HARIBO UK has marked a significant milestone with the official launch of its first ever Scottish store, opening today at Silverburn Glasgow. This new location becomes the confectionery company’s twelfth UK retail site and the most northern HARIBO store in the world.
Excitement was evident as more than 100 shoppers queued from the early hours, eager to be among the first to step inside Scotland’s newest sweet destination. The grand opening commenced at 10:00 am with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by HARIBO’s mascot Goldbear. Joining the celebration were Councillor Richard Bell, Deputy Leader at Glasgow City Council, and Caroline Young, Head of Fundraising at the brand’s charity partner, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
Spanning 2,500 square feet, the store offered customers a wide range of HARIBO products including well-known favourites and international exclusives sourced from Spain, France and Germany. A key attraction for visitors was the in-store Goldbear display, which doubled as a social media backdrop offering shoppers a chance to win HARIBO Nostalgix.
The highlight for many was the “Pick Your Mix” station, which featured over 40 varieties of HARIBO and MAOAM sweets, allowing shoppers to customise their own selection. In addition to the broad range of confectionery, the store also debuted a Glasgow-exclusive Goldbear plush toy, dressed in a Scotland flag shirt, designed specifically to mark HARIBO’s first store north of the border.
From long-standing favourites such as Supermix and Giant Strawbs to newer products like HARIBO Nostalgix and Alienauts, the store’s assortment aimed to appeal to all age groups. A range of branded merchandise and gifts also attracted interest, offering customers a chance to take home a keepsake from the launch.
Rebecca Fox, Head of Retail at HARIBO UK, said: “Today was a fantastic day that exceeded all our expectations. Seeing the excitement and joy on customers’ faces as they explored our first Scottish store was incredibly special. The overwhelming response from Glasgow shoppers confirms what we always knew – Scotland was ready for HARIBO, and HARIBO was ready for Scotland.
“This opening represents a significant milestone in our retail expansion strategy. After the success of our Bluewater opening in February and the refurbishment of our Somerset store in July, bringing HARIBO to Scotland feels like the perfect way to continue our growth story.”
Councillor Richard Bell added: “This is a great addition to Silverburn’s retail offer and I’m delighted that HARIBO, with its incredible global reach and recognition, has selected Glasgow as the location of its most northern store in the world.
“Of course, this is going to be a huge draw for youngsters from all over the country and you can see that popularity already today. But don’t bet against the grown-ups popping in too for some Star Mix or Tangfastics.
“And it’s great to see HARIBO Silverburn choosing Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity as its charity partner, as they celebrate today’s grand opening.”
Caroline Young from Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity said: “We are thrilled that HARIBO Silverburn has chosen Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity as their charity partner, as they celebrate the opening of this first HARIBO store in Scotland. This partnership will help us make a lasting difference for the babies, children, and young people cared for at Scotland’s largest children’s hospital.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of HARIBO Silverburn, and we wish the team every success with the exciting launch of their new store.”
David Pierotti, General Manager at Silverburn, commented: “The opening of HARIBO’s first ever Scottish store at Silverburn is a really exciting moment for us.
“HARIBO is already a much-loved brand across Scotland, and this dedicated store will give our guests a new way to enjoy its playful products and iconic treats. It is fantastic to be the destination chosen for this milestone and we can’t wait to see our guests enjoy the new store.”
