How mouthfeel will drive confectionery innovation in 2025
Appealing to consumers’ senses and sensibilities will be key to NPD success, according to a new report
Candy
Why Veganuary is the new seasonal sweet spot for Swizzles
Candy manufacturer Swizzles is bolstering its vegan sweet production capacity ahead of Veganuary, but will the investment pay off?
What’s hot in natural and clean confectionery?
New Product Development spotlight on emerging startups
Embrace the ‘perfectly imperfect’ era in 2025
Get ready to break the rules as rebellion is 2025’s hot new confectionery trend
What’s Mars’ convenience store strategy for 2025?
The global confectionery giant revealed its upcoming plans at this year’s 2024 National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) event.
Sweet innovation: Confectionery NPD at SIAL 2024
There was no shortage of confectionery innovation at SIAL in Paris this month: with innovation tapping into health and wellness trends, future flavors and more...
Pricing fears grow ahead of Halloween
Cocoa and sugar prices are reported to have reached frightening highs, with alarming price rallies predicted.
What’s hot in confectionery? New Product Development from Hershey to Chupa Chups
From a super-king sized Kit Kat to an advent calendar first for Perfetti Van Melle meet the latest confectionery launches disrupting the industry
Has the world’s first 'super candy' arrived?
Protein candy aims to revolutionize confectionery with high-protein treats
AI - like having a crystal ball for flavour trends
Here’s what the future of confectionery flavours has in store...
Five leading colour trends in confectionery in 2024
Colour, though often seen as a small detail in confectionery, plays a significant role in shaping product perception.
Freeze-dried sweets boosted by TikTok as new confectionery craze
Bursting onto our shelves and socials with eclectic flavours and novel textures, freeze-dried candies are set to be the coolest confectionery trend of 2024.
Four ways confectionery brands are customizing the consumer experience
Confectionery brands are now offering custom experiences that go beyond taste, making every bite uniquely memorable. Here we examine four game-changing trends
The rise of 'Summerween' expects to boost confectionery sales
Core holidays like Halloween are being planned for earlier by consumers who are simultaneously looking for value in their holiday preparations and a desire for extended celebrations, which gives brands an opportunity to offer more assortments, formats...
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Hershey and Liquorice Flyers
From an unexpected Coca-Cola x Mondelēz mash-up to Halloween fever at Hershey, meet the latest confectionery launches disrupting the industry
Unpacking sweet proteins
Sweet proteins can provide benefits that other sweeteners can’t, and without some of the drawbacks they provide. But how can they be produced?
New Product Development
What’s hot in confectionery? New Product Development from Mondelēz and Bazooka Candy
From Cadbury’s ‘fast start’ on Christmas to a pop-up return of the Caramac, meet the latest confectionery launches disrupting the industry
A new European Parliament is here: What policies do confectioners want to see?
Industry association CAOBISCO shares its five-year policy manifesto. Here's what's on the agenda
Tesla enters the candy market
He’s disrupted the car, space and social media sectors, is Elon Musk now coming for the confectionery industry?
2024's top confectionery flavour trends
Discover the five flavour trends taking over the confectionery world, from 'swicy' sensations to nostalgic treats and functional delights
Sustainability in confectionery: Six ways to drive a greener future
In recent years, consumer demand and evolving government regulations have led to significant advancements in sustainability within the confectionery sector.
How to turn summer into a season of boosted sales
Looking for NPD inspiration? Try leaning into sunny season with these six tips for making the most of summer
Should you be marketing on the metaverse?
As one confectionery firm launches its own candyland on Roblox to appeal to young gamers, we explore the merits of brand-building in virtual reality
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Nestle to Swizzels
Giant marshmallows and natural mochi flavours are making it big this summer
Is the nostalgia trend marketing code for a lack of new ideas?
Sweet treat campaigns targeting Gen Xers are really having a moment, but does evoking the past future-proof sales?
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Smart Sweets unveils new formula across portfolio at Sweets & Snacks
Better-for-you gummy maker, Smart Sweets, launched its new and improved formula across its portfolio, including five new SKUs, catering to consumers seeking healthier candy for nearly any type of occasion, Katrina Hahn, Smart Sweets’ co-CEO, told...
Seasonal innovation
How to get ready for halloween 2024
As the majors finalise their campaigns for candy’s ‘biggest moment’ how can smaller confectioners turn spooky season into sales?
