Candy

New Velcro Wallet from Mentos Gum

December 2017

Perfetti Van Melle has recently expanded their Mentos Gum into a Velcro Wallet pack. This is a smart move as 6 of 10 gum shoppers ONLY shop wallets!

Mentos Pure Fresh Velcro Gum is the strongest performing tier 1 gum concept. This concept was originally tested with consumers in early 2016 as part of a packaging research initiative. The updated Mentos Pure Fresh Velcro Wallet Gum is the most appealing concept to Gum Users. The re-closable Velcro packaging as well as variety of mint and watermelon flavors drives affinity for this winning concept.

This concept is only seen as different to other gum products by approximately half of Gum Users. 80% of consumers really want this product. Priced at $1.09, Mentos Pure Fresh Velcro Gum is the best value compared to almost all other tested gum concepts. This winning concept also earns the highest flavor and taste perceptions. Make sure you’re adding the Velcro Wallet pack to your set in 2018.

Annabelle Candy Launches a New Marketing Campaign Called “Unusuals”

Encouraging Consumers to Look Beyond the Mass-Produced Mega Brands

November 2017

Annabelle Candy is one of the largest family owned candy companies in the US. They manufacture some of the most iconic candy bars in our history including Rocky Road, Big Hunk, Abba-Zaba, U-No and Look! Bars. The company has recently partnered with a local digital ad agency Alaniz Marketing in order to undertake a rebranding effort and social media campaign of their iconic brands.

“We are excited about introducing our wholesome, hand-crafted candies to a new generation of consumers using digital media outlets,” said Andrea Luna, vice president of marketing for Annabelle. “These products, originally sold by our founder Sam Altshuler in a push cart outside movie theaters, have stood the test of time for decades, and we know that new consumers will embrace these classic brands through digital channels.”

With the launch of this new campaign, the company has a brand new website as well as a rebranding of its social media with a consumer-focused campaign “Look for the Unusuals,” which encourages consumers to look beyond the mass-produced megabrands. The company is using geo-targeting, billboards and social engagement to reach Millennials, known to crave unique, authentic experiences.

Annabelle Candy and Alaniz Marketing’s joint effort is focused on growing Annabelle’s consumer base and continued growth with their retailers.

“Annabelle’s remains true to its craft with its artisanal handmade candies. We are excited to help build awareness around such nostalgic brands that many of us grew up with and still love to this day,” said Roxanne Alaniz, president and founder of Alaniz Marketing.

RBG is a proud supporter and partner of Annabelle Candy and are excited for their new campaign. Check out their website www.annabellecandy.com for information on the #LookForTheUnusuals campaign.

Perfetti Van Melle Brands Continue to Out Perform

Mentos Gum & Mentos Mints Continue to Grow

September 2017

Perfetti Van Melle continues to have brands in the convenience store segment that out performs peer group brands by nearly 23 times in total as well as in each sub category. In addition, Perfetti Van Melle brands are also delivering strong performance in dollar changes in the last 52 weeks. Two of Perfetti’s top selling brands are Mentos Gum and Mentos Rolls. Both brands grew in total dollar performance in the last 52 weeks with Mentos Gum growing 21.9% and Mentos Rolls growing 5.3%!

Mentos Gum offers long tasting freshness in convenience on the go packaging in a variety of different flavor variations. They come in either packages of 15 count, 45 count or 50 count. Available flavors include: Pure Fresh Fresh Mint, Pure Fresh Spearmint, Pure Fresh Wintergreen, Pure White Sweet Mint, Pure Fresh Bubble Fresh, Red Fruit Lime, Tropical, Ice Flurry and Bubble Fresh Cotton Candy.

Mentos Chewy Mints are offered in several refreshing flavor varieties. Mentos Mins provides the benefit of a mint with an enjoyable chew! Available flavors include: Mentos Mint, Mentos Fruit, Mentos Spearmint, Mentos Strawberry, Mentos Cinnamon, Mentos Rainbow, Mentos Green Apple, Mentos Caramel & Chocolate, and Mentos Caramel & Mint Dark Chocolate.

Make sure you’re stocked up on these two brands that are sure to be top sellers in your store(s).

New Airheads Gum

Brand New Product from Perfetti Van Melle!

May 2017

Gum sales have been in decline for several years, however we saw an uptick in 2015 as innovative items were introduced. Mentos and Ice Breakers continue to grow the gum category. Mentos had a $28M growth and Ice Breaks had a $40M growth. Which other innovation generated over $100M (Starburst Gum, Extra and Sour Patch Gum).

