NPD Trend Tracker: From spooky treats to Christmas sweets
Food and beverage brands are getting ready for the holidays with this weeks’ new launches. There’s Halloween, Christmas, oh and a little bit of wellness thrown in for good measure.
Because it’s pumpkin spice season of course!
Sweet Freedom is embracing the autumn chill, with the launch of its limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Barista Coffee Syrup – ‘tis the season after all!
Known for its range of hot chocolates, syrups, spreads and drinks, Sweet Freedom products are made from 100% natural ingredients.
"We're so excited to bring this seasonal favourite to our customers” said Deborah Pyner, co-founder of Sweet Freedom. "It’s perfect for anyone who loves the comforting flavours of autumn but wants to avoid the artificial ingredients often found in other syrups. It mixes effortlessly into your favourite hot or iced beverages, adding a rich, spicy depth... just wait until you try it in a cosy mug of hot chocolate!”
Available online.
Image credit: Sweet Freedom
Reese’s creates spook-tacular treats
Reese’s is launching a range of Halloween-inspired chocolate treats this month. Part of the "Become a Reese's Treat" campaign, the new range is part of an interactive competition inviting shoppers to immerse themselves in the spirit of the season. Ending on November 7, participants have the chance to win prizes, including a sculpture of their own head and shoulders, crafted entirely out of chocolate and peanut butter. They’ll also receive a £5,000 cash prize, adding a sweet treat to their Halloween festivities.
Fans can enter by scanning a QR code available on in-store adverts or by following a link on Reese’s social media channels.
"Halloween is becoming more popular every year,” said Jackson Hitchon, general manager of Europe and World Travel Retail at The Hershey Company. The fancy dress parties, the trick-or-treating—it’s an anything but ordinary time of year.”
This Halloween range includes Skeletons Snack Sizes (257g), Pumpkins King Size (68g) and Reese’s Cup Snack Sizes (297g).
Available online.
Image credit: The Hershey Company
Get Christmas ready with Stockley’s
Stockley’s is getting ready for Christmas with the launch of its new gifting range.
Launched in 1918, when founder Malcom Stockley returned from World War One, the confectionery brand was created to bring a little sweet joy to a bleak, post-war landscape. However, despite building an enviable ‘sweet treat’ reputation within confectionery spheres, Malcom Stockley was happy to exist behind the scenes, without fame. Now the brand wants to change all that and celebrate its founder.
“Whilst we’re proud of our hard-earned reputation for sweets excellence, we felt it was time that the public to put a name to the face, which is why this Autumn will see the arrival of some gifting and speciality offers where the Stockley’s name will sit loud, proud and centre,’ said Andy Valentine, head of marketing for Stockley’s.
The new range includes Salted Caramel Malt Balls presented in a champagne bottle (550g RRP £20).
Available online.
Image credit: Stockley’s
The ultimate winter indulgence
Glenfiddich, has unveiled Grand Château, its newest addition to the Grand Series. The 31-year-old whisky’s launch marks the first release by the distillery using red wine casks from the Bordeaux region.
“Bordeaux red wine casks are incredibly versatile sources of flavour and recognised widely for their outstanding quality, providing the perfect opportunity for experimentation to develop a profound spirit,” said Brian Kinsman, malt master for Glenfiddich. “Nine years spent cocooned in these extraordinary Bordeaux red wine casks results in an exceptionally vibrant liquid which intensifies Glenfiddich’s classic fruity character balanced somewhat unusually with notes of deep oak and warming vanilla. Although wine is becoming an increasingly popular choice for maturation within the single malt category, it remains relatively rare to see whiskies finished in a Bordeaux red wine cask, making this an incredibly intriguing and collectable bottling.”
Glenfiddich collaborated with French artist, André Saraiva, to create the artwork for the bottle and accompanying gift box.
Available online.
Image credit: Glenfiddich
High-protein pancakes for the win
The Gym Kitchen is launching a range of high protein pancakes this month.
Enriched with wheat and pea protein, the range includes Maple, with 26g of protein per 200g pack and Banana, with 24g of protein per 200g pack (RRP £2.00).
Since launching in 2020, the brand has stretched beyond its original chilled meals, into frozen ready meals, pizzas, ambient pulse and grains, yogurts and desserts, and more recently, instant noodle pots.
“Expanding into functional breakfast and all-day snacking is a natural stretch for the brand and our consumers have been asking for us to launch a pancake range for a while, so we are delighted to share this offer with them,” said Segun Akinwoleola, founder of The Gym Kitchen. “Bringing nutritious, convenient food solutions that deliver on taste sits at the heart of everything we do at The Gym Kitchen. We’re on a mission to expand our offer to a broader target audience of health-focused foodies, catering for different meal occasions.”
Available online.
Image credit: The Gym Kitchen
