While the hot chocolate weather and cosy nights in front of favourite holiday films may be in full force, that’s not created a cold snap in the land of confectionery launches. Leading industry names are leaning into the festive season’s popularity to unveil new SKUs across the sector.
As one of the four big shopping seasons of the year, the holiday season can mean only one thing – an opportunity for brands across chocolate, candy, and gum to increase their sales. As the countdown to the holidays begins, confectioners can enjoy various marketing opportunities to elevate their brands and products in December.
From a boosted presence in-store and online, the popularity of advent calendars that draw on the new-nostalgia trend, holiday-inspired formulations and advert-loving audiences sparking increased opportunities for marketing campaigns to capture their interests – December is a time for launches galore.
Here are some of the latest confectionery releases this holiday season.
Kit Kat debuts its milk chocolate Santas
Ahead of the holidays, Kit Kat has recreated the big man himself in chocolate. In a brand-first, Kit Kat is adding a sprinkle of ‘ho ho ho’ to its product portfolio with its Christmas-inspired SKU.
Kit Kat’s latest addition contains its recognisable crispy wafers and milk chocolate coating – with a festive twist. Launched in new snack-sized shapes, the brand’s milk chocolate Santas are available in 8.85oz bags.
Haribo launches new gummy candy collection
The soft candy brand, famous for its gummy bears, has unveiled its latest portfolio additions in time for the holiday season. Haribo’s latest selection involves a total of six products. Themed around festive trains, candy cane and reindeers, Haribo’s latest offerings aim to offer a mix of holiday-focused treats.
First up, festive-wise, Haribo is releasing its new novelty gift box, Holiday Trains, in various shapes and flavours. The box contains eight bags of fruity and chewy Haribo sweets, including bags of its recent innovations, Goldbears Wild Berry and Unicorn-i-licious, along with existing SKUs, Goldbears, Twin Snakes and Starmix.
The brand’s iconic gummy bears are appearing in multiple launches this Christmas. Haribo’s Holiday Edition Goldbears are fruity and chewy Green, White and Red Goldbears that come in three flavours: Strawberry, Pineapple and Raspberry. Its festive bear variety comes in various sizes,too, including a 9.5oz. lay-down bag of minis, a 3.4oz box and a 4oz. Bag. The brand will also launch its Goldbear Candy Cane, which consists of bags containing five fruity flavours: Strawberry, Orange, Lemon, Pineapple, and Raspberry.
Haribo also combines a notable festive animal, the reindeer, with the sweet and sour craze that has grown in popularity in 2024. The brand’s Sweet & Sour Reindeer gummies come in bags featuring six fruity flavours, including sweet cherry, sweet apple, sweet blueberry, sour lemon, sour orange, and sour strawberry. Launched for the holidays, Haribo’s festive-inspired product launch is available in 4oz and 10oz bags.
Gummies and popcorn are coming together as part of Haribo’s collaboration with Orville Redenbacher to release its CandyRific Holiday Movie Night Snack Kits. The latest product will bring together one sweet, Haribo’s Goldbears, and one savoury, Orville Redenbacher’s Butter Microwave Popcorn.
Terry’s unveils new SKUs
British brand Terry’s Chocolate launches two new retail products, including its first-ever hot chocolate product.
Following the release of its Chocolate Mint Ball and recently launched Chocolate Plain Milk Ball, which will make a return, the brand has created two new formulations as part of its strategy to take the brand ‘beyond’ orange: Minis Mint Crisp a hot chocolate bombe.
Terry’s hopes to bring a fresh take on festive indulgence with its Terry’s Chocolate Minis Mint Crisp. Available in a shareable pack, the new launch contains mini segments of Terry’s milk chocolate made with crispy bits and natural mint flavouring.
Meanwhile, Terry’s Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate Bombe features a chocolate orange shell filled with orange-flavoured marshmallows, which can be placed into a warming drink, ready to melt.
Lakrids By Bülow releases its new Winter Collection
Danish confectionery brand Lakrids By Bülow is releasing its new-for-2024 Winter Collection, ahead of the festive season.
This year’s advent calendar contains double the amount of liquorice. LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW is also unveiling its new flavour, double chocolate, which will add to its chocolate-coated liquorice jars. The brand-new treat will be joined by its existing flavours: classic caramel, crispy raspberry, frozen mint, and the winter selection box.
Airheads unveils its new Sour Bars
The Perfetti Van Melle USA-owned brand amps up its sour candy portfolio with its Airhead Sour Bars. Formulated to offer consumers a fun new spin on its nostalgic classic sweets, its latest creation seeks to add to the sour candy craze that’s been a hot trend in 2024 confectionery launches.
Airhead Sour Bars come in three flavour combinations: sour blue blast, sour lemon berry squeeze, and sour watermelon punch. They are available in both full-size and mini bars.
Sweet startup spotlight
Hawaiian chocolate company KOHO launches its holiday collection in two new festive-exclusive flavours: peppermint mocha and gingerbread.
Featuring ingredients grown in Hawaii, the KOHO holiday collection contains two sets of bon bons and one box of chocolate macadamias.
Designed for indulgence seekers, the brand’s newly-launched holiday explorer green 12-piece box includes flavours such as its new peppermint mocha and gingerbread, plus some of KOHO’s best-selling flavours: kona coffee, guava, liliko‘i, and Hawaiian sea salt. Its holiday green 4-piece box also features KOHO’s two limited-edition holiday flavours, peppermint mocha and gingerbread.
KOHO is also debuting its red box chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Made with 100% Hawaiian macadamias, the brand’s new product uses panning techniques to layer 38% Hawaiian milk chocolate.
