CSP Announces Winners of 2022 Retailer Choice Best New Products Contest
By CSP Staff on Sep. 20, 2022CHICAGO — Hundreds of retailers voted in CSP’s 19th annual Retailer Choice Best New Product Contest (BNPC), choosing a diverse bunch of winners this year. These new products—introduced to c-stores between June 1, 2021, and June 1, 2022—represent some of the hottest trends in c-stores and retailing right now, including candy and snack mashups, grab-and-go, the evolution of beer and spicy foods.
Retailers voted for their favorite new products from 29 categories, and awards will be given to the contest winners during the NACS Show in Las Vegas. This year’s winners include packaging, celebrity endorsements, limited-time offers and more.
Here’s a first look at the winners. CSP congratulates the winners and thanks the retailers who voted.
Alcohol: Beer
Bud Light Next
Bud Light Next offers zero carbs and 80 calories at 4% ABV. The launch targeted younger legal-age consumers who seek beer that combines a traditional lager with added sessionability.
Alcohol: Hard Seltzer
Truly Margarita Style Hard Seltzer Water
Truly Margarita from the Boston Beer Co. launched in four Margarita-inspired flavors: Classic Lime, Strawberry Hibiscus, Watermelon Cucumber, and Mango Chili.
Alcohol: Ready to Drink
Simply Spiked Lemonade
Simply Spiked Lemonade is a team effort by Molson Coors and the Coca-Cola Co. Its variety pack includes Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonade and Signature Lemonade.
Behind the Counter
White Owl Swirl: Triple Grape
White Owl Swirl: Triple Grape blends the flavors of red, black and green grapes, complementing White Owl’s triple wrapper, the company says.
Candy: Chocolate
Reese’s Big Cup With Potato Chips
The newest Reese’s Big Cup is stuffed with potato chips for a sweet, salty and crunchy treat. It is available in standard and king size.
Candy: Gummies
Haribo Goldbears
Haribo celebrated the 100th birthday of its original Goldbears gummi brand with the launch of two new flavors: Goldbears Pineapple and Goldbears Blue-Raspberry.
CBD
Sky Wellness Sleep Softgels 5ct
Sky Wellness Sleep CBD (cannabidiol) Broad Spectrum Softgels are a trial size for a good night’s sleep, according to the company. They contain 25 milligrams of broad spectrum hemp oil, plus CBN (cannabinol).
CBD Beverage
Aprch CBD Sparkling Water
Aprch refreshed the can design of its Aprch CBD Sparkling Water, bringing a “simple and classy” look, the supplier says, to the drink available in four flavors: Watermelon, Mint+Cucumber, Cherry+Lime, Lemon+Lime and Blackberry.
Facilities
Wayne Ovation Multi-Hose Fuel Dispenser
The Wayne Ovation Multi-Hose Fuel Dispenser is built to accommodate more fuel offerings for customers, secure a retailer's inventory and drive more customers inside the store.
Foodservice: Components
King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Sliders
King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns are a sweet and salty match for pulled pork, grilled chicken or other recipes.
Foodservice: Dessert
Rich’s Fully Finished Donut Portfolio – Glazed and Iced
Rich’s Fully Finished Glazed Donuts are glazed, packaged and ready to serve upon thawing. And product freshness lasts twice as long as other bakery options, the company says.
Foodservice: Dispensed Beverage
Icee Limeade Zest
Icee Limeade Zest is a refreshing frozen treat with only 8 calories per ounce, the company says.
Foodservice: Entree
Chester’s Honey Stung Chicken Sandwich
Chester’s Honey Stung Chicken Sandwich features Chester’s signature marinated, double-breaded and fried fresh chicken sauced and tossed in Frank's RedHot Stingin' Honey Garlic Sauce, served on a Brioche bun and topped with dill pickle chips.