Smart technology
Five ways AI is transforming the confectionery sector
With AI at the helm, the confectionery industry is entering a new era of innovation and efficiency, transforming everything from product creation to personalized marketing strategies. Here's how
Back to black: Why licorice is having a renaissance
From ancient medicine, to modern European delicacy, licorice is finally going global. Here’s what you need to know about confectionery’s black gold
Airheads debuts underwater candy vending machine
Taking its marketing efforts to new depths, the US candy maker is focused on fun
From chewy to sweet: how consumers’ location shapes their gummy preferences
There’s no one-size-fits-all all formulation for the European market when it comes to gummies, finds a new study. Here’s how consumers choose their chews
Sweet and healthy? Discover the top five functional foods in confectionery
Adding probiotics, protein and fibre and removing sugar and animal ingredients mean 2024 is set to be the year of better-for-you confectionery. Here are the functional features disrupting the industry
Haribo and Lidl unite once more
Are the two leaders, one in the global sweets space and one in the budget supermarket arena, back for good?
M&A activity reveals positive news for food and beverage industry
Increased production costs, regulatory changes and consumer uncertainty have put pressure on the food and beverage industry in recent years, but could we be seeing the first signs of recovery?
The top 4 packaging trends in confectionery in 2024
With packaging as diverse and innovative as the sweet treats it houses, 2024 sees brands accelerate their environmental, visual and technological know-how
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Hershey pioneers new innovation in retail AR at 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo
Hershey arrived in Indianapolis for this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo with a raft of new products – and latest innovations in augmented reality (AR) as part of its retail capabilities and merchandising strategies.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Chocolate brands cash in on America’s largest candy and snack trade show
The 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo became a launch pad for companies looking to crack the US confectionery market with new products from Colombia’s Vivamor, Canada’s Lovo Chocolate, along with reboots of classic brand Godiva and a new partnership deal for...
The top five sustainability trends in confectionery
As consumers’ ethical values become ever more baked into their confectionery choices, from Hershey to Mondelez and Nestle, we explore the ways brands are pivoting to more sustainable practises
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Mars Wrigley, Chocolate Cordillera, and Godiva all set to make their mark at the Sweets & Snacks Expo
We take a look at some of the upcoming highlights from this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo.
R&D
Warheads corral fans for new flavours to its chewy portfolio
Warheads, a brand of Impact Confections, Inc., has launched Sour Berry Mix Cubes, a sweet addition to its #1 selling chewy line.
Finanical results
Hershey records profit rise in Q1 as domestic market holds steady
The Hershey company reported an uptick in sales, income, and earnings per share when it announced net sales and earnings for the first quarter ended 31 March, 2024.
Financial results
Mondelēz maintains positive outlook for 2024 on back of strong Q1
Mondelēz International has maintained the company expects Organic Net Revenue growth of 3% to 5% in its 2024 Outlook after the Cadbury parent beat market expectations for first-quarter sales and profit.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Sweets & Snacks Expo prepares for new Indy experience
The annual Sweets & Snacks Expo convenes thousands of confectionery and snack industry professionals and hundreds of chocolate and candy companies for the largest trade event in North America. After 25 years in Chicago, it is moving on to a new home in...
News
British rock candy faces extinction
Ten Blackpool-based confectionery manufacturers have come together to urge UK Government to grant rock origin protection status after ‘cheap, imitation imports’ place their businesses at risk.
Driving confectionery sales through promos, micro-occasions, catchy displays
Consumers continue to buy sweet treats as rewards and to celebrate despite higher prices due to inflation, helping confectionery sales reach $48bn in 2023 and potentially $61bn by 2028, according to the National Confectioners Association’s State of...
Nassau Candy introduces more bulk candies, expands into dextrose market
Nassau Candy’s positioning in confectionery as an importer, manufacturer and distributor allows the company flexibility to focus on innovation and its customers’ needs by filling in the gaps from discontinued but in-demand products, Dana Rodio, director,...
Artificial Intelligence - special report
How AI can improve product quality and consumer experience in confectionery
Two of the standout sessions at the NCA’s recent State of the Industry Conference covered ‘The transformative power of AI for business and personal use,' where experts unlocked the secrets of artificial intelligence to help brands stay ahead of the...
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Nassau Candy set to add extra colour to Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
The Sweets & Snacks Expo is the premier showcase in the US for the confectionery, candy, and snacking industries and an ideal space for brands and companies to launch new products and reveal the latest innovations.
Industry voices
NCSA names 2024 Candy Hall of fame inductees
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA), which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, has named its 2024 Candy Hall of Fame inductees. They will be honoured in a ceremony on October 26 in Orlando, Florida.
Appointments
Ritter Sport USA appoints Ralf Hilpuesch as CEO
Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG, owner of the popular chocolate brand Ritter Sport, is to establish a United States subsidiary headed by confectionery industry veteran Ralf Hilpuesch.