Candy Brands Focus on Innovation

From Ferrara’s new Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters to Mars’ M&M'S Rescue Squad, here’s the latest in sweet treats.

October 03, 2025

Ferrara is rolling out its new Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters, which are “double the size” of a regular Nerds Gummy Cluster and have a drop of juice in the center.

“It's crunchy, thanks to colorful Nerds candies that deliver a bold pop of texture. At the core, it's gummy, with a chewy, strawberry punch flavor that wraps around a juicy center with delicious flavor,” Ferrara said.

The company said that the launch marks the brand's “most anticipated innovation since the debut of Nerds Gummy Clusters candy in 2020, celebrating a bold new chapter.”

The new Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters candy is available in select retailers now and will roll out nationwide in 2.65 oz., 4.5 oz. and 7.15 oz. packs, with a suggested retail price between $2.49-$6.49.

In addition to the new Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters, Nerds is celebrating football season by introducing two new, limited-time Nerds Gummy Clusters candy flavor offerings. The flavors are:

  • Cherry Lemonade Blitz: “A new and winning flavor combination of sweet cherry and tart lemon that's sure to delight any game day experience.”
  • Berry Punch Rush: “An exciting and delicious raspberry, cherry and punch flavor combination that was such a hit last year, Nerds brought it back for a two-peat this season.”

Both limited-time flavors are available in select retailers now and will be widely available nationwide beginning in October and for a limited time, coming in 3 oz., 5 oz. and 8 oz. packs, with a suggested retail price between $2.49-$6.49.

Over at Mars, M&M'S is bringing back “its most spooktacular service—M&M'S Halloween Rescue Squad—for the third year in a row… This year Halloween falls on a Friday for the first time since 2014, which means more trick-or-treaters … Starting at 5 p.m. ET on October 31, fans in Gopuff delivery areas can once again score a [free] refill for their candy bowls while supplies last, thanks to M&M'S,” the company said.

Meanwhile, Ferrero Rocher is “breaking tradition in the sweetest way” since the gold-wrapped praline was created in 1982—it is expanding into Ferrero Rocher Premium chocolate squares, a “modern twist that brings the brand’s signature indulgence into a sleek, individually wrapped square,” a spokesperson told NACS.

Each bite combines chocolate, a creamy filling, roasted hazelnuts and crunchy crispies, and is available in four flavors (Milk Hazelnut, Dark Hazelnut, White Hazelnut and Caramel Hazelnut). Ferrero Rocher said the chocolate squares are available now.

Make sure to check out all of the new candy innovations at the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago October 14-17. Register for the NACS Show here.