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...
Gum
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.
Is zero-calorie sweetener xylitol bad for the heart?
Another sweetener has come under fire from researchers, and industry is pushing back.
Sustainable chewing gum brand Milliways pops the growth bubble
With claims to be the UK’s biggest plastic-free, plant-based chewing gum brand, Milliways outpaced the growth of the chewing gum category by 43 times, according to new IRI data after significant investment in product innovation and a public awareness...
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.
Special edition: Plant-based confectionery
Tantalizing textures: the new frontiers of plant-based gummies
Across Europe, there is a palpable enthusiasm for plant-based gummies, reflecting a growing consumer interest in perceived health-promoting and more sustainable products; we speak to Quentin Schotte, Convenience and Snacking Manager for Cargill Food...
Innovation
TopGum unveils new iron-rich gummies at Vitafoods 2024
Gummy supplement manufacturer TopGum Industries has announced it is launching a new clean-label IronGum formula with no metallic aftertaste or added sugar.
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...
SOTIC 2024
NCA’s Sweet Life video candy shorts return for second season
The NCA launched the second season of its award-winning streaming series, The Sweet Life, at its State of the Industry Conference for a behind-the-scenes look at the secrets of the confectionery industry.
SOTIC 2024
US consumers’ chocolate craving continues as sales hit all-time high of $48 Billion in 2023
Confectionery sales in the United States hit $48 billion in 2023 (up from $42.6bn in 2022 ), according to the National Confectioners Association’s 2024 State of Treating report, which was released at its Cconference in Miami this week.
SOTIC 2024
Downs pays homage to key workers and praises the ‘power of sweet’ in SOTIC keynote
National Confectioners Association (NCA) president & CEO John Downs opened this year’s State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) by celebrating 10 years at the helm with the reminder that industry plays an important role in the US economy.
NCA SOTIC 2024
AI, State of Treating 2024, and the Downs’ keynote – what to expect at SOTIC
The National Confectioners Association has been advising its members on artificial intelligence for the past 12 months, so it is no surprise it will play a major part of its State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Miami, which opens this Sunday.
ISM/ProSweets 2024
ISM taps into latest confectionery trends after successful show
ISM and ProSweets Cologne wrapped up a successful four days earlier this week, showcasing a raft of new products and trends for the confectionery industry, after the one-off postponement of ISM last year.
ProSweets Cologne 24
ProSweets Cologne focuses on the reformulation of sweets and snacks
More than 30 ingredients specialists are set to attend ProSweets Cologne, the supplier fair that runs along side ISM sweets and snacks trade show, to offer natural and sustainable solutions that contain less sugar or carry a clean label declaration.
M&As
Mondelēz completes sale of gum business to Perfetti Van Melle Group
Mondelēz International has announced it has completed the sale of its developed-market gum business in the United States, Canada and Europe, excluding Portugal, to Perfetti Van Melle Group.
R&D
Uplift for Rev Gum as it secures $6m investment for its caffeinated chewing gum
Mission-driven energy gum company Rev Gum, the revolutionary fast-acting caffeinated chewing gum made with zero sugar, has announced it has raised $6 million from investors led by YETI Capital; founders of Drunk Elephant; former co-CEO of Whole Foods,...
Webinar
Free webinar: Sweetest innovations – can an AI-powered algorithm crack the sweetness code in confectionery?
In the upcoming webinar (airs 13 September), ConfectioneryNews will profile some of the key innovations in the sector that are being driven primarily by consumer trends. As R&D budgets are increased, we have seen ground-breaking innovations in the gummy...
Financial results
Hershey raises earnings outlook as consumer demand for confectionery remains resilient
The Hershey Company has announced an increase of 5.0% in consolidated net sales and an organic, constant currency net sales also of 5.0%. In its Second-Quarter 2023 Financial Results, it also updated its full-year reported earnings outlook to reflect...
News
Chewing gum brand Milliways bags £3m in funding to scale business
Plastic free and plant-based chewing gum brand Milliways has secured £3m in funding to further propel its growth.
Sweets & Snacks 2023
Sweets & Snacks closes Chicago with a record-breaking show
This year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo will be remembered for many reasons, not least because it was the last one to be held in Chicago, its home for the past 26 years.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2023
Adios Chicago: Sweets & Snacks Expo 2023 set to leave its home on a high note
Chicago in May, without the Sweets & Snacks Expo rolling into town, is going to feel different and it will also be a blow to the city’s coffers, as it is estimated the huge trade fair historically pulls in at least $21 million when it sets up shop at...
Retail
Global chocolate retail market to grow by 6% as US confectionery sales top $32bn
Latest research suggests the global chocolate retail market is expected to generate $176.20 billion by the end of 2028, up from $11.23 billion in 2021.
Gum helps combat sugar cravings with 'sugar destroyer' ingredient
Israeli food-tech startup Sweet Victory has released a chewing gum designed to curb sugar cravings. A consumer study on the gum found that it enabled its users to significantly cut down on sweets, as well as lose weight. The product, which is already...
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2023
Sweets & Snacks Expo opens registration for 2023 as it prepares to exit Chicago
The Sweets & Snacks Expo has announced registration is now open for the 2023 show, which takes place at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago from 22 to 25 May.
Growth in non-chocolate candy is outpacing all other confectionery market segments, says NCA report
As 2022 draws to close on what has been a challenging year for many industries, chocolate and candy continues to buck the trend in the US, according to a new report by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) that reveals non-chocolate candy is a...
