Thorntons Continental Chocolate Box

Thorntons is a prestigious British chocolate brand that traces its heritage back to 1911, founded by Joseph William Thornton in Sheffield, England. The 'Continental' range is one of their most iconic collections, designed to offer a taste of European chocolate traditions. While the brand remains deeply rooted in British culture, it underwent a significant change in ownership and business model in recent years.

In 2015, the Italian confectionery powerhouse Ferrero Group acquired Thorntons, marking a transition from a family-run and later public company to becoming part of a global conglomerate. Following shifts in the retail landscape, Thorntons closed its physical high street stores in 2021 to focus on online sales and supermarket distribution. Today, while the brand is owned by the Italian-based Ferrero, major production of its boxed chocolates continues to take place at the Thorntons factory in Alfreton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom.