Food and beverage’s collaboration craze gains momentum
From confectionery tie-ups to sustainability partnerships, brand collaborations are reshaping the food and beverage industry. But why has the trend exploded, and where will it go next?
Perfetti Van Melle
Barry Callebaut and Arla launch ambitious decarbonisation plan
World’s biggest chocolate maker partners with dairy giant to target Scope 3 emissions
Big Food’s Big Reset: Why the industry’s changing faster than ever
From C-suite shake-ups to targeted acquisitions, Big Food is rethinking how to win in a rapidly changing market
M&M’s gets Practical Magic makeover as confectionery collaboration trend heats up
Mars takes M&M’s to Hollywood with Practical Magic 2 partnership as confectionery’s collaboration craze continues
Is the snack market slowing? How changing habits are reshaping the industry
Despite strong growth forecasts, questions are emerging over the future of the snacking sector
Global Top 100 Most Valuable Food Brands 2026 announced
Which food brands are leading the way in 2026? Brand Finance’s latest ranking reveals the biggest names, fastest risers and strongest brands across the global food sector
Confectionery’s biggest trend? Looking back
From retro packaging to the return of familiar favourites, nostalgia has become one of confectionery’s most powerful growth drivers
Confectionery fraud surges as manufacturers struggle to stay ahead
Fraudsters target high-value ingredients and premium claims, leaving confectionery manufacturers battling risks from farm to finished product
‘Worth it’ replaces ‘more is more’ as indulgence evolves
Confectionery indulgence is shifting from ‘more is more’ to ‘worth it’ as consumers prioritise quality, experience, wellness and sustainability
Global Top 100 confectionery companies announced
Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery’s 2026 Global Top 100 confectionery list has been revealed
The seasonal launch is dead. What comes next?
Faster trend cycles, retailer demands and shrinking product lifecycles are reshaping food and beverage innovation
From Nestlé to Mars: Why Big Food is embracing contract manufacturing
Outsourcing becomes a priority as CPGs seek greater flexibility, speed and resilience
From Nestlé to Ferrero: Big Food’s consolidation boom
Big Food’s biggest players are using acquisitions and strategic investments to fuel growth and expand their influence, and it’s reshaping the future of the industry
Gen Alpha and Beta: Confectionery’s next battleground
Freeze-dried sweets, bold flavours, Roblox activations and AI-powered engagement – the forces reshaping confectionery innovation as brands look beyond Gen Z
Confectionery’s innovation dilemma: Doing more with less
Rising costs, changing consumer demands and fast-moving trends are reshaping confectionery innovation. But what does it take to stand out?
Confectionery’s biggest new innovations for 2026 announced
Ferrero and Hershey among winners of the 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards
2,000+ supply ships stranded: Iran war puts food security at risk
What started as an energy shock is fast becoming a food crisis, with stranded cargoes and fertiliser shortages threatening global supply chains
‘More is more’ spells the end for low and no
Low and no loses its shine as consumers reject restriction in favour of real ingredients, richer flavours, and products that prioritise pleasure
Confectionery sales surge as market races towards $295bn
Confectionery sales are soaring. But what’s driving growth and which brands are best positioned for the future?
The Big One: Cyberattack that could cripple food and drink
Cyberattacks are closing in on the food and drink sector, and the next one could be catastrophic. Is the industry ready for The Big One?
Confectionery sector braced for shortages as Iran conflict escalates
As conflict disrupts key trade routes and energy supplies, the confectionery sector is among the first to feel the strain. How vulnerable are manufacturers, and what can be done to protect the industry?
Industry, brace for change: Momentum builds behind Global Plastics Treaty
After negotiations failed to finalise a global treaty on plastic pollution last year, new hope is on the horizon
Opinion
The line between snacking and confectionery is disappearing
Over time, the world’s biggest confectionery companies have rebranded their products as ‘snacks’. So what’s the problem?
Biggest confectionery companies 2026 announced
Who’s dominating the sector and who’s falling behind?
Confectionery market to hit $278bn by 2032 as candy sales surge
The confectionery market is entering a new growth phase, driven by evolving consumer preferences, seasonal demand, and innovation in non-chocolate formats
New product development
New confectionery releases this holiday season
New product development from Haribo to Terry’s
2024's top confectionery flavour trends
Discover the five flavour trends taking over the confectionery world, from 'swicy' sensations to nostalgic treats and functional delights
Airheads debuts underwater candy vending machine
Taking its marketing efforts to new depths, the US candy maker is focused on fun
Sustainability
Cocoa investors request major chocolate companies pay farmers more
An investor letter issued earlier this month by non-profit Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) has called out international chocolate companies to end what it described as “exploitative purchasing practices,” mainly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Climate
Perfetti Van Melle sets course to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in supply chain
Perfetti Van Melle, the owner of international confectionery brands including Mentos, Chupa Chups, and Fruittella, has announced that its near-term science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets (including FLAG) have been evaluated and...
