NEWS ROUNDUP 1996-02-12

Sathers Lollipops Set to Lift Off

om lollipops from Sathers here are about to take off.

The original Sonic Boom bubble gum forms the center of these lollipops. Five fruit flavors are available: grape, watermelon, sour apple, strawberry and cherry.

Sathers has also expanded its Tang-a-roos line with the addition of Tang-a-roo Tarts and Tang-a-roo Tails. Tang-a-roo Tarts are candy discs that come in a variety of tangy, tart fruit flavors. Tang-a-roo Tails are candy-filled straws available in five flavors.

Mike Halverson, director of marketing at Sathers, said Sonic Boom lollipops and Tang-a-roo products will fall into already established price programs. He added that the company has plans to price these products as stand-alone items. Each of the Sathers products will debut this week at the American Wholesale Marketers Association Candy Show in Anaheim, Calif., and will be available nationwide.

Willy Wonka Adds Nerds Gum

ITASCA, Ill. -- Willy Wonka Candy Factory here has expanded its line of Nerds confections to include bubble gum.

Like the original Nerds' package, Nerds Bubble Gum will hold two flavors in each box: grape and strawberry. The company will introduce the gum this week at the American Wholesale Marketers Association show in Anaheim, Calif. The introduction will be supplemented with national advertising in Marvel comics and other children's magazines.

The 1.5-ounce goods will carry a suggested retail price of 50 cents and come packed 36 per carton, 10 cartons per case.

LifeSavers Expands Roll Size

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- LifeSavers Co. here has increased the number of candy drops and mints included in each roll -- without increasing the price.

Distribution of the larger-size rolls began in July on the West Coast. National distribution is scheduled for March. The bigger roll is available in 11 flavors. Each will retain the original suggested retail price of 50 cents.

In addition, the number of rolls per shipping case has been reduced from 500 to 300. The company said that move is designed to help retailers better manage their inventories, thus increasing the candy's freshness on the shelf.

Spangler Adds 1-Ounce Lollipop

BRYAN, Ohio -- Spangler Candy Co. here will introduce a 1-ounce version of its 2-ounce Save-A-Sucker this week at the American Wholesale Marketers Association candy show in Anaheim, Calif.

Like the 2-ounce product, the 1-ounce will come in its own reusable plastic case. Flavors include tropical fruit, tutti fruiti, fruit punch, Hawaiian delight, raspberry swirl, peaches 'n cream, root beer float and watermelon.

The lollipop will be available nationwide and will come packed in 24-count display boxes packed eight to a case.

Golightly Offers Sugar-Free Bars

HILLSIDE, N.J. -- Golightly here has introduced Sugar-Free Chocolait Bars.

The bars, made with a sugar-free, milk-chocolate coating, are available in three flavors: milk chocolait, almond chocolait and crispy chocolait.

Each bar is 2 ounces and is merchandised in 24-count displays packed two per case. Suggested retail price is $1.89 per bar.