Wispa effect boosts Cadbury sales

Wispa was brought back after a campaign on social networking sites

The relaunch of the Wispa bar has helped chocolate firm Cadbury to achieve an 11% rise in UK sales.

The figure for the quarter to 30 September was also fuelled by two additions to its Dairy Milk range.

Birmingham-based Cadbury said it expected a successful outcome for the year despite the global financial turmoil.

In July the company said it had increased prices by up to 4% over the past year.

Cadbury sold 1.2m Wispa bars in one week after the product's relaunch in September.

'Market turbulence'

The return of the product, which followed a consumer campaign on social networking sites, was accompanied by the launch of a new range of Dairy Milk bars - Cranberry & Granola and Apricot Crumble.

Cadbury had previously announced the loss of 250 jobs, including senior management, under changes to its worldwide operation in a bid to "de-layer" the firm and cut costs.

Worldwide sales rose by 6% in the third quarter of the financial year.

The company said: "It is not possible to gauge with certainty what effect the most recent market turbulence may have on both trade customer and consumer behaviour.

"However, despite these increased headwinds we participate in a resilient category with a strong business model and continue to expect a successful outcome for the year."