January 13 2025  |  Retailers

Gebr. Heinemann receives confectionery industry's highest honor

By Wendy Morley



The family-owned travel retail giant's commitment to showcasing German and European confectionery manufacturers has earned it SWEETS GLOBAL NETWORK's coveted Golden Watch award

Travel retail powerhouse Gebr. Heinemann has been recognized for its longstanding contributions to the confectionery industry, receiving the prestigious Golden Watch award from SWEETS GLOBAL NETWORK (SG) at a ceremony in Munich's Bayerischer Hof Hotel attended by 350 industry representatives.

The award, presented to supervisory board members Claus and Gunnar Heinemann along with Co-CEO Max Heinemann, acknowledges the company's role in elevating and internationalizing European confectionery brands through its global retail network.

"Gebr. Heinemann is a prime example of how tradition and progress can be united through its innovative strength and partnership philosophy," says Joachim Eckert, Chairman of SWEETS GLOBAL NETWORK. "The company's commitment to the confectionery industry has had a lasting impact on the confectionery economy."

The award statement particularly highlighted Heinemann's close partnership-based relationships with German and European confectionery manufacturers, noting how the company's shops serve as premium flagship stores and international showrooms for these producers.

This platform has proven instrumental in driving the internationalization and export success of European confectionery, with Heinemann credited for establishing new standards in premium positioning, brand development and value creation.

"Confectionery will continue to be a cornerstone of our offerings for years to come," says Claus Heinemann. "In our understanding, it is an integral part of the overall retail concept. Therefore, we are very honored to receive the Golden Watch."

The award holds special significance for the company's workforce, according to Max Heinemann: "The award is incredibly meaningful to us because we accept it on behalf of over 9,000 employees worldwide. Our employees in the shops sell the confectionery daily and know the products like no one else."

Since 1972, SWEETS GLOBAL NETWORK has presented the Golden Watch to outstanding individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to the confectionery industry's development and reputation. The organization connects over 300 member companies across ten countries and serves as the leading communication platform for confectionery professionals in German-speaking countries and beyond.

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