M&As
Mondelēz completes sale of gum business to Perfetti Van Melle Group
Mondelēz International has announced it has completed the sale of its developed-market gum business in the United States, Canada and Europe, excluding Portugal, to Perfetti Van Melle Group.
Analyst reaction to transaction
Mondelēz sells part of gum business to rival Perfetti Van Melle for $1.3bn
Mondelēz International has announced it has entered into definitive agreements to sell its developed-market gum business in the United States, Canada and Europe to Italian-Dutch company, and European rival, Perfetti Van Melle Group for $1.350bn.
Retail
Perfetti Van Melle racks up £100m sales of confectionery in UK
Confectionery and gum supplier Perfetti Van Melle has announced a significant milestone in UK sales.
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Chupa Chups introduces XXL Trio Lollipop
Brand owner Perfetti Van Melle USA says the large, multilayered lollipop with great tasting bubblegum inside will be available on the US market in November 2022.
Deep dive into the secrets of keeping a brand vital through brand licensing
Perfetti Van Melle is taking centre stage at the upcoming Festival of Licensing to reveal the secret behind Chupa Chups’ licensing success and the importance of design as a tool for reinforcing brand relevance and uniqueness.
Expansion
Perfetti Van Melle to expand in Central America as it announces three product launches
Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) is expanding its Chupa Chups range including; Fun & Friends, 8 mini lollipops in Fox, Duck and Dog plush pouches, Cash Till Box and two new characters for its Backpack range.
Jellies
Fruitella launches new vegan range of jellies in the UK
Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) has launched its first ever gelatine-free range in the UK with two new Fruittella fruity jelly variants, which are also suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Minty relaunch
Mentos updates refreshment category with chewy mints
Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) wants to target the on-the-go consumer with the Chewy & Fresh mints, which will launch in a resealable bottle in May.
Convenience
‘Indulgence matters’: chocolate and candy sales amplify convenience counter
The overriding theme at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) annual State of the Industry Summit, held in Chicago, was one of evolution. The old convenience store model of ‘smokes, cokes and gasoline’ has morphed into a more complex...
Advertising
Chupa Chups cleared of targeting HFSS products to children, ASA rules
A website, three Facebook posts and a YouTube video for Chupa Chups, were ruled not to be in breach of UK advertising regulations relating to HFSS, said the Advertising Standards Authority.
NPD
Chupa cupcake and Mentos gift pack round out Perfetti van Melle's new duty-free products
Perfetti van Melle will debut several Chupa Chups products at the 2019 Duty Free & Travel Summit of the Americas later this month, in addition to a Mentos Gum Giftpack, capitalizing on a ‘strong year’ in the region.
Executives on the move
Mentos maker Perfetti Van Melle appoints new North American executives
Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) has named Rachel Chambers and Dan Hamilton as its new VP of marketing and VP of sales, respectively, for its North American business.
Execs on the move
Mentos maker Pefetti Van Melle names new North America's CEO
Confectioner Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) has announced that Sylvia Buxton will succeed Mehmet Yuksek to be its North America’s president and CEO, effective August 17.
Perfetti Van Melle president & CEO North America to stand down next month
Mehmet Yuksek will stand down as president and CEO of Perfetti Van Melle North America, on August 17, after more than 21 years at the company.
Perfetti Van Melle signs licensing deal with Angry Birds maker Rovio to develop popular lollipop Chupa Chups across new markets
Long-term partnership with new animated sequel aims to drive both companies' extensive brand licensing strategy for 2019 and beyond.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2018
Ferrero, Hershey, Nestlé and more: NCA names most innovative new candies and snacks of 2018
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named the most innovative product award winners of 2018 at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago (May 22-May 24, 2018).
DeBeukelaer refereshment sticks launches Chupa Chups liquid fillings
Cult lollipop brand DeBeukelaer has signed a licence agreement with Chupa Chups to fill its refreshment sticks with two liquid strawberry and apple flavors, covered in dark chocolate.
Datagraphics
Spit out: Gum declines continue in the US
Chewing gum sales in the US have continued to fall in the first half of 2017, according to data from IRI, but Hershey is bucking the trend.
Hershey beats Mars, Mondelēz, and Perfetti Van Melle in Amazon Halloween candy sales
Hershey took the largest share of Amazon’s candy purchases in October this year compared to Mondelēz-owned Sour Patch Kids, Mars’ Skittles and Starburst, and Perfetti Van Melle’s Airheads, according to a new report from Edison Trends.
CEO interview
Perfetti Van Melle USA brings Airheads into gum and trials Velcro packs
Perfetti Van Melle is hoping to lead US gum category growth by bringing Airheads into gum and launching Mentos Pure Fresh packs sealed with Velcro.