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ECRM Focus
These Products for Halloween and Christmas 2007 Will be Among the Many new Offerings Presented at the Nca/ecrm Seasonal Marketplace Held Feb. 18– 22 in Kansas City, mo.
New Red Vines Straws Item Is Fun – With No Strings Attached!
New from
American Licorice is the Red Vines Super Strings Peelable, Chewable,
Playable Straws. With six Original Red flavored laces wrapped around a
center straw, the new and improved product is fun and creative, a unique
twist to a candy straw. SuperStrings are available in a 14-oz.,
resealable, laydown bag.
Contact, American Licorice Company, (541) 617-0800,
New Belgian Artisan Chocolates from MultiZEN
MultiZEN Foods
announces a new line-up of Belgian artisan chocolates called Chocolats
Christina. These chocolates are hand-crafted in the old world European
tradition using recipes that have evolved for more than 200 years, giving
the chocolates their elegant flavors. By using the best ingredients from
around the world, Chocolats Christina is raising the standard with its
uncompromising approach to the world of chocolate.
Presented in elegant gift boxes of various sizes and
prices, the line-up of Chocolats Christina includes truffles, nougats,
solids and ganache pieces in espresso bean, pistachio, white champagne
truffles, walnuts, and other flavors created to please the palate of the
chocolate connoisseur.
Contact: Corporate offices at (858) 569-4101 or e-mail
Carol Prior,
Barricini Goes for the Gold with New Chocolates
Barricini
Chocolate is attending ECRM for the first time and will introduce a new
line of chocolates created in 2006 as well as a brand new line. The 2006
line includes a full selection of gourmet chocolates packaged in clear
acetate tubs with items such as crunchy, rich English Toffees in both milk
and dark chocolate with a choice of flavors that include almond, pistachio
and cashew toppings; Barricini’s toffee is distinctive thanks to the
many large nut pieces used to top it. The tub line also features milk
and dark Chocolate Grahams. Other staple items in the line are milk and
dark chocolate Caramel Nut Clusters with a choice of pecan, cashew or
almond nuts as well as rich and creamy chocolate-covered milk and dark
crunchy pretzels. Barricini’s Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans,
creative Barks with Fruit and Nut inclusions, and rich, creamy fudge have
become favorites as well. The line is available in assorted 48-count
shippers as well as open stock cases. The Barricini Gold Line has the
company’s best Chocolate Covered Grahams, Toffee and Caramel Nut
Clusters packaged in a traditional upscale gold box with a beautiful,
nostalgic picture/label of the candy.
Contact: Barricini, (570) 457-6756,
Maramor’s Chocolate Coal All Set for Stockings
Help Santa
serve up some fun for those who’ve been either naughty or nice with
Premium Milk Chocolate Coal from Maramor. A floor display/power wing
contains 192 pieces of Milk Chocolate Coal. 36-count shipper options are
available as well.
Contact: Maramor Chocolates, (800) 843-7722,
What’s New from Zachary Confections
Zachary
Confections has been manufacturing quality confections for over 55 years,
and although the company stays up to speed with current trends, there are
some things that have not changed over time. Cordial Cherries are one of
Zachary’s most enduring successes. Recent changes include updated
packaging and a variety of new sizes. The Cordial Cherries are available in
3.3-oz., 6.6-oz. (also available in Dark Chocolate), 12-oz., and 16-oz.
boxes.
The line of everyday chocolates is a staple at
Zachary. It includes Milk Chocolate Covered Raisins, Double Dipped Peanuts,
Bridge Mix, Mini Caramels, and others offered in 5-oz. and 8-oz. peg bags
and acetate tubs from 12 ounces to 16 ounces.
Candy Corn is not just for the Halloween candy
consumer. Zachary Confections delivers a variety of different corn for
almost every season. Zachary’s award-winning Mello Creme line
includes Candy Corn, Indian Corn, Autumn Mix, Fall Festival Mix, and
others. This line features products in bags ranging from 9 ounces to 22
ounces and tubs ranging from 17 ounces to 20 ounces. Specifically for
Halloween is the Trick or Treat bag, which includes 1-oz. packets of the
award-winning Candy Corn. Trick or Treat bags are available in 24-oz. and
50-oz. sizes.
