In the rapidly evolving world of confectionery manufacturing, staying updated on the latest innovations and industry initiatives is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. This fortnightly article series serves as your comprehensive guide to the current trends and strategic initiatives shaping the confectionery landscape. Whether you're looking to innovate, enhance product offerings, or understand emerging market demands, we provide you with the insights and information needed to navigate and thrive in this dynamic industry.
Join us as we delve into the key developments that are driving growth and transformation in the confectionery sector.
Nestlé’s new sustainable chocolate range hits airport shelves
Available exclusively in airports Nestlé has tapped into its consumers’ eco-consciousness with its new Sustainably Sourced chocolate range.
Arriving this summer the bars will be available in 170g and 280g options. Tapping into the personalisation trend, travellers can personalise their chocolate bars by adding their own messages to the product sleeves.
The global brand’s latest collection contains cocoa sourced through its Nestlé Cocoa Plan. With help from the Rainforest Alliance, the programme aims to improve the sustainability of cocoa while also benefiting the wellbeing of farmers and their families.
Nestlé Sustainably Sourced Cocoa will come in a recyclable paper pouch.
KitKat Chunky releases new limited edition
The chocolate giant has also added a new variety to its KitKat collection. For a limited time, the New KitKat Chunky Crunchy Double Chocolate will be on shelves. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, KitKat Chunky’s new Crunchy Double Chocolate variety comes after other limited editions, such as Caramel, Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough, Biscoff, Chocolate Fudge, and New York Cheesecake.
The limited-edition 42g bar is made with cocoa mass sourced from families participating in another Nestlé ESG initiative – the Cocoa Income Accelerator Programme. With an RRP of 75p, KitKat Chunky Crunchy Double Chocolate has been packaged in a wrapper that can be recycled by most supermarkets when returned.
Swizzels creates new giant marshmallow treat
The candy company behind popular European brands Love Hearts, Drumstick and Parma Violets brings a new soft candy to the market: Marvellous Mallows Giant. Swizzels’ marshmallow product will come in its existing popular Drumstick flavour of raspberry and milk, mixing new and nostalgia.
According to Circana insights, the mallows category is growing at +29%. So when considering its next product launch, the sugar confectionery company saw the opportunity to combine light and soft textures and jump on the marshmallow’s popularity.
The Natural Confectionery Co. reduced sugar alternative hits the shelves
Candy brand The Natural Confectionery Co. has released a new alternative to one of its popular jelly candy products by developing a reduced sugar option.
The brand’s 50% Less Sugar snakes lollies range seeks to satisfy health-conscious consumers' desire for reduced sugar in their sweet treats. The brand says its latest launch has less sugar compared to the typical amount found in other snacking options. The new slithery snake jelly option also has no artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners.
The Mondelez International-owned brand has created its reduced-sugar range of jelly snake sweets in five flavours: raspberry, blackcurrant, boysenberry, mango and lime.
Shoppers can get their hands on the Australian candy brand’s new reduced sugar candy variety as it enters its domestic market in July.
Sweet Startup Spotlight
Issei Mochi Gummies
Candy brand Issei Mochi Gummies has released its new Rainbow Pack, featuring its latest flavour, yuzu, along with five other mochi gummy flavours. Available on Amazon and launched during Pride Month, the Rainbow Pack features strawberry, mango, vanilla, tangerine and sour watermelon flavours, alongside its latest yuzu creation.
You might also be interested in the last NPD round-up which you can find here.
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In developing its yuzu flavour, the gluten-free and plant-based candy brand brings together two popular elements of Japanese cuisine: mochi rice cakes and the yuzu fruit. Issei Mochi Gummies’ yuzu flavour contains mandarin, grapefruit and lemon notes.
According to consumer insights provider SPINS and April 2024 data, Issei Mochi Gummies reports it is the fastest-growing non-chocolate candy brand in the US Natural Channel. Launched in the US in 2022, Issei Mochi Gummies is sold in multiple retailers, including Whole Foods Market and Walmart, and sells direct-to-customers throughout the US and internationally to Canada, the Middle East and via Amazon.
At the May 2024 Sweets & Snacks, Issei Mochi Gummies won a 2024 Most Innovative New Product Award in the Small Business Innovator category for its Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mochi Gummies.