New Candy Products for C-Stores Spotted at CDA Marketplace Show

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Candy manufacturers are constantly innovating for the c-store industry. And to that end, suppliers showcased new line extensions and flavors in the category during Reston, Va.-based Convenience Distribution Association’s Marketplace event in Orlando, Fla., last week. The new products, including mints and gum, are tailored just for convenience stores and range from the super sweet to satisfyingly sour.

Click through to see what these eight sweet suppliers have in store ...

After the successful launch of Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cups, The Hershey Co., Hershey, Pa., is taking its Reese’s line further with Reese’s Crunchy Cookie Peanut Butter Cups. This new variety, which features bits of cookie nestled in the peanut butter, will be available in May in king and standard sizes. Hershey also showcased its Mint Cookie Layer Crunch bar, which will hit c-stores shelves in standard and king sizes in March; and Ice Breakers Ice Cubes, which will launch in a single pack for summer in peppermint, spearmint and grape flavors.

McLean, Va., based-Mars displayed its latest flavor of M&M’s—M&M’s Caramel. The new variety will hit shelves in May. The company also highlighted Maltesers, chocolate-covered malt ball candies that launched in the United States this year; Starburst Gummies Sours in a convenient share size; and Snickers Hazelnut.

Sour Patch Kids Tropical were ready for tasting at East Hanover, N.J.-based Mondelez’s booth. Tropical is the latest flavor to hit the Sour Patch Kids line, which also includes Watermelon, Peach, Cherry and Blue Raspberry.

Forest Park, Ill.-based Ferrara Candy Co. showcased new Trolli Sour Brite Bites in Watermelon, as well as Green Apple, Blue Raspberry and Strawberry. The company is also releasing Trolli Sour Gummi Crunchers in assorted flavors, as well as Now and Later Shell Shocked—candy-coated chewy bites in a 3.5-ounce package.

Minneapolis-based General Mills is bringing Gushers to the c-store with Fruit Gushers Sours and Fruit Gushers Flavor Mixers, which just started shipping. The Sours mix features Apple, Cherry and Grape flavors, while Flavor Mixers feature Raspberry Lemonade, Strawberry Peach and Orange Cherry flavors.

Allendale, N.J.-based Promotion In Motion will debut Sour Jacks in 3.75-ounce share-size packaging in March. Sour Jacks is a soft and chewy “mouth-puckering” candy that comes in Watermelon, Lemonade, Wildberry and Green Apple flavors.

In conjunction with the late-June release of “Despicable Me 3” in theaters, Ferrero will be launching limited-edition Minions Tic Tacs in collectible bottle packs. The Tic Tacs come in Banana and Tangerine flavors and feature images of Minions.

The company also had on hand its latest flavor of Tic Tac Mixers: Pina Colada. Ferrero USA is based in Somerset, N.J.

Perfetti Van Melle is bringing Airheads to the gum aisle with Watermelon, Cherry and Blue Raspberry varieties. The new Airheads Gum is sugar-free, with 14 sticks per package. Amsterdam-based Perfetti Van Melle has North American offices in Erlanger, Ky.