Analyst reaction to transaction
Mondelēz sells part of gum business to rival Perfetti Van Melle for $1.3bn
Mondelēz International has announced it has entered into definitive agreements to sell its developed-market gum business in the United States, Canada and Europe to Italian-Dutch company, and European rival, Perfetti Van Melle Group for $1.350bn.
NPD
Perfetti Van Melle introduces functionality to Mentos and Smint lines
Italian-Dutch confectionery and gum maker Perfetti Van Melle is adding functional ingredients to its popular Mentos Gum and Smint brands.
Retail
Perfetti Van Melle racks up £100m sales of confectionery in UK
Confectionery and gum supplier Perfetti Van Melle has announced a significant milestone in UK sales.
Natural Grocers results show inflation may jam brakes on future growth
Natural Grocers’ third quarter earnings statement saw the company post moderate growth as it warns that inflationary pressures will restrain growth in the future in the sale of natural foods and supplements.
Sweet Victory and Givaudan create botanical gum for children
A new botanical gum containing a tailored, child-safe dosage of the active ingredient gymenma sylvestre has been created by start-up Sweet Victory in collaboration with Givaudan.
ISM/ProSweets 2023
ISM 2023 moved to April, organisers look at axing ProSweets
Next year’s ISM sweets and snacks fair, the largest in Europe and which historically is held at the beginning of February each year, is set to be radically overhauled, organisers Koelnmesse said.
Sweets & Snacks
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022 kickstarts summer with show of strength - WATCH
This year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago didn’t disappoint, but then North America’s largest confectionery trade show never does ...
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022
Mars Wrigley’s on-trend innovations win plaudits with Sweets & Snacks Expo judges
The snacks and treats maker created a significant buzz at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago with the company’s EXTRA brand winning the Most Innovative New Product Award (MINPA) in the Gum & Mints category for its new EXTRA Refreshers Fruity Mix...
Summertime
US celebrates National Candy Month as vacation season begins
Following a successful Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago at the end of May, the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the producers of the trade show, has launched National Candy Month.
Sustainability
Mondelēz confirms progress in meeting ESG goals
The Oreo and Cadbury owner has published its 2021 Snacking Made Right Report, which highlights progress against its short- and long-term ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals.
Business
Mondelēz to offload US gum brands, prioritises long-term growth
Mondelēz International has announced a major review of its business with plans to sell its gum business, including Dentyne and Trident, in North America and parts of Europe, while retaining it in emerging markets.
Environment
UK chewing gum brand calls for new plastic policy
Ahead of World Earth Day (22 April), UK chewing gum brand Milliways is calling for the government to introduce a new policy that would reduce single-use plastic pollution and educate consumers about the potentially harmful ingredients used in mainstream...
Sweet Victory chewing gum helps fight sugar cravings on two fronts with Ayurveda botanical
Founded on the belief that sugar cravings are rooted equally in physical and emotional needs, the co-founders of Israeli startup Sweet Victory drew on their backgrounds as a psychologist and nutritionist to solve for both -- helping people kick their...
The 'craving-crushing' botanically charged chewing gum that curbs sugar urges for two hours
An Israeli start-up has unveiled a chewing gum designed to stop sugary treat cravings in their tracks.
Behave better-for-you gummies satisfy online appetite, move into candy aisle
In its first year, low-sugar candy startup Behave has faced demand-driven stockouts, reformulated with less sugars and expanded into stores across the US.
Simply Gum expands into gummies & chocolate with ‘low-key’ launches featuring clean labels
After upending the gum category with the wildly successful launch of plastic-free, all-natural gum in a sleek, thoughtful package, the makers of Simply Gum are hoping to strike lightening twice – or preferably thrice – with its recent “low-key” entrance...
Commodities
US demand for chocolate drives up cocoa prices
Record surge for chocolate by American consumers has pushed sales to $29bn, with retail chocolate sales climbing more than 5% a quarter, according to data from Chicago-based researcher IRI.
Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus
UK-based vegan gummy supplements startup expands overseas
Vegums, the multivitamin and supplement gummy for vegans founded by two plant-based pharmacists in 2018, has announced its expansion into the USA.
Functional
BLOCKHEAD taps into demand for functional confectionery with new strawberry flavour
Fast-growing UK functional chewing gum brand launches new sweets to help retailers and operators cash-in on recent interest during the pandemic.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2021
Mars Wrigley showcases new impulse shopping solutions and products
Mars Wrigley unveiled new additions to its popular brands including Skittles, M&M’s and Orbit at this year’s Sweets & Snack Expo in Indianapolis.
Mondelez: ‘Long before COVID, gum has been a difficult category … but it’s important to us,’ snacking
Less than a month after Mondelez revealed it was performing a strategic review of its gum business, triggering speculation about a possible divestment, the CPG giant appears to be reasserting the value of its brands in the category while simultaneously...
Retail
NCA declares June ‘National Candy Month’
June is National Candy Month in the US - according to the National Confectioners Association, who are marking the next 30 days with a number of promotional activities for candy makers and retailers to 'help address the confectionery sales gap between...
UK CBD market ‘the world’s second largest behind US’, association body claims
Consumer demand for CBD products has soared during lockdown, according to the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI), which estimates the sector will generate £690 million in annual sales this year, above a previous forecast of £526 million.