This week’s wave of confectionery innovation reveals a category in flux, where nostalgia, texture, and health-conscious indulgence are driving new product development across the board.
Nestlé leads the charge with a trio of launches that blend visual appeal and indulgent flavour. The limited-edition KitKat Chunky Funky, with its marbled milk and white chocolate coating, is a playful twist on a classic, while the KitKat Chunky Duo Salted Caramel dials up the decadence. Meanwhile, Blue Riband Vanilla offers a lighter, 83-calorie option with a nostalgic nod to classic flavours.
McVitie’s is also targeting younger consumers with Club Layers Orange, a confectionery-aisle crossover that combines wafer, orange cream, and thick milk chocolate. The launch is part of a broader strategy to modernise heritage brands and tap into the impulse snacking market.
Texture is a recurring theme. Bonds of London has added Soft Sherbety Lemons and Sour Melon Slices to its charity range, offering chewy and gummy formats that appeal to evolving consumer preferences. The range also supports a charity, blending purpose with product.
And in the better-for-you space, Harken Sweets – winner of NIQ’s Pitch Slam – continues to gain traction with its plant-based, no-added-sugar chocolate bars that claim to be as gut-friendly as they are indulgent.
Read on to see the top new product launches in confectionery this week.
Dubai-style chocolate goes hand-crafted
Boulder, Colorado, US, based premium chocolate maker Chocolove has launched a new limited-edition gift box inspired by the rich confectionery traditions of the Middle East.
The Dubai Style Milk Chocolate Pistachio & Kadayif gift box is a luxurious twist on the trending Dubai chocolate bar and is handcrafted by master chocolatier chef, Patrick Peeters.
Each piece features a velvety milk chocolate shell that encases a creamy pistachio filling, layered with crisp strands of Kadayif – a finely shredded phyllo pastry that adds a delicate crunch and a touch of indulgence.
McVitie’s targets the chocolate aisle
Popular UK biscuit brand McVitie’s is expanding its Club biscuit name with a confectionery-style twist in the form of Club Layers Orange. The new single-serve bar is designed to appeal to younger consumers and impulse buyers.
Launching exclusively in UK Spar convenience stores from June 30 for a three-week period, the new bar features layers of crisp wafer and orange-flavoured cream, enrobed in thick milk chocolate. Positioned in the confectionery aisle, Club Layers Orange marks a strategic move by the company to bridge the gap between biscuits and chocolate bars.
“We’re thrilled that McVitie’s Club Layers Orange will debut in Spar on a first-to-market basis,” said Club brand manager Olivia Haley. “Spar’s impulse customer base makes it a strong fit for this single chocolate bar, and we know Spar provides fantastic marketing support for NPD right across its estate.”
The launch follows a slew of innovation from McVitie’s, including limited-edition Hot Honey Jaffa Cakes and Pink Digestives, as well as the new Hobnobs Oaty Cookies range.
Sour and chewy from Bonds of London
World of Sweets has extended its Bonds of London range with two new share bag formats – Soft Sherbety Lemons and Sour Melon Slices.
The launch builds on the success of the brand’s April debut in partnership with Our Dementia Choir, with 10% of profits from each bag supporting the charity. The new additions aim to broaden the range’s appeal by tapping into the growing demand for sour and chewy confectionery.
Soft Sherbety Lemons offer a modern twist on the classic sweet, delivering a softer, chewier texture with a zesty sherbet centre. Meanwhile, Sour Melon Slices – already a top performer in pick and mix – bring a bold, tangy flavour in a gummy format.
“We’re excited to introduce more variety to the range,” said Kathryn Hague, head of marketing at World of Sweets. “These new flavours cater to shoppers who prefer sour and chewy textures, while continuing to support a cause close to our hearts.”
Nestlé unveils new chocolate trio
Nestlé is expanding its confectionery portfolio with three new launches this month, including a limited-edition KitKat Chunky, a new Duo variant, and a fresh take on Blue Riband.
Leading the line-up is KitKat Chunky Funky, a limited-edition bar featuring a crispy cocoa wafer wrapped in a marbled swirl of milk chocolate and white coating. The eye-catching design is the result of innovation from Nestlé’s R&D centre in York, northern England. “It’s such a fun product, and we can’t wait to see how shoppers react,” said Rida Ahmed, KitKat assistant brand manager.
Also joining the range is KitKat Chunky Duo Salted Caramel, which layers the brand’s signature wafer with a rich salted caramel filling, all enrobed in smooth milk chocolate.
Both KitKat innovations are made using cocoa sourced through Nestlé’s Income Accelerator Programme, which supports cocoa farming families with income diversification, education, and reforestation efforts.
Rounding out the launches is Blue Riband Vanilla, a lighter treat at just 83 calories per bar. It combines a vanilla-flavoured filling with delicate wafer and a white chocolate-style coating, offering a fresh spin on the classic.
Harken Sweets slam dunks a big win
Emerging better-for-you confectionery brand Harken Sweets has been crowned winner of NielsenIQ’s third annual Pitch Slam, held during the C360 event in Chicago. The competition, one of the largest of its kind for CPG founders, saw five finalists – including Daybird, Evergreen, Mingle Beverage Company, and Pricklee – compete live for a prize package worth over $700,000.
Founded in 2022 by Harvard Business School alum Katie Lefkowitz, Harken Sweets is reimagining candy with a health-first approach. Its plant-based chocolate bars are free from added sugar and dairy, and enriched with prebiotic fibre – delivering nostalgic chocolate joy with gut-friendly benefits.
The win secures Harken Sweets access to NIQ’s data and analytics experts, alongside a cash prize to accelerate growth. “This recognition is a testament to our mission of reinventing candy with health and joy at its core,” said Lefkowitz.
NIQ president of omni-commerce Andrew Criezis, said: “Harken Sweets embodies the creativity and excellence this competition celebrates.”
As functional confectionery continues to trend, Harken Sweets is poised to capture the attention of health-conscious consumers seeking indulgence without compromise.
