WA confectionery business Mondo Nougat acquires Swan Valley neighbour Morish Nuts

WA confectionery retailer Mondo Nougat is hoping to leverage its recent acquisition of its Swan Valley neighbour Morish Nuts to bolster the businesses’ reach into the travel retail industry. The two family-owned businesses have spent the past 12 years co-located at 640 Great Northern Highway, Herne Hill — often sharing the same customers and suppliers to the point where both products have become “very complimentary” to each other. It was Morish Nuts founder Archie Moroni’s decision to retire after 30 years in business that kick-started the acquisition. For Mondo Nougat general manager Andrea Romeo, it was a great fit. “We’re very fond of the (Morish Nuts) product . . . so for us it was really just a logical extension,” he told The West Australian. Mr Romeo did not disclose the details of the transaction, which would see both brands under the ownership of Mondino Pty Ltd. “There’s not a stronger brand between the two and I think both brands are really well-respected within the market,” he said. Mondo Nougat is sold at its Swan Valley store, online, and a number of specialty retailers around Australia and Singapore. As well as its retail outlets and online, Morish Nuts can be purchased on Virgin Australia domestic flights. Mr Romeo said Morish Nuts sales have grown more than 50 per cent on pre-COVID numbers. Mr Romeo said the acquisition of Morish Nuts would strengthen the reputation and visibility of both brands in the competitive confectionery marketplace. It would also create opportunities for increased national and international distribution, he said. “We’re very, very strong in the travel retail space . . . (like) the duty free stores,“ Mr Romeo said. “(We’re now) able to go to these bigger companies with a wider range portfolio. “They (might) look big and scary, you’re hesitant to deal with these guys. But you realise what we’re offering really does fit in really well in terms of that local offering, and that’s what they’re looking for.” Mr Romeo added the acquisition comes at a time when businesses struggle to attract staff. “For us, it’s also a really good way to navigate finding staff instead of trying to poach people,” he said. “We’ve been in the same building for 12 years so most of us know each other anyway, there’s always been that sharing of resources.” The combination of the two businesses will take the total tally of staff to 35.