The Sour Patch Kids brand is “lighting up the candy aisle” with its latest innovation: Sour Patch Kids Strawberry-Watermelon Glow Ups, the first-ever gummy candy that glows under blacklight, said Mondelēz, which produces the candy. “Coated with edible confetti that glows, these soft and chewy candies bring an experiential twist to Sour Patch Kids' signature sour-then-sweet sensation,” the company said in a press release.
The candy is layered with “special edible confetti that emits a fluorescent glow when under a blacklight due to the use of turmeric extract.”
The candy will be available later in March in a 3.08 oz small peg bag and a 6.7 oz large peg bag. Mondelēz is also launching Swedish Fish Mini Strawberry-Watermelon Glow Ups this March.
The Hershey Company recently launched Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried, according to a press release.
“Using cutting-edge freeze-drying tech, we've transformed our signature varieties—green apple, blue raspberry and watermelon—into light, ultra-crunchy bites that puff up in size and deliver a punch of flavor with every bite. This innovative process removes moisture while intensifying Jolly Rancher's bold fruit flavors, creating an amplified burst of fruity intensity and the ultimate sensorial experience candy lovers won’t be able to resist,” said Hershey.
In the June 2024 issue of NACS Magazine, “On a Sugar High” delved into the freeze-dried candy trend. Freeze-dried candy was showcased at numerous booths during the 2024 NACS Show in Las Vegas.
Mars recently announced that M&M's introduced its first-ever rewards program—M&M's Fun Club—“where members can earn points for every M&M's purchase and redeem them for exclusive prizes, colorful experiences and giveaways,” Mars said in a press release.
To celebrate the launch of this sweet rewards program, for a limited time, the M&M's brand is giving anyone who signs up for the M&M's Fun Club a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime prize—a sleepover inside the M&M's Times Square Store in New York City.
How did candy fare in c-stores in 2024? Join your peers for convenience specific data at the NACS 2025 State of the Industry Summit April 8-10 in Dallas.