broadening its U.S. retail footprint through partnerships with Wegmans, H-E-B, and select banners with Kroger. The offerings in some of these locations will include designated branded displays featuring shelf ready packaging as well as header and side panel signage that serve to pique shopper interest and extend the world of Hotel Chocolat beyond the shelves themselves. These partnerships will make the brand available to more consumers in the places they already shop, deepening Hotel Chocolat's reach into new markets and occasions. Starting November 1, shoppers with Wegmans will be able to buy a selection of Hotel Chocolat's delightful stocking stuffer chocolates and Advent calendars; shoppers with H-E-B can try the reindeer-shaped milk chocolates of Sleigh Team; and Kroger fans will be able to purchase the Hotel Chocolat Milk, Dark, and Caramel-Milk Advent Calendars, along with all of the stocking stuffers. The brand is also growing its presence in U.S. airports through Paradies Lagardère, a leading travel retailer and restaurateur operating more than 700 retail, dining and bar locations across more than 90 airports. The partnership will expand Hotel Chocolat's reach among travelers at over seventy retail locations across just under fifty major hubs, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where travelers will be able to purchase the iconic Enchanted Forest stocking stuffer when traveling domestically. "Together with our retail and travel partnerships, our new market expansion marks an important step forward for Hotel Chocolat in the U.S.," added Goering. "They allow us to meet customers in more of the places they live, shop and travel, and introduces them to what makes Hotel Chocolat distinctive: our deep connection to cacao, imaginative approach to chocolate and commitment to making every interaction with us feel special. This is about building a thoughtful, lasting presence in the U.S., one market and one customer relationship at a time." Additional details, including individual store opening dates and hours, will be announced in the coming months. Fans who want to explore Hotel Chocolat's unique collections in advance can visit Retail Times.hotelchocolat.com or Hotel Chocolat on Amazon.

Salmonella alert: jalapeño products recalled by H-E-B and Taylor Farms. Published on 23 September 2026 at 3:42 pm - Written by Lucas Bennett - Reading duration: 3 minutes Show summary H-E-B and Taylor Farms have announced a recall affecting several jalapeño-containing products over potential Salmonella contamination. The move follows laboratory findings and aims to prevent illness. Consumers are urged to check products at home and stop using any items listed by the retailers. Which items are being pulled from shelves. * Pre-packaged jalapeño slices and whole jalapeños labeled with specific sell-by dates. * Prepared salads, salsas, and meal kits that list jalapeño as an ingredient. * Store-branded ready-to-eat items from H-E-B and select private-label items made by Taylor Farms. Retailers have posted batch numbers and dates on their recall pages. If you have a product that matches those identifiers, do not eat it. Why officials issued the recall. Testing identified traces of Salmonella linked to jalapeño-containing batches. Salmonella is a common cause of foodborne illness. Companies acted after receiving laboratory confirmations. Investigation and testing steps. * Initial testing flagged contamination in unopened samples. * Further analysis matched the Salmonella strain to affected products. * Health agencies and the companies launched a traceback to find the source. Where the affected products were sold. Items were distributed across H-E-B stores in Texas and online through regional grocery channels. Taylor Farms products reached multiple grocery chains and foodservice accounts. * Stores in urban and suburban markets received recalled batches. * Some products were shipped to distribution centers and later to restaurants. Symptoms to watch for with Salmonella. Symptoms usually appear within a few hours to several days of exposure. Most cases resolve on their own. * Diarrhea and stomach cramps * Fever * Nausea and vomiting * Headache and muscle pain Vulnerable groups include young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems. Seek medical care if symptoms are severe or persistent. Immediate steps consumers should take. * Check product labels, sale dates, and batch codes against official recall notices. * Do not eat recalled products. Throw them away or return them for a refund. * Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces that touched the product. * Contact your healthcare provider if you feel ill after consuming a recalled item. Retailers have set up return and refund protocols. Visit the H-E-B or Taylor Farms website for updated guidance. Keep packaging if you seek a refund or need to share batch details with health officials. Statements from H-E-B and Taylor Farms. Both companies say they are cooperating with public health agencies. They emphasize safety and pledge to remove affected products quickly. * H-E-B reports increased sanitation checks at warehouses and stores. * Taylor Farms says it is reviewing production lines and supplier controls. How regulators are responding. Federal and state health departments are investigating the scope of the contamination. Traceback efforts aim to identify the origin of the jalapeños and any weak points in the supply chain. * Sampling at farms and processing sites * Interviews with suppliers and distributors * Public advisories to inform consumers Tips to reduce risk of foodborne illness. * Keep raw produce separate from ready-to-eat foods. * Wash cutting boards, knives, and counters after contact with raw vegetables. * Refrigerate perishable items promptly. * When in doubt, discard suspect products. Safe handling and quick action can prevent more people from getting sick. Give your feedback. Lucas Bennett is a U.S.-based health writer and editor passionate about improving public understanding of wellness and dental care. His articles blend empathy with expertise, offering practical health advice and inspiring patient stories. At Charitable Smiles, Lucas aims to highlight how small acts of kindness and better oral care can create lasting impacts in communities across America.