Variety at the party

BUYING habits are changing and price-marked packs have become very important in c-stores. That’s the view of Mark Walker, sales director at Swizzels.

He reckons the £1 price point makes the Swizzels Squashies, Loadsa and new Bon Bons ranges particularly appealing to consumers.

And he stressed the opportunity in sharing sizes saying: “Products over 100g are worth £533m and seeing 2% growth. 

“Variety packs are an important part of this.”

He added that Swizzels variety packs account for 89% of sales within the category.

Saying that Drumstick Squashies is the fastest growing £1 PMP on the market, Walker said c-store operators should keep up with trends by  offering a good range of hanging bags and by featuring PMPs.

• In confectionery, says Fruitella brand owner Perfetti Van Melle, 80% of purchases are influenced in store and 30% of those purchases are impulse-driven.

The firm expects confectionery to continue to grow despite the current sugar debate.

Trade marketing director Mark Roberts said: “Shoppers have always known that there is sugar in confectionery, unlike other products which may have surprising sugar content levels.”

• Smart TVs and the ability to stream films or box sets of series have  made the big night in more popular than ever according to Big Bear Confectionery.

A spokesperson said: “The Netflix generation are not tied down to simply the bag and pouch format.

“The Poppets brand has grown by over 11% year on year driven by the Poppets Gift Box which is the perfect big-night-in format.”