Right now, there are so many opportunities in fruit flavored, slab gum. Non-mint flavored gum represents 34% of the gum category and fruit flavors account for only 12% of slab gum dollar sales. Perfetti Van Melle has introduced Airheads Gum! This gum launched on May 1st and is made with Xylitol and is sugar free. It comes in three different flavors: Watermelon, Blue Raspberry and Cherry. Each slab of gum has micro candies (Airheads flavored bits) and a candy strip layer which is also Airhead flavored.

These new items offer a mix of classic and innovative fruit flavors that will appeal to a wide range of consumers. Watermelon is the #1 fruit flavor in the gum category and is ranked #3 of Airheads bar flavor. A hero sku of line-up gives Airheads Gum a strong foundational flavor of gum. Blue Raspberry ranks #1 of Airheads bar flavor and has a unique flavor Airheads is known for. Lastly, Cherry ranks #2 of Airheads bar flavor and is a universally loved flavor, but underdeveloped in the gum category.

The launch of this new product is a winning idea. Airheads has been growing at a faster rate than the category due to innovation over the last 5 years. Airheads and Xtremes 2016 growth is over six-times category growth. In addition, Perfetti tested Airheads Gum against the top fruit skus in the category and outperforms and is the #1 and #3 fruit skus in the category.

This product should be merchandised next to other fruit gum slabs with Trident Layers/Fruit or Extra Fruit on either side of it. Make sure you’re stocking up on this delicious new product today!

Bazooka Candy Brands Continues Grow

Company Shows Impressive Year Over Year Growth

January 2017

In 2016, Bazooka Candy Brands grew 13.6%, up from 9.6% in 2015. The company is outpacing the category in 2016 consumption performance. In the Non-Chocolate Category, Bazooka is outpacing the industry and is top ranked among kids with Juicy Drop Pop, Baby Bottle Pop, Jumbo Push Pop and Juicy Drop Gummies. Juicy Drop Pop is the #1 ranked non-chocolate kid’s brand. They account for their access because of innovation, distribution, merchandising and the new 360 media campaigns. In order for C-stores to find success with Bazooka Candy Brands, stocking up on innovation and carrying the right SKU’s is key. Bazooka has many exciting new products that are perfect for c-stores and have provided the recommended mix of their products to include in your candy set.

Innovation

Juicy Drop Gummies

Bazooka has provided breakthrough innovation in the Gummies Segment with Juicy Drop Gummies. No other candy offers the interactive 2-in-1 intense flavor experience that Juicy Drop does. If you’re not familiar with this candy, you squeeze the gel into the sour-sanded gummies drop zone and pop it in your mouth. It allows for you to enjoy the uniquely sweet & sour experience. This product is perfect for kids because they can control their own flavor intensity.

Crunchkins

Crunchkins are dessert flavored poppers with a creamy coating and a light crunchy center. Each 3 ounce share pack contains exciting and delectable dessert-inspired flavors: birthday cake, fudge brownie, and glazed donut. The primary customer target for this product are kids, aged 6-12. This product creates an all-new, sweet snacking category which is on trend and highly incremental to the set.

Juicy Drop Gum

The new Juicy Drop Gum will change kids bubble gum. Kids love Juicy Drop Gum! Purchase interest more than doubled after trial. It combines the perfect mix of sweet bubble gum and sour gel for a long-lasting and mind-blowing 2-in-1 flavor experience. Each pack includes 8 bubble gum chunks and a patent-pending sour gel dropper to boost and extend the awesome flavor. An assortment of the 4 top-selling Juicy Drop flavors in each 16 count box: Knock-Out Punch, Blue Rebel, Apple Attack and Watermelon Blast. Dynamic graphics call out the innovative flavor boosting technology.

Ring Pop Gummies

Ring Pop Gummies is the biggest back-of-store launch for Bazooka Candy Brands. Wearable, customizable gummies are unique to the category. Ring Pop Gummies Chains come in a 5oz peg bag and contains 3 chains and 18 charms per bag. They have 8 emoji-themed charm designs and 6 kid-favorite flavors: strawberry, blue raspberry, watermelon, cherry, orange, and grape. Ring Pop Gummies Rings come in a 5oz peg bag and contains 24 rings per bag. They come in 4 kid-favorite flavors: strawberry, blue raspberry, cherry and watermelon.

Sugar Free Bazooka To Go Cup

The iconic Bazooka flavor now in Sugar Free provides an incremental all-family opportunity. 80% of parents surveyed said they would buy the Bazooka To Go Cup for themselves or their kids. The New Sugar Free Bazooka To Go Cup instantly brings incremental revenue to a flat category and are key to category growth. Bazooka is the only bubble gum in this pack type, adding differentiation to the set!