Contact: Zachary Confections, stephanie@zc-inc.com,
Pez Keeps It Playful for Halloween, Christmas
Pez offers a
variety of assortments for Halloween and Christmas including 12/12-count
poly pack counter displays, 108-count floor displays, 3/12-count blister
packs (a dispenser and three rolls of candy), and 4/12-count poly pack clip
strips.
Contact: Pez, (203) 795-0531,
Tropical Unveils Palatable Pleasures Collection
Tropical Foods
Inc. introduces the Palatable Pleasures Holiday Collection 2007. The
collection includes Tropical’s manufactured candy and snack items.
The trays come in shelf-ready display cases that allow the tray to be
displayed vertically. Trays are available in two depths and have suggested
retail prices starting at $4.99.
Contact: Tropical Foods Inc., (800) 538-3941,
orders@tropicalohio.com,
Sour Punch Punches Up Its Packaging
American
Licorice Co.’s Sour Punch brand has updated its look. The fresh, new,
kid- and teen-preferred graphic design was created to stop kids in their
tracks at retail and also includes a new, attention-grabbing logo. Sour
Punch’s “sour somebody” flavor options include
Strikin’ Strawberry, Zappin’ Apple, Blue Razmatazz,
Zip-Zappin’ Watermelon, Chargin’ Cherry, Grape Blast,
Blitz-n-Berry, and Citrus Strike. The Sour Punch brand offers a variety of
fun forms and pack types. Sour Punch Straws are the fun and functional sour
chewy candy in the iconic tray package, offered in both 2-oz. and 4.5-oz.
sizes as well as a 4.5-oz. hanging bag. Sour Punch Bites are bite-sized,
thick and chewy sour candy available in 5.0-oz. hanging bags. Sour Punch
brand Twists come in individually wrapped, three-inch fun-size pieces and
are available in a 50-count/10-ounce laydown bag, a 125-count/24-oz.
laydown bag, and a 225-count/44.5-oz. iconic jar. Sour Punch brand Twists
are also available unwrapped as a 5-inch thick and hearty chew piece in a
4-lb. jar. Sour Punch brand Ropes are nine inches of individually wrapped
sour chewy candy in a solid rope shape and are sold in 30-count boxes.
Contact: American Licorice Company, (541) 617-0800,
Brach’s Offers Canisters and More for Christmas
Brach’s
Holiday Canister Gift Pack features two Brach’s holiday favorites
—traditional Peppermint Nougats as well as Brach’s Spearmint
and Peppermint StarBrites in Christmas-themed canisters. There are two
canisters per set with a to/from sticker for personalization. The canisters
are packed six per case.
Available in a 16-oz. bag, Brach’s StarBrite Mix
contains a flavor variety of Brach’s Peppermint, Spearmint, Chocolate
and Cinnamon StarBrite mints. Also appropriate for the Christmas season are
Brach’s Dark Chocolate Stars, which are suitable for baking,
decorating or snacking. The Stars come in a 13-ounce bag, packed 24 to a
displayable case.
Contact: Brach’s Confections Inc., (423)
510-7212,
Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Chew Bar Is Here
Candy Dynamics
is launching a brand new product, Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Chew Bar, to
join its range of children’s confectionery products. The new chew bar
is available in an ultra-sour apple flavor, guaranteed to give kids of all
ages something to pucker about. The Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Chew Bar
comes in high impact packaging featuring a bright yellow and black
“danger” design to emphasize the sour taste and toxic green
color. Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge will be available in mid-summer and has a
suggested retail price of 25 cents. It is packaged in a display box of 75
pieces with six display boxes per master carton.
Contact: Candy Dynamics, (888) 400-7606,
Poppycock Delivers an Indulgent Snacking Option
Poppycock,
which bills itself as “America’s leading premium caramel
popcorn,” is available in four delicious flavors — Original,
Pecan Delight, Cashew Lovers and Chocolate Lovers. Poppycock is noted for
what the company describes as “our amazing glaze” and is
available in premium foil stand-up bags, small and large canisters and
boxes.