Foodservice: Ingredients
Cholula Street Taco Seasoning Mix
Cholula Street Taco Seasoning blends make it easy to bring the on-trend, authentic flavor of Mexican street food to your convenience-store foodservice menu, the company says.
Foodservice: Roller Grill
Garlic Parmesan Chicken RollerBites
Home Market Foods’ Garlic Parmesan Chicken RollerBites are 100% white-meat chicken seasoned with garlic and parmesan cheese, and wrapped in a light, flavored breading.
Foodservice Equipment: Dispensed Beverage
Bunn Ultra NX Frozen Beverage Dispenser
The Bunn Ultra NX provides system enhancements that promote sustainability, a reduction of ownership costs and ease of use while producing the quality frozen beverages customers have come to expect from the Ultra family, the company says.
Foodservice Equipment: Oven
Vector Wide Multi-Cook Ovens
Vector series Multi-Cook Ovens feature a simple user interface along with a sleek design and custom exterior color options, Alto-Shaam says. Alto-Shaam’s Structured Air Technology creates four ovens in one.
Frozen Snack
United Dairy Farmers’ Main Avenue Creamery
United Dairy Farmers’ new super-premium line of house made ice cream, Main Avenue Creamery, is rich and creamier ice cream made from cream, milk, eggs and sugar cane and no artificial flavors, the company said.
Lighter
BIC EZ Reach Snoop Dogg line
BIC refreshed its Snoop Dogg line of EZ Reach lighters with a seven-lighter lineup that includes photographs of the star along with illustrations that represent Snoop as an artist.
Meat Snack
Wenzel’s Farm Smoked BBQ and Sweet and Spicy
Wenzel’s Farm added two new flavors to its beef-jerky line with Smoked BBQ and Sweet and Spicy. The jerky contains no artificial colors or MSG and is gluten-free.
Packaged Beverage: CSD
Coca-Cola Starlight
Coca-Cola Starlight is part of the Coca-Cola Creations platform, an initiative to share limited-time products and experiences that drive engagement and cultural relevance with Gen Z. Coca-Cola Starlight fuses signature Coca-Cola taste with a subtle cooling sensation that increases with each sip.
Packaged Beverage: Energy
T-Pain’s NXT LVL Gamer Shot
Rapper and gamer T-Pain’s NXT LVL Gamer Shot by Takeover Industries is “Winner’s Juice” flavored and provides focus and energy for those that play games, sit in front of computers, truckers and others who need a boost, the company says.
Packaged Beverage: Enhanced
Pwr Lift
Pwr Lift is a modern, zero-sugar sports drink with 10 grams of lactose-free whey protein, five electrolytes and a boost of b-vitamins, the company says. Available in four flavors: Orange Mango, Lemon Lime, Berry Strawberry and Blueberry Pomegranate.
Packaged Beverage: RTD Coffee
Java Monster Cold Brew
Infused with nitrous oxide for a unique mouthfeel, Java Monster Cold Brew is available in two flavors: Latte and Sweet Black.
Packaging/Promotion
Icee Color Changing Cup
Icee color-changing cups—activated by temperature—are individually wrapped, reusable and made from recyclable plastic.
Salty Snack
Chex Mix White Cheddar
General Mills Convenience’s Chex Mix White Cheddar features a savory blend of Chex cereal pieces, pretzels, mini breadsticks and crispy crackers seasoned with white cheddar.
Snack Bar
Reese's Snack Bar
Reese’s Snack Bars are a mix of crispy, crunchy, salty and sweet flavors made with peanut butter creme, crisp whole-grain brown rice, roasted peanuts and milk chocolate.
Sweet Snack
Jumbo Snax Apple Jacks
Jumbo Snax Apple Jacks are enlarged versions of the breakfast cereal packaged for snacking on the go.
Technology
Pickup Pod
Hatco Corp.’s Pickup Pod is divided into ambient, individually insulated cubbies that keep food hot or cold for up to 90 minutes, providing a self-service pickup solution for customers to get their to-go food orders.