What’s hot in confectionery?

Keeping up with the latest innovations, trends and updates in the confectionery industry is vital to staying agile and competitive in this evolving space. Learning about the newest tech, regulations and launches that affect chocolate, candy and gum indicates how the sector is evolving and how brands can steer their research and development (R&D) to reflect consumer demands.

Our fortnightly update on new product development (NPD) delivers the latest confectionery releases from startups, growing manufacturers and large-scale producers.

Whether you’re searching for ideas to prompt new formulations, formats or marketing strategies, here is a snapshot of the latest insights to spur new products and business growth. Check out the latest confectionery launches to emerge in the industry.

Godiva unveils limited-edition Belgian Heritage Collection

Global premium chocolate brand Godiva has announced its new limited-edition Belgian Heritage Collection, exclusively launching in the US. The 12-piece collection comprises an exclusive assortment of Belgian chocolates and confections made in Brussels, where Godiva was founded almost a century ago.

Godiva’s latest collection has been created to celebrate the brand’s almost 100th anniversary, which will be in 2026. Describing its Belgian Heritage Collection as a first-of-a-kind offering from the brand, pladis Americas’ managing director, Carlos Canals, went to Brussels with a team of chocolatiers to build a luxury range representing the best of Godiva.

Choosing from hundreds of different chocolates and confections, Godiva selected its made-in-Brussels collection, which is designed to showcase Belgian chocolate’s flavours and tastes, using all-natural and ingredients free from genetically modified organisms (GMO).

Godiva strives to celebrate its roots and Belgian craftsmanship with its newest collection.

The brand hopes to give a glimpse into Godiva’s future, exploring multi-sensorial confectionery while showcasing its craftsmanship, creativity and cultural relevance.

Godiva’s Belgian Heritage Collection includes unique pieces, like:

● Ruby G: Using ruby cacao for the first time, Godiva has created a new variety that uses a speciality mixing process to create a rose red colouration and produces a berries flavour with a dark chocolate ganache.

● Milk Chocolate Cube: Traditional Belgian flavours Sirop de Leige and Speculoos cookies are combined with Godiva milk chocolate.

● Golden Moon: First launched in Asia, the piece mixes chocolate vanilla mousse with biscuit crumbles and almond praliné with dark chocolate.

● Cocoa Pod: Taking inspiration from the cocoa pod, this is a dark chocolate shell filled with a dark chocolate ganache made of 64% Costa Rican dark chocolate cacao and fresh juice from the cocoa pod.

Godiva’s latest premium range also features the Egerie Noir, a raspberry-filled chocolate; Iconique, a Belgian hazelnut praline-filled milk chocolate; Paris Brest, a dark chocolate almond praline ganache; G-Macadamia, a caramelised macadamia nuts and buttery biscuits crisps; White Chocolate Heart, Godiva’s white praline variety; Lingot d’or, a signature hazelnut praliné with extra dark chocolate and roasted hazelnuts; Croconoir, containing dark chocolate ganache; and Twilight Duet, a milk and dark chocolate ganache combo.

The Belgian Heritage Collection launches in eight and 15-piece boxes in select retailers throughout the US, including Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, along with GODIVA.com, and in chosen Global DFS Travel Retail locations.

Fulfil expands its protein-candy range

The Hershey International-owned brand Fulfil has launched its Protein Bites, seeking to combine candy with nutrition. Fulfil Bites contain a nougat centre and a layer of caramel that is housed within a chocolate casing. The product comes in chocolate salted caramel and chocolate peanut caramel flavours.

Available in 1.98oz bags with seven bites in each, Fulfil Bites contain 16 grammes protein, three to four grammes sugar and four grammes of net carbs. The product will be available to buy from December 2024.

Using Hershey’s famous Reese’s peanut butter ingredients and popularity, Fulfil is also releasing its Chocolate Peanut Butter protein bar made with Reese’s peanut butter. Hershey is positioning its second release in as many months as an indulgent protein snack that combines Reese’s peanut butter with Fulfil’s signature candy-like experience.

The new bar will emerge in supermarkets in December 2024. It will come in a new 55g (1.94oz) size, containing 20 grammes protein, two grammes sugar and four grammes of net carbs. Fulfil’s new release will launch with the brand’s core 40g (1.41oz) product size, which has 15 grammes of protein, one gramme of sugar and three grammes of net carbs inside.