Contact: Lincoln Snacks Company, a part of Ubiquity
Snacks, (312) 993-5700,
New Ferrero Brand Unveiled
Making its
debut from Ferrero are Ferrero Rondnoir Gift Boxes, available on Christmas
2007 displays. Rondnoir is described as a “refined confection,”
filled with a dark chocolate cream and “black pearl” of fine
dark chocolate in the center, surrounded by a crisp wafer topped with dark
chocolate morsels. Package types include a 1-oz. three-pack with a
suggested retail price of $1.09, a 4.2-oz. box with a suggested retail
price of $3.29, and a 5.6-oz. box with a suggested retail price of $5.29.
The company also is unveiling a new mix for Christmas
2007 — it’s the Ferrero Prestige Assortment comprised of
Ferrero Rocher fine hazelnut chocolate, Ferrero Rondnoir fine dark
chocolate, and Ferrero Garden Coco, an almond coconut confection. Prestige
assortments include a 4.5-oz. tree gift box with a suggested retail price
of $5.99, a 5.5-oz. rectangular gift box with a suggested retail price of
$5.99, and 8.8-oz. diamond gift box with a suggested retail price of $9.49.
Also available from Ferrero for next Christmas are the 8.9-oz. Ferrero
Rocher gift cube with a suggested retail price of $12.89 and the 7-oz.
Ferrero Rocher Classic Bell with a suggested retail price of $7.49.
Contact: Ferrero USA, 1-800-FERRERO,
Fresh and Fruity from Liberty Orchards
Aplets &
Cotlets, Berry Delights, Fruit Delights, Fruit Tropicals and Fruit
Chocolates Holiday Gift Boxes feature candies made with real fruit juices,
fruit purees and premium nuts. The ingredients are slow-simmered together
to condense the rich flavors and bring a smooth texture to the candies. The
candy is hand-packed into 8-oz. and 12-oz. gift boxes, which carry
suggested retail prices of $3.99 and $5.99 respectively. They are available
in 12-count, open-stocked cases, 48-count shippers and a variety of display
PDQs.
Contact: Liberty Orchards Co., (800) 231-3242,
Seattle Gets Celebratory for 2007 Holiday
Holiday 2007
options from Seattle Chocolates include the Celebrate! 1.5 oz. box
perfectly sized as an “add on” gift with a card and to
encourage multiple sales. Mint and dark chocolate flavors are offered; the
suggested retail price is $2.50 to $2.99. The Celebrate! box comes packaged
12 units per display case featuring truffle photo. The 1.5-oz. Snowflake
box makes an impression thanks to its color scheme of black with vibrant
red and gold foil. Flavors are mint and dark chocolate, and the suggested
retail price is $2.50 to $2.99. The Snowflake box comes 12 units per
display case; the display case features a truffle photo. Also available
from Seattle is the 8 oz. Snowflake box, which is new to the Christmas
line. It features bright gold and red foil against a deep, rich black
background; the suggested retail price is $9.99 to $12.50. Assorted flavors
are mint, dark chocolates, espresso and peanut butter. It comes packaged
six straight in a case, or retailers may select a PDQ display with an
assortment of boxes. The Snowflake PDQ display features truffle photo in an
easy-to-merchandise display box.
Contact: Seattle Chocolate Company, (425) 264-2702,
Kandy Kastle’s New Halloween Line-up
Kandy Kastle, a
division of MultiZEN foods, is launching a new line-up of Halloween candies
to be shown for the first time at ECRM. Sure to attract attention are the
Monster Mallow Spring Pops complete with 3-D heads made of marshmallow.
With a flip of the wrist, these pops spring back and forth. Also featured
in the line-up is the Bite Me Mallow Burger, a pumpkin marshmallow face
burger complete with “cheese” and “bun.” The Take
Out Sweet ‘n Sour Monsters come with chopsticks, which makes it
possible to consume the sweet and sour gummy monsters in authentic
“Chinese dining” style. All three items have a suggested retail
price of 99 cents and come 12 to a display box, two boxes in a case.
