Leading confectionery manufacturers are turning up the heat on innovation. Ferrero, Mars, and Mondelēz International’s hero Cadbury brand are among the major players rolling out bold new product development (NPD) onto shelves this summer.
This week, Ferrero invests in its North America footprint, with a slate of innovations reflecting both global ambition and localised insight. New launches blend premiumisation with playful formats that aim to reinforce the Italian-owned business’s presence in the seasonal and everyday snacking markets.
Mars, meanwhile, leans into nostalgia and texture with its latest launches. The business also responded to consumer demand for the presence of a popular Australian confection to land on UK shelves.
Cadbury is taking a different tack, using packaging innovation to spark conversation and collectability, specifically it’s summer campaign leverages thermochromic technology to create a chilled reveal moment.
Dubai-style chocolate fudge debut
The Fudge Factory is turning up its indulgence levels with the launch of three new flavours, including honey and pistachio, inspired by the Dubai chocolate craze.
The hero product, Dubai Fudge, layers pistachio-flavoured fudge with a caramelised biscuit crunch, sandwiched between two decadent layers of chocolate fudge.
Also in the line up is Chocolate Honey Pistachio which features a delicate sweetness to lift the salty pistachio profile, creating a balanced and indulgent bite.
Also joining the lineup is Hot Honey, a daring twist on classic honey fudge, infused with a subtle scattering of chilli flakes for a sweet-heat finish.
Ferrero boasts big portfolio of NPD
For the first time in over 60 years, Nutella is expanding its flavour portfolio with Nutella Peanut – a creamy fusion of its signature cocoa hazelnut spread and roasted peanuts. Launching in spring 2026, the new spread promises to deliver a rich, nutty twist on a beloved classic.
Also debuting is a new format for Ferrero Rocher: Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Squares. These individually wrapped squares bring the brand’s signature layers – chocolate shell, creamy filling, and crunchy hazelnuts – into a shareable, stand-up bag format. Flavours include Milk, Dark, White, Caramel Hazelnut, and an assorted mix, hitting shelves in September 2025.
Meanwhile, Tic Tac Dr Pepper joins the brand’s growing list of playful flavour collaborations. The pocket mints capture the unmistakable taste of the cult-favourite soda and will be available from autumn 2025.
Ferrero’s broader innovation push includes seasonal launches like Butterfinger Marshmallow, Crunch White, and Kinder Schoko-Bons, as well as new formats and flavours across Keebler, Royal Dansk, and Famous Amos.
Cadbury cools its summer packaging
Cadbury is bringing a playful twist to the UK’s chocolate aisles this summer with the launch of four limited-edition Dairy Milk bars, each featuring thermochromic packaging that changes colour when chilled.
The seasonal designs feature deck chairs, umbrellas, kites and inflatables and reveal a cool blue hue when chilled, encouraging consumers to ‘Chill to Reveal’.
Available now, the bars are sold in mixed cases for retailers, with Cadbury aiming for the collectable designs to drive repeat purchases and boost summertime engagement, which is traditionally a slower period for chocolate sales.
Also joining the line-up is a new Dairy Milk Iced Latte flavour, combining a coffee cream centre with biscuit pieces, wrapped in the same temperature-sensitive packaging. The flavour taps into the growing demand for coffee-inspired treats.
Twix snickerdoodles the candy aisle
Mars ramps up nostalgia with its latest Twix innovation: Twix Snickerdoodle, a cinnamon-sugar twist on the classic bar.
Launching nationwide this month, the new variant layers the brand’s signature crunchy cookie and smooth milk chocolate with a swirl of snickerdoodle-flavoured caramel to evoke the warmth of a freshly baked cookie to the confectionery shelf.
This marks the third cookie-inspired flavour in the Twix lineup, following the success of Cookie Dough and Cookies & Crème.
The new bar is available in both Single (1.4 oz) and Share (2.8 oz) sizes, tapping into consumer demand for nostalgic flavours with a modern edge.
Mars Pods land in the UK
After years of fan demand, Mars Pods have finally made their UK debut, bringing a Australian cult-favourite to British shelves.
Known for their crispy wafer base, gooey caramel centre and smooth chocolate topping, Pods have long been a go-to snack Down Under, especially for movie nights.
The launch has sparked a wave of excitement online, with glowing reviews from Aussie expats and Brits who’ve garnered a taste for the Pod while travelling or on holidays.
Rolling out across select UK discount stores including Iceland and B&M, Pods have created a buzz already.
