NEWS ROUNDUP 1995-07-17 (1)

Nestle Enters Bulk Market

estle Chocolate & Confections here is tapping the bulk confectionery market with the introduction of Nestle Bulk.

According to Nestle, the bulk category has grown at a triple-digit rate over the past few years. To capitalize on this growing category, the company has developed bulk offering for all channels of trade in wrapped fun size bars, unwrapped pieces, hard candy and seasonal.

"Nestle Bulk brings the retailer the big brand names consumers know and love in quantities and product mixes they control," said Tricia Bowles, spokeswoman for Nestle Chocolate & Confections. "Bulk items cater to consumers' grazing, snacking and entertaining needs. And it offers consumers an exceptional way of sampling new products in small quantities with little investment."

Ferrero Introduces Display Units

SOMERSET, N.J. -- Ferrero U.S.A. here has introduced a new display unit for its Mon Cheri and Rocher chocolates.

The gravity-feed floorstand, complete with distinctive graphics, was designed to meet retailers' needs of high turns in a minimal amount of space, said Michael Gilmore, chief operating officer. "In addition to holiday seasonal sales, consumers will purchase the chocolates year-round."

Mon Cheri four-piece packs can now be displayed in two ways. The pack can be sold in either the gravity-feed floorstand or a sidekick. Both units hold 120 packs.

The three-piece Rocher chocolates floorstand and sidekick hold 96 packs and features the message, "One Taste and You'll Never Settle for Ordinary Chocolate Again."

The floorstand units are 1.1 square feet. The sidekicks are modular and designed to fit all sidekick/power wing units.

Spangler Adds Easter Lollipop

BRYAN, Ohio -- Spangler Candy has added a new Suck An Egg lollipop to its Easter selection. The 1-ounce egg-shaped pop features swirled colors with a reusable plastic holder.

"Consumer research that we've conducted revealed that kids use the plastic holder to store a variety of items such as earrings and coins. Some color them and used them for Easter decorations," said Doug Taylor, Spangler's senior vice president of sales and marketing.

The egg comes in eight flavors: tropical fruit, raspberry swirl, mandarin orange, tutti-fruitti, Hawaiian delight, fruit punch, watermelon and root beer. The product is available in 24-count display boxes and 48-count hex display jars.

Sweet City Offers Dispensing Unit

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Sweet City International here, the franchiser of candy stores, announced the introduction of Sweet City Express, a freestanding candy dispensing unit designed to be located within other stores.

The Express unit is a mini version of the in-line stores and kiosks and features different types of candies from all over the world, including sugar-free and low-calorie sweets. The candy is showcased in clear, shaft-like bins, which create the illusion of a city skyline.

Customers select candies, weigh them on a scale that is incorporated in the unit and pay at the store's checkout counter.

Simply Lite Offers Stick Packs

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- Sweet 'N Low Hard Candies, manufactured by Simply Lite Foods here, is now available in newly-designed stick packs offering 25% more product at the same price.

The new pack features bright graphics in colors keyed to the brand's flavors: butterscotch, peppermint, fruit flavors and watermelon.

The stick packs also come in a vertical combo display that allows consumers to see the full range of product while taking up a minimal amount of space, according to the company.