Holiday Candies Filling Retailer Shelves Across the Country
By Christine Lavelle on Nov. 15, 2016CHICAGO -- Holiday-themed treats are already making an appearance in convenience and other stores for the 2016 holidays. Here's an overview of offerings from Nestle, Hershey, Mars, Mondelez and Lindt ...
Nestle debuts 3 holiday candies
Glendale, Calif.-based Nestle has rolled out three new holiday-themed items, including Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup Minis, SweeTarts Soft & Chewy Ropes and Nestle Nutcrackers featuring Buncha Crunch, Tollhouse chocolate and mint morsels and Sno-Caps.
“We know that the holidays are a special time of celebration for all, and we want to help make the season memorable,” said Deep Silver, seasonal marketing manager for Nestle USA Confections & Global Foods.
Nestle USA, with 2015 U.S. sales of nearly $10 billion, is part of Nestle S.A., based in Vevey, Switzerland. Hershey is building out more seasonal confectionery products in convenience stores, noting Nielsen data that says the number of U.S. households buying seasonal candies has increased by nearly 75% this year and last year.
Hershey adds Kissmas chocolates
Hershey, Hershey, Pa., has partnered with four retailers for limited-edition Hershey's Kisses, including Kissmas Gift Chocolates at CVS, Santa Hat Chocolates at Target, Kissmas Sweater Chocolates at Wal-Mart and Kissmas Tree Chocolates at Kroger and the Kroger Co. family of stores.
Mars offers ornament pouches, Minis Mix
New from Mars this season are Snickers and Milky Way bites in an ornament pouch; Twix brand minis in a cane; Dove Promises milk-chocolate gift box; Minis Mix standup pouch of chocolate minis with seasonal graphics; M&M's crispy chocolate candies; and M&M's red and green bottle featuring the Red M&M's character.
Mars, based in McLean, Va., reminds retailers that research from Nielsen and Beacon indicates that 65% of consumers bake at Christmas, with nearly 40% using chocolate candies in their recipes, and shoppers start baking two to three weeks prior, so retailers should coordinate their displays during these peak weeks.
Oreo Big Crunch hits U.S. for holidays
Mondelez, East Hanover, N.J., has debuted the Oreo Big Crunch bar that incorporates the crunchy vanilla-cream cookie and Milka European milk chocolate. The 10.5-ounce Milka Oreo Big Crunch Chocolate Candy Bar hit the candy aisles at retailers across the country on Nov. 14.
Lindt celebrates with special seasonal packages
Switzerland-based Lindt is celebrating the season with special holiday packaging for its Lindor truffles, including the snowman ornament that holds about 15 truffles, and the Snowflake and Trees gift bag with 75 truffles.