Self-treating is pushing the confectioner category forward despite cost-of-living challenges.
By Elena Dimama
Confectionery continues to deliver solid sales for independent retail, despite the challenging circumstances of the past year.
The segment grew by 2.9% compared to the year before, with own-label products having lost share in the chocolate and candy categories, as consumers gravitate towards brands, according to Nielsen.
The vegan way
Offering plant-based choices has never been more important and innovation within brands helps sales soar.
“Providing the right snack for the right moment forms part of our Snacking Made Right agenda, and therefore being able to provide delicious treats for all snacking needs and requirements is of great importance to us,” Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager at Mondelez International, explains.
“Maynards Bassetts’ Fizzy Fish and Sour Patch Kids in Watermelon flavour have both received vegan certification by the Vegan Society. We’re proud that these innovations allow retailers to cater to this growing consumer appetite and offer their shoppers even more choices.”
Over 700,000 people participated in the Veganuary challenge this year, as more people are becoming conscious of their eating habits and switching to a vegan diet. “Innovation within the vegan sugar confectionery category is a strong driver to entice consumers to try out vegan products and keep them coming back for more,” Clare Newton, Trade Marketing Executive at Swizzels, adds.
Multipacks for convenience
The challenging economic circumstances mean that multipacks are on the rise, as shoppers look for a cost-effective way to purchase their treats in advance. “They’re most often bought as part of a scheduled shopping trip by consumers looking ahead, rather than buying on impulse when out and about,” Nash notes.
“Additionally, we’ve seen that shoppers are increasingly looking to enjoy evenings at home as a more cost-effective way to spend time together. This subsequent increase in the Big Night In occasion can be catered to with our gifting and sharing formats.”
Impulse help
PMPs are another way of driving sales, especially in the confectionery category which seems to have been more or less insulated from the cost-of-living crisis.
“We’ve found that stocking PMPs influences consumers’ willingness to make an impulse purchase within the category,” Newton explains. “PMPs help to give customers an enhanced feeling of control over their spending and the knowledge that the price that they see on pack will be the price that they pay at the checkout.
Fruittella enters jellies market
Fruittella is expanding into the jellies segment with its new Fruittella Curiosities.
The themed packs allow shoppers to explore one of two worlds – By the Sea and In the Snow.
The new product, made with 30% reduced sugar, is available with an RSP of £1.50 per pack.
Perfetti Van Melle joins the UK Plastics Pact
Perfetti Van Melle has joined the UK Plastics Pact initiative designed to tackle plastic pollution throughout the UK.
The Pact aims to bring together the entire plastics value chain behind a common set of targets, underpinned by government policy and citizen action.
Hayley Osborne, Communications and Sustainability Manager at Perfetti Van Melle, said: “Our membership of The UK Plastics Pact complements the planned program of goals outlined in our own Reduce, Recycle, Recover, initiative, and will ensure we continue to hold ourselves to the highest standards and benchmarks in pursuit of a more sustainable future.”