Contact: Kandy Kastle, (858) 569-4101,
Lindt’s Festive Holiday 2007 Assortment
The Lindt
Holiday 2007 Collection offers a wide range of products to cover a
multitude of consumer usage occasions. Stocking stuffers include
Lindt’s 3.5 oz. Milk Snowman, the newest addition to the line, and
the Gold Reindeer, the company’s most popular hollow figure in milk
chocolate. Candy dish items include an 8.5 oz. bag of 60% Extra Dark Lindor
Truffles, the fastest growing flavor of Lindt’s most popular brand.
Gift items include fun Lindor packages, like the Snowman Truffle Elegance
box featuring Lindt’s seasonal flavor: a milk chocolate shell with a
smooth melting white center, or the Lindor Ornaments as well as
Lindt’s exquisite pralines. The successful Lindt Classics assortments
will be featured with a red seasonal lid in tandem with the recently
launched dark chocolate assortment.
Contact: Lindt & Sprungli USA, (603) 778-3475,
Dorval Introduces Elizabeth Shaw
Dorval
announces the addition of Elizabeth Shaw to its portfolio of brands. The
product range includes Chocolate Crisps, Irish Cream Truffles, Famous Names
Liqueurs and Vodka Shots. Chocolate Crisps are foil-wrapped chocolates with
honeycomb crisps available in three varieties: Milk Chocolate Crisps with
Mint, Dark Chocolate Crisps with Mint and Dark Chocolate Crisps with
Orange. Seven-ounce packages come in eight-count case packs. Irish Cream
Truffles come in 5.9-oz. cream-colored boxes, packed eight to a case; they
combine fine milk chocolate with classical Irish cream liqueur. Famous
Names Dark Chocolate Liqueurs are selections of high quality dark
chocolates combined with a variety of smooth liqueur centers; 3.8 and
6.8-oz. boxes each come in eight-count case packs. Vodka Shots boast smooth
Russian vodka covered in milk chocolate with four different flavors
packaged in trendy tube packaging. The 6.8-oz. packages come in
eight-count packs.
Contact: Dorval Trading Co., (800) 367-8252,
Shonfeld’s Offers Great Gift Options
Shonfeld’s
assortment of Christmas items offers a broad range of gift-giving options
packaged in mugs as well as boot- and Christmas tree-shaped containers.
Candy options include designer jelly beans, gummies, gum balls and more,
available at low price points. Year-round designs are also available.
Contact: Shonfeld’s, (714) 429-1922,
Cadbury Adams Ready to Treat Kids to Sour Patch and
Swedish Fish
A variety
of product options featuring Cadbury Adams’ Sour Patch Kids and/or
Swedish Fish are offered for Halloween 2007. Sour Patch Kids are sour
coated and sweet candy pieces available in orange, lime, lemon and berry
flavors. Swedish Fish is a soft and chewy candy that delivers a rush of
fruit flavor in each bite. Halloween items include: Sour Patch Kids
Treatsize 10.2-oz. laydown bag (24 bags per display case); Swedish Fish
Treatsize 10.2-oz. laydown bag (24 bags per display case); Sour Patch Kids
& Swedish Fish Treatsize, 25-count laydown bag (12 bags per display
case); Sour Patch Kids & Swedish Fish Treatsize 50-count laydown bag
(18 bags per display case); and Sour Patch Kids & Swedish Fish
Treatsize 115-count laydown bag (9 bags per display case).
Contact: Cadbury Adams USA, Dave Fleischer, (973)
909-2506,
Things Will Be Popping for Halloween
Pop Rocks
offers a variety of items to keep the fun coming at Halloween. At .33-oz.,
Pop Rocks Pumpkin Patch singles deliver the fun of Pop Rocks with orange
flavored rocks; they are available in 36-count display boxes and 144-count
shippers. Pop Rocks Dips Spooky Orange is a .63-oz. item with orange
flavored rocks and a black lollipop available in 30-count display boxes and
144-count shippers. The Pop Rocks Halloween laydown bag features 20 mini
pouches available in a 12-count PDQ case. And, finally, the 14-count box,
new edition of Build Your Own Skeleton Pop features seven unique body parts
that snap easily together to make a 20-inch skeleton.
