CSP Announces Winners of 2020 Retailer Choice Best New Products Contest
By CSP Staff on Nov. 09, 2020CHICAGO — The winners of CSP’s 17th annual Retailer Choice Best New Products Contest are a diverse bunch. These new products—introduced to c-stores between Aug. 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020—represent some of the hottest trends in c-stores and retailing right now, including cannabidiol (CBD), grab-and-go, the evolution of beer and pandemic safety.
Retailers voted for their favorite new products from 15 categories, and awards were given to the contest winners during a light-hearted Happy Hour webinar in the Outlook Leadership Community.
CSP congratulates the winners and finalists, and thanks all the retailers who voted.
Candy
Kit Kat Duos Mint + Dark Chocolate
The Hershey Co.
Hershey’s Kit Kat Duos Mint + Dark Chocolate bar launched in December 2019. It consists of a mint creme on the top and dark chocolate on the bottom, all surrounding light and crispy wafers. The new product was the first new permanent KitKat flavor launched in almost a decade.
Car wash/forecourt
Belanger Cube Wash System
OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions
A friction, in-bay automatic vehicle-wash system, the Belanger Cube Wash features SpinRite ShineMitt brushes that deliver a quiet, gentle washing experience while providing four times the cleaning touches of traditional brushes, Belanger Inc. says. The Cube Wash can also be outfitted with patented SpinLite LED-illuminated wash wheels.
CBD/hemp
Hemp Bombs CBD Gummies
Global Widget LLC
Hemp Bombs' CBD-infused gummies from Global Widget were introduced in April. They are available in original, high-potency and sleep varieties. The traditional gummies contain 15mg of CBD, high potency 30mg and sleep gummies are enhanced with 5mg of melatonin.
Foodservice: breakfast
Supreme Stuffers Individually Wrapped Bagel Twists
J&J Snack Foods
Supreme Stuffers are grab-and-go bagel twists filled with cream cheese and available in three varieties: Plain, Strawberry Jelly and Everything. The twists can be eaten warmed or refrigerated, and have a 14-day refrigerated shelf life and up to four-hour heated hold shelf life
Foodservice: dispensed beverages
Hershey S'Mores Hot Chocolate
Sunny Sky Products LLC
Sunny Sky Products brought Hershey S'Mores Hot Chocolate to c-store hot-disepsnsed beverage programs as a year-round treat in 2020. The launch capitalizes of the household name of Hershey and the flavorful treat that is the s'more.
Foodservice: equipment
Duke HotColdFreeze
Duke Manufacturing
The Duke HotColdFreeze provides versatility and flexibility by allowing foodservice operators to use hot, cold or freeze modes in a single piece of equipment. The product is equipped to operate in hot dry, hot wet, cold dry, cold wet or freeze modes, while both hot and cold modes are equipped with 10 presets that allow retailers to set frequently used temperatures at the tap of a button.
Foodservice: general
Sara Lee Individually Wrapped Mini Cheesecakes
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery
Sara Lee Mini Cheesecakes are packaged in a Peel & Plate cup and individually wrapped for eating on the go or as a plated sit down snack. The dessert treats are available in Plain and Salted Caramel Truffle.
Health and beauty care
Tums Chewy Bites 4ct., Mixed Berry
GSK and Convenience Valet
Tums Chewy Bites Mixed Berry 4 count is a new size alternative intended specifically for convenience retail. The fruity and chewy bites, manufactured by GSK and distributed by Convenience Valet, are available in mixed berry and offer the extra-strength antacid power of other Tums products.
Meat snacks
All Natural Cheesewich Mozzarella and Pepperoni
Cheesewich Factory
All Natural Cheesewich Mozzarella and Pepperoni is a healthy, gluten-free, all-natural, no-carb and double-the-protein grab-and-go snack. Cheesewich products are designed with fast-paced, health-conscious consumers in mind, but tasty enough to savor, the company says.
Packaged beverages: alcohol
Barefoot Hard Seltzer
E. & J. Gallo Winery
Gallo Winery's Barefoot Hard Seltzer launched in February in four flavors: Pineapple & Passion Fruit, Cherry & Cranberry, Peach & Nectarine and Strawberry & Guava. The 8.4-ounce cans contain 70 calories, 2 grams of sugar and 4% ABV. The drinks are gluten-free.
Packaged beverages: bottled water
S. Pellegrino Essenza 500ml PET
Nestle Waters North America
S.Pellegrino Essenza's launched in a 500ml PET bottle that was just right for c-stores. The product's blends of fruit flavors include Blood Orange & Black Raspberry, Dark Morello Cherry & Pomegranate and Lemon & Lemon Zest.
Packaging
Tamper-Proof Seal Labels
POS Supply Solutions
POS Supply Solutions' Tamper-Proof Seal Labels are part of the company’s thermal label line. The labels assure customers that carryout or delivery orders haven’t been opened. Operators can customize the labels by adding logos, websites and promotions.
Snacks
7Days Mini Croissant Pouches
EPTA America LLC
A mini version of the 7Days Soft Croissant line, 7Days Mini Croissant Pouches come in three flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla and Cherry & Vanilla. The line is designed to appeal to individuals looking for a premium snack that’s convenient—easy to grab and go—but also snackable and shareable. Five mini croissants come in a pouch.
Technology
Compliance Safe
Compliance Safe
Built by retailers for retailers, Compliance Safe Software as a Service tracks permit, license and certification renewals, which are monitored through a secure dashboard. Operators can access the documents at any time and set up reminders so they never miss renewals.
Tobacco/nicotine
White Owls DUOS
Swedish Match
White Owl Duos is a series of limited-edition, paired cigar flavor combinations. Two complementary flavors come in a pouch. The first edition of the series—Berries and Cream—launched nationwide in April 2020. Mango and Pineapple arrived in August 2020, with more to come, according to the company.