MeetConfection & Snack Retailingmagazine.

The issue ofConfectioneryou’re reading right now is the last in the magazine’s distinguished 90-year history.

But the magazine isn’t fading away into oblivion. Not at all.

Beginning with the January/Feburary 2008 issue,Confectionerwill make a transition toConfection & Snack Retailingmagazine. With the advent of the new name, the magazine will expand its focus to include not only confections, but also snack product categories.

For the record, there has been some coverage of snack products over the years. Our new name reflects what will be a more consistent focus on snack categories.

The decision to expand theConfectionerfranchise in its 91st year of existence was not made lightly. The transition toConfection & Snack Retailingcomes at a time when the industry overall is broadening its horizons to incorporate a focus on snacks. Snack exhibitors will be part of the All Candy Expo in 2008 as they were last year. And many confectionery buyers also purchase snack products.

In addition, including the word “Retailing” in the title is indicative of the strong retail orientation that traditionally has characterizedConfectioner.

Members of theConfectionerteam agreed that the time was right to expand our focus, without abandoning our sweet history.Confection & Snack Retailingwill hold fast toConfectioner’s longtime commitment to excellence and its role as the leading voice of confectionery retailing.

Like its predecessor,Confection & Snack Retailingwill offer exclusive features, meaningful data and thoughtful commentary. TheConfection & Snack Retailingteam is committed to investing the creativity, time and capital required to deliver original research and unique insights into the confectionery and snack categories, along with compelling ideas for improving sales and profits.

Profiles of leading or cutting-edge retailers and wholesalers will be featured regularly, along with a series of new special issues exploring ideas and practices for merchandising and sales success.

Confection & Snack Retailing’s editorial coverage includes news and trend reporting, analysis of key industry topics, seasonal product information in tune with the industry’s buying schedule, coverage of promotional events and extensive reporting on the newest confection and snack products available.

Confection & Snack Retailingreaches buyers and influencers within all primary retail and wholesale distribution trade channels. In all, more than 14 trade classes are represented.

Confection & Snack Retailingis led by publisher Jeff Cummings, a veteran of 12 years in business-to-business food publishing, who most recently publishedDairy Fieldmagazine for Stagnito Communications and BNP Media. He is teaming with Lisbeth Echeandia, former owner and publisher ofConfectioner, to guide the sales, marketing and editorial direction ofConfection & Snack Retailingand its sister publication,Candy Industrymagazine.

The magazine is a member of the BNP Media family of business-to-business publications, which includes more than 20 magazines covering the food, beverage and packaging industries. Incorporated in 1926 and headquartered in Troy, Mich., with offices around the country, BNP owns and operates more than 40 additional magazines in disciplines that encompass architecture and construction, mechanical systems, and safety and security.