The National Confectioners Association (NCA) will recognize Christina Groth of The Kroger Co. and Brian Rinker from The Walgreen Co. as recipients of the 2017 Confectionery Leadership Awards. The award celebrates the honorees’ contributions to the category through their effective business collaboration, category management best practices and innovations in merchandising confectionery products in-store. Groth, VP, […]
Tag: confections
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products, Suppliers
Indulgent Nature Of The Holidays Help Rank Sweets High On Latest Shelf Score
Instantly, the world’s largest audience and insights company, has released its latest Shelf Score report, a monthly top 10 list of the newest CPG products ranked by consumer purchase intent. Based on the findings of the November Shelf Score, consumers appear to be embracing the indulgent nature of the holidays. Sweet treats from revered chocolate […]
Posted in, Northeast
Uber Co-Founder Backs Gasoline Delivery Service, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… The National Association of Convenience Stores reports that Los Angeles-based Purple is out to change the way consumers purchase gasoline by delivering fuel to parked vehicles. The startup, backed by Uber co-founder Oscar Salazar, is expanding to San Francisco and introducing overnight delivery. In Los Angeles, Purple charges $3.79 per […]
Posted in, Northeast
NCA Launches Future Leadership Program
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced its Future Leadership Program, a new initiative by the association’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) to foster industry growth and career advancement. The program will provide support, education, access and opportunity to five deserving future leaders—who are 40 or younger—in the confectionery industry. “A key element of NCA’s mission is to […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Suppliers
Nestlé Removing Artificial Flavors, FDA-Certified Colors From Chocolate Candy
Nestlé USA says it will remove artificial flavors and FDA-certified colors, like Red 40 and Yellow 5, from all of its chocolate candy products. By the end of 2015, more than 250 products and 10 brands, including Nestlé Butterfinger, Crunch and Baby Ruth, will be free of artificial flavors and certified colors. Products will begin […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest, National, Suppliers
Tootsie Roll CEO Dies At 95
Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.’s longtime CEO and board chairman, Mr. Melvin J. Gordon, died Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 95. “It is with great sadness that we announce…the passing of Melvin—we will all miss him greatly,” his wife, Ellen R. Gordon, said. “Melvin’s life represented the very highest values in business, wisdom, generosity […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
M&M’S Crispy To Return In 2015
After a decade of phone calls, petitions, Facebook posts and countless other pleas, Mars Chocolate North America says M&M’S Crispy will return to stores nationwide in January 2015 following a 10-year hiatus. M&M’S Crispy feature a crispy center covered milk chocolate, enclosed in a colorful candy shell. This treat is slightly larger than the original […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
Nestlé Debuts New Treats In Time For Halloween
Nestlé is rolling out new candy this Halloween, including treats from Butterfinger, Laffy Taffy and Nerds as well as bigger variety bags. • Butterfinger Best Assortment Pack features Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups: Enjoy the best of Butterfinger with Butterfinger Minis, Butterfinger Crisp and Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups (30-oz. bag, SRP is $8). • New Caramel […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Mars Says New LED-Lit Racks Can Boost Front End Confectionery Sales
Mars Chocolate North America and Wrigley are introducing racks illuminated with LED lights that the companies say can lift front end grocery sales by 10 to 12 percent. These innovative LED-lit racks—combined with the ideal assortment and shelf pitch—create a brighter environment and make it more appealing for shoppers to browse while waiting to check […]
Posted in, Midwest, Suppliers
Mars Chocolate Opens Production Facility In Topeka
Mars Chocolate North America officially opened the doors of a new, state-of-the-art facility in Topeka, Kan., on Thursday. The approximately 500,000-s.f. facility—the first new Mars Chocolate North America site built in the last 35 years—will help sustainably produce M&M’S and Snickers. “This new $270 million facility, which will bring 200 new jobs to Topeka, is […]
Posted in, National, New Products
New Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Now Available Nationwide
Just in time for the Big Game on Sunday, Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups is making its nationwide debut, adding a dose of Butterfinger to the classic chocolate and peanut butter cup. Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups is available now at major retailers nationwide. Showing how “the cup just got crunchy,” Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups feature a […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Mike And Ike, Hot Tamales Valentine’s Day Candies Available Now
Limited edition Valentine’s Day varieties from Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales candy are on shelves now. Products include Mike and Ike Passion Mix and Hot Tamales Cinnamon candy with special Hottie Valentine’s Day graphics. These recipes were created by Chef Jamie Geller as part of her recent alliance with the candy brands. Mike and Ike […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Stride And Sour Patch Kids Bring ‘Sour, Then Sweet’ Experience To Gum
For the first time, the “sour, then sweet” experience of Sour Patch Kids will be available in gum, thanks to Stride. New Stride Sour Patch Kids gum will hit stores nationwide in January and be available in Redberry and Lime flavors. In the meantime, fans will have the chance to have a first taste by […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Mars Chocolate Introduces Sweet Treats For The Holidays
Mars Chocolate North America is ringing in the holidays with the return of some sweet favorites and the introduction of new seasonal treats. “Chocolate is a quintessential part of so many family celebrations, and Mars Chocolate brands have been integral to holiday traditions for generations,” said Roy Benin, chief consumer officer for Mars Chocolate North […]
Posted in, National
13 Inducted Into Candy Hall Of Fame, Top New Products Recognized
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) honored 13 industry veterans with induction into the Candy Hall of Fame during a black-tie gala Oct. 19. More than 360 attended, a record for the event in Tampa, Fla. The inductees include Russell Berg of E.A. Berg Associates; Robert Boutin of Knechtel Inc.; Robert Edelheit of Hanson Faso […]
Posted in, Midwest, Suppliers
Mars Associates Volunteer With Habitat Topeka Prior To Plant Opening
Mars Chocolate North America’s manufacturing plant in Topeka is scheduled to open later this year and, earlier this month, approximately 50 Mars associates participated in the Mars Volunteer Program by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Topeka to build a home. The effort was part of M&M’S effort to “M’Prove America,” a program designed to […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Hershey’s First New Brand In 30 Years Launches In U.S.
The Hershey Co. is launching a new confectionery brand in the U.S. called Lancaster. The brand will feature a line of caramel soft cremes that will roll out nationwide in January 2014. The introduction of the Lancaster brand marks a significant milestone for The Hershey Co., as it’s the first time the company has launched […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Sophie Mae Peanut Brittle Hits Shelves With New Look, Taste
The classic Sophie Mae Peanut Brittle brand is back. The generational favorite is returning with a new recipe and revamped packaging and product format from Atkinson Candy Co. Lufkin, Texas-based Atkinson reformulated the Sophie Mae recipe to include more peanuts and less corn syrup than competitive products, while also cutting out trans fats, gluten, additives […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Latest Android Platform Named After Iconic Kit Kat Chocolate Bar
Google this week announced the name of the latest version of its Android mobile operating system, calling it Android KitKat after one of America’s most beloved confectionery brands. The creators of the popular mobile platform have teamed up with The Hershey Co. in the U.S. for the next release of the platform, “Android KitKat.” “We […]
Posted in, National
Sweets And Snacks In A Volatile, Fragmented Market
Confection and snack manufacturers have to be where the shopper is, according to Leon Nicholas, SVP of retail insights at Kantar Retail. During Nicholas’ keynote address at the 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago this week, he gave attendees some insight into the snack and confection industry’s retailer opportunities and how […]