Contact: Pop Rocks, (770) 399-1776,
Lance’s Tom’s Brand Goes Seasonal
For the first
time in its long history, Lance’s Tom’s brand is offering
seasonal packaging. Festive, holiday-themed one-pound laydown bags for both
Halloween and Christmas 2007 contain 65 – 75 Peanut Butter Twist
Logs. A 24-count, two-color tear-away case also boasts fun, seasonal
designs. The brand celebrates its nostalgic roots (which extend back to
1926); all packaging features a burst that states, “Remember when you
were a kid?”
Contact: Tom’s, Ron Vogler, (800) 704-1983, Ext.
127, rvogler@lance.com,
Sunrise Thinks Big for Coming Holiday Season
Capitalizing on
the success of the new designs and products introduced for Christmas 2006,
Sunrise Confections is offering three new “Big Bags” for the
upcoming holiday season. Packed in 12-count cases, the items include 15-oz.
Peppermint Starlights, 20-oz. Holiday Wreaths, and 20-oz. Holiday Spice
Drops. As with the smaller bags, bright, colorful graphics and large
callouts simplify product differentiation, while metalized silver ink
ornaments make the package “pop” off the shelf. In
addition, windows on the front, back and side of the bags allow consumers
to see the high quality product inside no matter how the package is turned.
These Big Bags also present higher-ring opportunities for retailers,
thus creating a win-win situation for retailer and consumer alike.
Contact: Sunrise Confections, (800) 685-1475,
Pop Rocks Gets Into the Christmas Spirit
For the
Christmas season, .33 oz. Pop Rocks Candy Cane singles provide a
peppermint-flavored version of Pop Rocks; they are available in 18-count
display boxes and 144-count shippers. The Pop Rocks Candy Cane Fun Size
features 36 mini pouches of peppermint-flavored rocks available in 12-count
PDQ cases. The Pop Rocks Nostalgia Retro Tin delivers the fun of Pop Rocks
in a tin that also is a bank; it contains eight mini pouches of Pop Rocks.
Contact: Pop Rocks, (770) 399-1776,
Tis the Season for New Arcor Christmas Items
Arcor offers a
long list of holiday items for Christmas 2007. They include Arcor’s
Deluxe Mix in three- and four-pound gift tins. This premium mix of candies
includes strawberry candies filled with cream, chocolate filled mints,
butter and cream toffees, soft chews filled with mint cream toffees, soft
chews filled with chocolate toffees and fruit-filled candies. The tins are
packed in display-ready cases in three colors or club pallets.
Arcor’s Sweet Indulgence stand-up bag features an assortment of
gourmet soft chews filled with cream in five flavors: Chocolate filled with
black cherry, chocolate filled with mint, double chocolate, caramel and
coffee. The 24-oz. bags are packed 12 per display-ready case. Also
available for the holidays are an assortment of premium chocolate bonbons
in 6-oz. house-shaped boxes. Flavor varieties include strawberry covered in
chocolate, Irish cream covered in chocolate and almond cream covered in
chocolate.
Contact: Arcor, (305) 592-1080,
Arcor Celebrates Halloween with Snoopy-Themed
Product Offerings
The venerable
Snoopy is prominently displayed on a variety of Halloween products from
Arcor. A 120-count laydown bag features Snoopy’s Assorted Pops,
bubble gum-filled fruity, tongue-coloring lollipops. They are packed in a
display-ready case in three colors; 12 bags per case. Snoopy’s Smiley
Gumballs are candy-coated 2.5-gram bubble gum balls. Each 18-oz. bag is
packed in a display-ready case in three colors; 12 bags per case. Among
Arcor’s other Halloween offerings is Snoopy’s Halloween Kiddie
Mix created to deliver great value for the consumer with a mix of hard
candy, chews, bubble gum and fruit hard pops. Three- four- and five-pound
bags come 12 per case. The Kiddie Mix is packed in display-ready cases in
three colors.
Contact: Arcor, (305) 592-1080,
Many Options Offered from Original Gourmet
Original
Gourmet Food Company has been in the gourmet food business since 1996. The
brand is well known; products can be found in most major retail stores,
clubs and specialty stores throughout the United States. The company prides
itself on its commitment to value and high quality, not to mention its
award-winning products.
