As the countdown to the holiday season ramps up, confectioners are releasing festive-focused SKUs and new formulations that can stand out to shoppers on the shelves. Leading confectionery names are leaning into the festive season’s popularity to unveil new products, selections and flavour combinations across the sector.
In our last new product development update of 2024, we’re bringing you the latest releases from the start-ups, scaling brands and sizable multinationals in the global confectionery space. So, as we gear up for evolving trends, formulations that mix new with nostalgic treats and exciting 2025 releases, here’s what brands are putting on shelves and sites this holiday season.
Baileys Chocolate unveils two new ranges
The confectionery arm of Diageo-owned Baileys, Baileys Chocolates, is growing its sweet treat range by launching two new products before the holiday season. Sitting in the nut category, the brand has released its Baileys Caramelised Nut Mix and Baileys Chocolate Peanut & Cashews.
The Baileys caramelised nut mix sees its selection of roasted almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, and cashews coated in a caramel glaze to offer sweetness alongside a hint of its signature Baileys flavour.
Baileys Chocolates has expanded its nuts-meet-confectionery collection in response to consumers’ demands for small and indulgent treats that offer smooth and crunchy textures. It seeks to appeal to shoppers looking for premium confectionery snacks with added fibre and protein compared to traditional chocolate products.
As the brand works to reduce plastic in its packaging, Baileys Chocolates’ new confectionery releases come in recyclable bags.
Hi-Chew adds Blue Raspberry to its chewy stick selection
Japanese chewy candy brand Hi-Chew introduces its new flavour in stick form: blue raspberry. Expanding its stick flavour selection with its latest offering, sees its blue raspberry release stand on its own, having first garnered interest from fans as a Hi-Chew fantasy mix flavour.
The brand’s Blue Raspberry release marks the brand’s first new flavour offering since Sweet & Sour Watermelon in 2020.
Hi-Chew spotted how the flavour proved a hit with consumers following a 2021 Hi-Chew-commissioned Neilson survey that showed that Blue Raspberry ranks as a top choice among Gen-Z and Millennial consumers. It then became a fan favourite in 2022, following its launch in the brand’s Fantasy Mix alongside Blue Hawaii and Rainbow Sherbet.
Hershey’s Bark and Reese’s Pieces Bark ‘head’ to shelves
According to food blogger Markie Devo, the Hershey Company is set to release two new chocolate products in February 2025. On December 5, Devo announced on Instagram that The Hershey Company’s global brands, Hershey’s and Reese’s, are gearing up to launch two new candy creations in the new year.
Detailing the anticipated launch on social media with a photo preview of what the candy packages will look like, the multinational chocolatier is expected to bring its two new varieties to US retailers in February 2025. The Hershey Company’s Bark range will reportedly come in two new varieties and two sizes: 6oz and 3.1oz.
Hershey’s Bark will emerge on the scene as a nut and chocolate combination featuring a pretzel and almonds in milk chocolate. The product aims to blend salty pretzel pieces with crunchy almonds to offer consumers a sweet and salty treat.
Reese’s Pieces Bark contains Reese’s Pieces Minis and Peanuts, bringing together the familiar brand’s chocolate and peanut butter mix as well as roasted peanuts to give more crunch and flavour.
Mars releases chocolate-based milks
Chocolate giant Mars Wrigley teams up with drinks developers Fire Brands to introduce Snickers, Twix and Milky Way chocolate milks.
Mars has reformulated its favourite chocolate brands into drinkable formats, focusing on flavourful content and reduced-fat offerings that provide shelf stability. The new confectionery-inspired drinks contain 2% reduced fat, 15g of protein and ultra-pasteurized chocolate milk. The drinks come in 14oz 100% recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles, launching in small and large format retailers.
The official launch comes after Mars debuted its new Galaxy Fudge Brownie hot chocolate in November 2024 to mark its 25th birthday and released its Skittles drinks earlier this year.
Sweet Startup Spotlight: H!P launches Figs In Blankets’ chocolate bar
Vegan brand H!P launched by James Cadbury, the great great great grandson of globally-renowned chocolatier John Cadbury, unveils its festive-inspired new chocolate bar, complete with salty bacon in its formulation.
British plant-based brand H!P’s seasonal release, “Figs In Blankets”, combines oat milk chocolate, figs and vegan bacon. There are only 7,500 of the limited edition launch available, which the brand is selling exclusively on Amazon.
The brand’s ‘Figs In Blankets’ product was picked out via a competition, with 15% of each bar’s sales going to the British charity, The King’s Trust. Illustrator Louise Coutinho won the Raising the (Chocolate) Bar Competition, organised by ecommerce giant Amazon and youth charity The King’s Trust. Coutinho created the flavour concept and inspired parts of the new chocolate bar’s packaging.
