Cadbury is launching a luxurious milk chocolate brand to plug a gap for an "overtly feminine offer" and tap growth in the female-to-female gift sector.

Koko by Cadbury, which hits shelves next month in handbag-shaped boxes in brown and pink shades, consists of milk chocolates with rich truffle centres (rsp: £3.89 for 200g). It is being positioned as an "affordable luxury" and would make the perfect present, said trade communications manager Kate Harding.

"We have identified that female-to-female gifting is a growing area as women have a desire to treat and be treated," she said. "Koko by Cadbury will appeal to this audience in particular."

Koko was the prominent motif on-pack but 'by Cadbury' had been added to reassure shoppers of its taste credentials and heritage, said Harding.

"We needed to differentiate our new 'special' offer from our current one."