OGFC’s gourmet line includes cookies, fudge,
lollipops and crème wafers. A line of various packaging options is
offered including private label as well as free graphic services and
custom-designed tins. With bakeries throughout the United States, Original
Gourmet Food Company has the capacity to bake more than a million cookies
each day. The products have a shelf life of six to nine months.
Contact: Original Gourmet Food Company, (603)
894-1200,
LaVie Candy in Tins Makes Debut
Euro-American
Brands now is carrying the La Vie line of hard candies. La Vie naturally
flavored hard candy drops come in classic circular tins that are two ounces
in size. The shapes of the candies match their fruit flavor and are
available in nine varieties: Pastillines, Orange, Raspberry, Strawberry,
Espresso, Lemon, Cherry, Peppermint and Tropicales.
Contact: Euro-American Brands, (201) 368-2624,
New Ritter Bar Options Offered
Euro-American
Brands is introducing two new Ritter Bars — a 3.5-ounce Ritter Sport
Dark Chocolate with Chocolate Mousse as well as a 3.5-oz. Ritter Sport
Extra Fine Dark Chocolate 71% Cocoa bar. Also available are 2.4-oz. Manner
Milk Chocolate Covered Hazelnut Wafers.
Contact: Euro-American Brands, (201) 368-2624,
New Tic Tac Christmas 5-Pack
Each festive
holiday pack contains freshmints, spearmints and cinnamon flavors. The new
item is available in September 2007 as a 24-count counter display or a
60-count floorstand. The suggested retail price is $2.59.
Contact: Ferrero USA, 1-800-FERRERO,
Brach’s Mixes It Up for Halloween
Brach’s
Milk Maid Caramel Candy Corn is a gourmet treat that combines the flavor of
Brach’s Candy Corn with the rich, creamy taste of Milk Maid Caramels
for a fun seasonal combination. The combo may be enjoyed straight from the
bag, in a candy dish, as a topping, or mixed with peanuts for a sweet and
salty snack, the company suggests. Brach’s Milk Maid Caramel Candy
Corn comes in a 9.5-oz. bag packed 24 per display case. Also available is a
Brach’s Milk Maid Caramel Apple Candy Corn variety.
Contact: Brach’s Confections Inc., (423)
510-7212,
Candy Tech Has Its ‘Eye’ on Halloween
Individually
wrapped 14g gummies come in a fun eyeball shape. They are available in five
colors and fruit flavors and packed in a “blood-lined”
protective tray. The eyeballs come in a reusable plastic 50-count jar
packed six jars per case.
Contact: Candy Tech, (847) 229-1011,
NCA/ECRM SEASONAL CANDY MARKETPLACE
The National Confectioners Association and ECRM have
joined forces for the NCA/ECRM Candy Marketplace slated for Feb. 18-22 at
The Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. The products featured in this
"ECRM Focus" section will be among the many new offerings
presented by candy vendors at the event.
What are the top Valentine-themed packaged snack* foods eaten during the Valentine's Day season?** | |
Category | % of Respondents |
Chocolate Candy | 77.6% |
Non-Chocolate Candy | 21.9% |
Cookies | 14.8% |
Gum | 4.6% |
Snack Cakes | 2.1% |
Breath Mints/Candy Mints | 1.3% |
*Snack foods defined as candy, gum, breath mints, cookies and snack cakes **More than one response permitted Source: The NPD Group/Snack Track; consumption tracked during the two-week period Feb. 8 – 21, 2006 |
What are the most popular types of Valentine snack* packages? | |
(Among those who consumed food that was themed for Valentine's Day, the percentage of respondents who answered yes to having a product themed as follows)** | |
Packaging Theme | % of Respondents |
Valentine Color (red, white, pink) | 53% |
Valentine Shape | 28% |
Heart-Shaped Tin/Box | 19% |
Other | 32% |
*Snack foods defined as candy, gum, breath mints, cookies and snack cakes **More than one response permitted Source: The NPD Group/Snack Track; consumption tracked during the two-week period Feb. 8 – 21, 2006 |