How to Merchandise Novelty Sweets

A broad category that offers retailers both versatility and a fun point of difference, novelty sweets are characterful lines that can bring a spark to a wide range of businesses. From retailers and online businesses to leisure outlets and convenience stores, a powerful novelty selection is a valuable proposition. Here, we’re going to highlight some bestsellers in key novelty sub-categories and share tips on how to build a brilliant range that truly stands out from the crowd. If you’re new to the sector and want a bit more background, our post explaining The Joy of Novelty Sweets and Who Buys Them will bring you up to speed in no time.

Key Novelty Sub-categories

Whilst there will always be new and exciting novelty lines that push to innovate and add something new, there are certain categories that define it at its core. For most, when they think of novelty sweets, those that incorporate toys and an element of play will be the first that comes to mind. Prime examples include PEZ dispensers and the Crazy Candy Factory Jelly Bean Machines – and we’d definitely say this is a key area for any novelty sweets range.

By nature, the category is always evolving in a bid to remain novel, but there is still room for trends and themes to make their mark. In recent years, sour flavours have been a prominent trend across the whole of confectionery, with novelty being no exception. The tart tastes have paired incredibly successfully with the candy roller format, where shoppers pop the lid, lick the roller and savour the fantastic flavours. Popular examples are lines like Brain Licker and Screamers Big Lick, which really helped shape the sector and have become must-haves for pocket money spenders and a valuable addition to many ranges.

Over the years, dip n lick sweets have become a staple of sweet shops of all kinds. The unique aspect of dipping and combining delicious elements has captivated the imaginations of shoppers across generations – which is why you’ll find nostalgic favourites alongside fresh (and sometimes outrageous) takes that keep things exciting. From classics like Barratt Dip Dab to playful reinventions like the Crazy Candy Factory Paint Splash and Kidsmania Sour Flush, there is a dip n lick for every generation of sweet lovers. A timeless format that has long been appreciated, these are a staple of so many ranges for good reason!

Designing a Brilliant Novelty Range

Spanning such a diversity of different formats, brands, and flavours, there are no steadfast rules when it comes to building a novelty range. However, understanding both the category and your customers is a great start – and we’re here to help you with the former.

The design of your novelty sweets range will impact everything from sales performance to shopper perceptions. The beauty of a novelty range is that it can genuinely include something that will interest everyone. In our book, a quality selection of novelty sweets should have the proverbial kid in the sweetshop excited, eyes darting from shelf to shelf and licking their lips. To achieve this you’ll need diversity in your range.

Contrasting show-stopping stock like toy-sweet combos and candy sprays with comparatively modest lines such as food-themed sweets and candyfloss will appeal to casual shoppers, sweet-toothed adventurers and everyone in between. Below is an example novelty stand for inspiration.

A range like this hits key novelty sweets sub-categories, providing an array of flavours, brands, and formats. With so many options throughout, shoppers will notice something new with every glance. This aspect reflects the notion that novelty sweets are always changing and growing, so shoppers should enjoy anything that piques their interest before it’s gone! By no means does this mean that you shouldn’t keep your range fresh and mix it up, though.

Of course, you’ll have your best-sellers and lines that shoppers turn to time after time – make sure you stay stocked up on these! However, the lines that make up the rest of your range can and should be rotated regularly to ensure that you retain the novel factor that tempts impulsive shoppers. Above all else, understanding your customer base is what will guide your range-building.

Merchandising Novelty Sweets

Vibrant and playful, the way you merchandise novelty sweets should match the energy of the lines themselves! Yes, the innate fun factor means that novelty sweets stand out, but with planning and some choice merchandising, your range will truly pop. Make use of colourful shelving and POS, ensuring that your range grabs attention. Locate your range strategically so the customers you are targeting will notice your work when in-store. Common – and effective – locations like high-traffic aisle ends and near checkouts or queuing areas have the most chance of catching the eye.

As you’ll know, many businesses don’t operate solely from a physical store. There are plenty of online-only confectionery outlets that don’t have one at all. Many consumers appreciate the fact that they can order exactly what they need to satisfy their sweet tooth online. Whether this is your primary store or part of a multi-channel business model, novelty sweets lend themselves superbly to online mediums. Given that they’re visually striking, bold and colourful, there is plenty that you can do with them – both across your website and social media. Explanatory videos and gifs are a great way to explain the function of novelty lines, whilst they will also light up the pages of your website and your social channels.

Stock up on Best-selling Novelty Sweets with Hancocks

A well-designed novelty sweets range has the power to delight customers, drive impulse purchases, and set your business apart from the competition. Whether you're stocking up on pocket-money favourites, playful toy-sweet combos, or eye-catching dip n lick treats, variety is key to keeping shoppers engaged. By creating a vibrant, well-merchandised display and keeping it fresh, you can create appeal that excites both new and returning customers.

Of course, no range is complete without best-selling lines that customers seek out time and time again – these are core to success. To ensure your business stays stocked with the most popular novelty sweets, there’s no better partner than Hancocks. The UK’s largest confectionery wholesaler, we have a huge selection of top-selling lines available in bulk – we make it easy to refresh your range and keep customers coming back for more. Whether you want to shop online with a range of UK delivery options, use our free Click & Collect service or visit your nearest wholesale store, we’re here to help.

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