The Hershey Company rolled out its new Shaq-A-Licious Slams, a “multi-textural gummy candy … featuring three sweet, crunchy gummy balls in watermelon, strawberry and orange flavors and a chewy, sour mango ring,” according to the company.

Hershey describes the new product as a playful, multisensory experience that allows consumers to create unique flavor sensations.

The product is available nationwide now in a 5.2 oz bag and a 9.8 oz standing bag.

Mike and Ike candies is prepping for Valentine’s Day with the launch of its new limited-time Flavor Crush featuring chewy cherry and strawberry flavors. “This vibrant candy mix is the perfect way to say, ‘You make life sweeter,’” the brand said.

PIM Brands Welch’s Fruit Snacks recently launched two new varieties of Fusions: Citrus Surge and Tropical Tornado. “The exciting new varieties add to the breakout success of Welch's Fusions Original Fruits introduced earlier this year, which quickly became one of Welch's Fruit Snacks' best-selling innovations,” PIM Brands said.

The company said the product remixes two flavors in every bite: one on the chewy outside, one in the juicy center, with three mashups in every pack.

Starting in 2026, Welch's Fusions is connecting with fans through live music via a multi-year collaboration with C3 Presents. The partnership will also offer fans flavor-packed moments at festivals including Governors Ball in New York and Lollapalooza in Chicago.

In 2024, convenience candy dollar sales per store, per month were $9,136, a 3.9% increase year over year, and margins were 51.06%, generating a 4.2% increase in gross profits. The category contributed 3.5% to in-store sales. Read more about candy sales in the June 2025 issue of NACS Magazine story “Sweets Stay Steady.”

Learn how the candy segment performed in 2025 at the NACS State of the Industry Summit April 14-16 in Schaumburg, Illinois.