Chocolate Buyer 2025

15 specialityfoodmagazine.com Whilst there are many opportunities for heritage brands to refer to their history and re-engage consumers through nostalgia, this trend also offers opportunities for new brands. Classic flavours and retro branding will evoke fun, and feelings of connecting with simpler times, even if the design or the brand itself is completely new SIMONA TWEEDIE, LEAD ANALYST AT FMCG GURUS PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT JELLY BELLY SWEETS TO GO THE BAY TREE STRAWBERRY & CLOTTED CREAM FUDGE This new grab-bag of fudge in a nostalgic flavour will excite everyone like kids in a sweetshop. thebaytree.co.uk RJ’S BATCH 37 SOFT LIQUORICE Soft-eating liquorice with a moreish chewy texture, also available in Strawberry flavour. sapphirebrands.co.uk Counting down to Christmas has never been so delicious! This year, make the festive season even more magical with one of our Jelly Belly Advent Calendars. Behind each window, discover gourmet jelly bean flavours to delight the taste buds. Our Harry Potter version won an award this year too! With 24 windows, every day brings a new surprise. Share the joy with family, or savour each moment of sweet anticipation all to yourself. Get your Jelly Belly Advent Calendars today, and make the run-up to Christmas the sweetest and most profitable part of the year! bestimports.co.uk NOSTALGIA MUST-STOCK CLASSICS HONEYCOMB Look out for chocolate-coated options for extra indulgence MARZIPAN Plain or chocolate-coated, and in bars or novelty shapes BOILED SWEETS Rhubarb & custard and Everton mints feel extra nostalgic LIQUORICE Both soft and traditional varieties NOUGAT A European classic which has fans of all ages in the UK MARSHMALLOWS Versatile and now available in a kaleidoscope of flavour LEVEL-UP Chocolate and nuts are a classic combination –with great reason – but swirl them together into a spread andwe’re into childhood favourites territory (thanks to a pretty iconicmainstreambrand). There are alternatives out there whichwill fit perfectly on your shelves, ticking the quality and flavour boxes whilemaintaining the nostalgic flavour we all love. TASTY TWISTS Whether relished as a solo confection or partnered with a hot drink (a marshmallow semi- melted into a hot chocolate or chai latte is a glorious thing), marshmallows are pure joy in sweet form. High quality options are a far cry from the additive- ladenmass-produced ones, so do your – super fun – research to uncover mallows that offer quality, incredible flavour and trending innovation. MALLOWDRAMATIC CARROT CAKE A spiced marshmallow is swirled with carrot caramel, candied walnuts and coated with dehydrated carrot cake. mallowdramatic.co.uk ISLANDS CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE & HAZELNUT SPREAD Vegan-friendly and made with 55% perfectly roasted hazelnuts and 8% natural Caribbean cocoa, this delivers a luxuriously rich flavour like no other. islandschocolate.com INNOVATIVE INDULGENCE While familiarity is at the heart of childhood nostalgia, today’s consumer is forever on the lookout for foodie excitement so feel free to gowild –not least because confectionery is a naturally great carrier for adventurous flavours. Classic British sweetsmodernisedwith far flung flavours are an extra special treat. HALDIRAM’SMARZIPAN FUSION SWEETS Innovative marzipan-based sweets blending Indian andWestern flavours, perfect for luxury gifting. haldiram uk .c om ON THE MAP The UK’s appetite for confectionery has a clear regional split, according to MarkWide Research ● Greater London and South East: this region demonstrates a hunger for premium, artisanal and experiential confectionery ● Midlands and North England: this area is an opportunity for traditional snack formats ● Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland: consumers look for regional delicacies and are loyal to local brands