Amrelli Italian liquorice - UK wholesale

A Sweet Opportunity for UK Retailers: The Amarelli Liquirizia Brand

For UK retailers looking to captivate customers with a unique, high-quality confectionery experience, the Amarelli brand offers an irresistible proposition. With a rich history spanning nearly three centuries, a diverse product range rooted in tradition, and a compelling story that resonates with consumers. 

Amarelli is more than just liquorice - it’s an Italian cultural icon, even featured on an Italian postage stamp. 

Here’s why stocking Amarelli can elevate your shelves and delight your clientele:

A Storied History: From Calabria to the World

Amarelli’s legacy began in 1731 in the sun-drenched region of Calabria, Italy, where the Amarelli family pioneered a method to extract juice from liquorice roots and transform it into delectable sweets. The family’s connection to liquorice dates even further back, with records of their involvement in the trade as early as the 1500s. Over the centuries, they’ve honed their craft, blending artisanal techniques with modern innovation while remaining deeply tied to the Ionian Coast, where the world’s finest liquorice roots grow wild.

The brand’s historical significance is celebrated at the Giorgio Amarelli Liquorice Museum in Rossano, where visitors can explore centuries of family archives, vintage machinery, and the evolution of liquorice production. Recognised as one of Italy’s most visited company museums, it’s a testament to Amarelli’s cultural and commercial impact. In 2012, the Italian Post Office even issued a stamp honouring the museum, cementing its status as a national treasure.

This rich backstory isn’t just a marketing hook — it’s a narrative that resonates with today’s consumers, who increasingly seek authenticity and heritage in the products they buy. For UK retailers, Amarelli offers a chance to stock a product with a genuine story, one that can spark conversations and build customer loyalty.

An Exquisite Product Range: Something for Every Palate

Amarelli’s product lineup is as diverse as it is delightful, catering to both liquorice purists and adventurous sweet-seekers. Their offerings include:

  • Pure Liquorice: The heart of Amarelli’s range, made from the finest Calabrian liquorice roots. Available in iconic forms like Spezzata (small, irregularly shaped hard pieces) and Spezzatina (tiny pellets), these sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan treats deliver a bold, bittersweet punch that’s unmatched in intensity. Perfect for traditionalists and health-conscious shoppers alike.
  • Flavoured Liquorice: For those who prefer a twist, Amarelli infuses their liquorice with natural flavours like mint, anise, orange, lemon, and violet. These softer, sometimes sugar-coated varieties broaden the appeal, attracting customers who might shy away from pure liquorice’s intensity.
  • Liquorice Roots and Powder: Beyond confectionery, Amarelli offers raw liquorice root sticks and powder, ideal for culinary experimentation. From infusing drinks to seasoning dishes, these products tap into the growing trend of foodie innovation, giving your store a foothold in the gourmet market.
  • Giftable Packaging: Amarelli’s products often come in beautifully designed, collectible tins and boxes with a vintage aesthetic. These make for perfect gifts - especially during holidays - and their pocket-friendly sizes (like the 20g and 40g tins) encourage impulse purchases.
  • Specialty Items: From liquorice liqueurs (a collaboration with the historic Strega distillery) to limited-edition collections, Amarelli continually innovates, ensuring there’s always something new to entice repeat buyers.

This variety allows retailers to cater to a wide demographic, from nostalgic older customers who associate liquorice with childhood to younger food enthusiasts eager to try authentic Italian delicacies.

The Benefits of Stocking Amarelli

Stocking Amarelli offers UK retailers several tangible advantages:

  1. Premium Positioning: Amarelli is synonymous with quality. Its Calabrian liquorice enjoys a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, a mark of authenticity and excellence that sets it apart from mass-produced alternatives. By carrying Amarelli, you position your store as a destination for premium, artisanal products.
  2. Consumer Trends Alignment: Today’s shoppers are drawn to products with heritage, sustainability, and natural ingredients. Amarelli checks all these boxes - its production process remains largely natural, and the brand’s long history appeals to those seeking authenticity. Plus, many of its products are vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free, aligning with dietary trends.
  3. Versatile Appeal: Liquorice isn’t just a sweet - it’s a polarizing treat with a dedicated fanbase. Amarelli’s range offers something for both die-hard liquorice lovers and curious newcomers, broadening your customer base. Its giftable packaging also makes it a go-to for seasonal sales spikes.
  4. Cultural Storytelling: The Amarelli story - from its Calabrian roots to its museum - provides a narrative you can leverage in marketing. In-store displays, social media campaigns, and staff training can highlight the brand’s heritage, creating an emotional connection with customers that drives sales.
  5. Ease of Sourcing: For UK retailers, sourcing Amarelli is straightforward. Quality Confectionery Wholesale keeps significant stock in the UK and offers fast delivery.

Why Now?

The UK’s confectionery market is increasingly competitive, with consumers seeking unique, high-quality alternatives to mainstream sweets. Amarelli fills this gap perfectly, offering a product that stands out for its craftsmanship, heritage, and authenticity. As the brand continues to gain international recognition - including mentions in prestigious outlets like the Treccani Encyclopedia - its allure only grows.

Stocking Amarelli is a chance to differentiate your offerings, attract discerning customers, and tap into a niche with passionate devotees. Whether you’re a boutique sweet shop, a gourmet grocer, or a delicatessen looking to elevate your confectionery section, Amarelli is a brand that promises not just sales, but a memorable experience for your customers.

So, why not bring a taste of Calabria to your shelves? With Amarelli, you’re not just stocking liquorice - you’re stocking history, quality, and a story worth sharing.

 

Back to blog