Here's some random observations from where I sit.
More chewy candy is coming out from various manufacturers. Do you think that might have something to do with the aging of Baby Boomers? Could it be that candy manufacturers think that too many people over 60 years old don't have the teeth to bite into a hard candy?
Usually customers don't want chewy candy for older folks. The thinking is that older folks have dentures and other dental problems and chewy candy will pull out the dentures or fillings. Just keep in mind the words chewy candy and how well it will do in the market place.
Packaging is getting more colorful and almost reaches off the shelf to snag a customer who is drawn to the beauty of the package. Not only are the packages in brilliant colors, but the manufacturers are putting all sorts of certifications on the package. No GMOs, Organic, Gluten Free, Free Market, Kosher Dairy, Nut Free, Not Nut Free .....on and on. No doubt that candy manufacturers are being persuaded that consumers actually have brains and want to make sure that they are not going to have digestive problems or more serious reactions to a tasty candy treat.
More licensed products. And licensed products means that the price of a candy bar is going to go up. If you want to have Justice League on your package of candy, you better be ready to pay a little extra for that. Who keeps wrappers? Who keeps scrapbooks in which to put wrappers? Computers have done away with scrapbooks (for the most part) and there is no way to save a real paper wrapper on a computer.
Craft sodas. Ok, you know about craft beers but have you seen the vast variety of soda flavors in the market? You name a flavor and I'll bet there is a bottle of soda out there in that flavor.
Dark Chocolate. Every candy afficionado knows that dark chocolate will cure what ails you!! And when Musketeers come out in dark mint chocolate bites, you gotta know that dark chocolate is the way of the candy world.
And finally, candy concession boxes are no longer limited to the snack bar in movie theatres. If the box looks bigger, it MUST be better, right?
I have to add a very peculiar bit of news we received recently. Haribo, the name everyone associates with gummi candy, has discontinued some of it favorites. And I mean, Frogs, Fruit Salad, Pink and White Grapefruit, Licorice Wheels (boy oh boy have we seen some backlash from that news!), Super Cola Bottles and more. I heard some hot shot from Nestles came over to Haribo and told them they needed to package up all their gummis and discontinue a lot of the gummi products. Tears have been shed over this crazy idea. We are hoping other companies will take up the slake and produce those gummis real soon.
And by the way, do you think Kale Chips belong in a candy store? One of our distributors added that item to their inventory. We think it must be for some grocery somewhere which also sells candy.
Stay tuned. There is always something interesting going on in the candy world.
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