High Stakes In The Chocolate Business

Late word is that Hershey, the longtime American chocolate candy manufacturer is resisting either a merger or a takeover by Britain's Cadbury. But at the same time Hershey is apparently purchased an Indian candy company for $1.5 billion to give it access to that huge market. Executives at Hershey have been under pressure to make moves to respond to the market share lost to chocolate candy manufacturer Mars.

To most persons, chocolate is merely a fun candy to enjoy, but like many businesses, even the candy business is a high stakes venture based on market share and takeovers of rivals. Even soft chocolate has hardball business at it's very core.