Tic Tac launches new flavour

The Ferrero-owned global mint brand, Tic Tac, has released its latest flavour to confectionery consumers: Citrus Adventure. Alongside the brand’s new tangy and fruity release, Tic Tac is launching its marketing campaign “Choose Your Next Match” to encourage consumers to help it choose its next flavour.

Tic Tac formulated its latest Citrus Adventure product to have a mix of sour and tangy fruity flavours designed to create a multisensorial hit of mandarin, lemon and lime. Launched in bright colours and designed to offer bold tastes, Tic Tac’s latest addition is positioning as a product to eat individually or share with other flavours. The brand’s Citrus Adventure variety is available in packs of 0.84oz, 1.7oz and 3.4oz.

Swizzels unveils Christmas-themed Squashies

In a first for the brand, sweets creator Swizzels has launched its limited-edition Christmas-inspired Squashies. Available now, for the run-up to the festive season, Swizzel’s latest elf-shaped Naughty & Nice Squashies come in two flavours: Strawberry Ice Cream and Apple Pie.

The brand’s Naughty & Nice Squashies contain two elves in each bag – one on the ‘naughty’ list and one on the ‘nice’ list. Drawing on the fun and nostalgic references of Santa’s naughty and nice lists, Swizzels aims to bring a playful and personalised touch to the festive sweet collections.

Anticipating indulgence as a key trend this festive season, Swizzels hopes to lean into the popularity of novelty and personalisation in confectionery to boost the appeal and excitement of its products.

Swizzels is releasing its newest product to enhance its Christmas offering and support retail stores with their seasonal sales. The 120g, elf-shaped Squashies are sold in cases of 12.

Wolfgang Puck and GOAT Foods launch Truffles brand

Chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck has partnered with family-owned confectionery business GOAT Foods to debut his first-ever chocolate truffles collection.

Launching exclusively on GOAT Foods’ e-commerce platform, the website features the chef’s new line of chocolate Estate Truffles. The new brand takes Wolfgang Puck’s existing chocolate recipes, which he has previously made for exclusive events like the Oscars, and brings them online to a wider audience.

Using rich and distinctive flavours, the chef’s truffles are positioned as not just an addition to dessert, but the dessert itself. With Wolfgang Puck’s recipe and partnership with GOAT Foods, the chef has strived to use the finest quality chocolate, a unique design and an exceptional experience.

Wolfgang Puck’s latest truffle collection contains pieces double the size of the average confectionery favourite. They are available in 12 classic and unique flavours in 12-count and 24-count boxes.

Sweet Startup Spotlight: J Oberoi

Indian sweet manufacturer and caterer J Oberoi unveils its handcrafted sweet boxes. Housed in its luxe packaging, the Jaipur-based brand releases its premium sweet box collection in time to celebrate Diwali.

All J Oberoi boxes are customisable, so consumers can mix and match sweets and nuts, building on the trends of personalisation and indulgence.

J Oberoi is launching a selection of artisan premium hampers containing a variety of sweets and ingredients:

● Royal Stairs: Featuring a vertical display, the hamper contains a range of curated sweets, including ingredients Pista Loch, Badam Loch, Kaju Kesar Loch and Dry Fruit Laddo.

● Shahi Mithaas: Packaged in an orange and gold box, the collection contains a variety of handcrafted mithai. The artisan packaging includes various sweets such as Baklava, Rose Petal Laddu, Navratan Loch, Badam Tart Baklava and Badam Barfi.

● Virasat: Complete with Dry Fruit Baklava, this hamper features a regal blue box adorned with floral patterns. The packaging houses a range of premium sweets and dry fruits topped with saffron and nuts.

● Baklava Garden: A floral-themed gift box that promotes colour, flavour and celebration for the Diwali season, this hamper contains various Baklava sweets, including Badam, Walnut, Lotus Dry Fruit, Cigar and Mix Tart Dry Fruit.

● Pink City Assorted Sweet Box: Positioning each sweet as a little piece of art, the J.Oberoi gift box contains Pista and Badam Loch.

● The Luxe Passage: The door-shaped box is designed with tiers to house its mithai confectionery, including Pista & Badam Loch and Baklava.

● Treasure of Sweet & Nuts: This Diwali hamper has been produced with various mithai sweets in modern flavours to reflect the brand’s identity of tradition and celebration. The box features a depiction of India via imagery of a camel, an umbrella and a sunset to add nostalgia. The hamper contains Kaju Loch, Passion Symphony, Imperial Caramel Gem and Mughal Majesty.