The Top 10 Novelty Sweets

Filled with fun and flavour, novelty sweets add irresistible charm to any range of sweets. The category that can take any form and any flavour may be hard to define, but that is how it caters to shoppers of all ages and all tastes.

Novelty sweets are where fun meets flavour – a category that thrives on surprise, excitement, and sheer imagination. Whether it’s wacky shapes, bold colours, or interactive formats, these sweets offer more than just a sugar rush; they deliver an experience. And for retailers, that means shelf appeal, strong impulse sales, and loyal repeat customers looking for something new or nostalgic.

Despite their playful nature, novelty sweets are serious business. While trends can come and go in a flash, there are certain products and formats that shoppers turn to consistently. Think popping candy, fizzy powder dips, and themed candy that taps into everything from pop culture to childhood nostalgia. The bestsellers often combine quirky packaging with interactive fun – and when they land well with shoppers, they can be hugely profitable.

Here, we’re diving into the data to share the top 10 best-selling novelty sweets at Hancocks from last year. While the novelty sector is famously unpredictable, you’ll notice some firm favourites that continue to perform year after year, proving that a touch of innovation, with a dash of familiarity, is a winning formula.

Candy Realms Candy Watches & Necklaces

A classic tried by time; Candy Watches & Necklaces have been popular across generations. Delicious candy beads adorn two lengths of elastic thread, with the shorter design also featuring a solid watch face. The timeless sweetshop favourites have truly stood the test of time. Combining both variations of the classic treat, these Candy Realms bags offer plenty of treats for shoppers to snack on and share, as well as giving retailers over 33% POR with an RRP of £1.20.

Crazy Candy Factory Funny Money Edible Paper

Throughout the history of novelty sweets, treats that look like other things have always proven popular. From animal shapes to character-themed treats, there are many eye-catching shapes confectionery can take. Last year, the Crazy Candy Factory Funny Money Edible Paper made its mark on the market. A longtime favourite, this treat has a playful and mischievous character that captures the imagination of young sweet lovers – and of course, it is nostalgic for older shoppers, too. Sweet wafer paper with a cheeky printed design – simple but proven to be effective.

PEZ Dispensers

A name that resonates across the world of confectionery, PEZ’s core proposition combines two powerful draws of any novelty sweet – eye-catching design and a unique eating experience. With an ever-growing range of famous faces and fun figures, paired with their signature dispensers, it is no surprise that PEZ sells well as a brand. Between keeping their range in step with pop culture and ongoing appeal to collectors, you can rely on this household name to deliver sales.

Zed Candy Screamers Blue Razz Big Lick

Always a brand with its finger on the pulse, Zed Candy’s range is full of exciting and innovative confections. Spanning both the sour sweet and liquid candy trends, their Screamers Blue Razz Big Lick was an in-demand treat. Whilst it is also available in Purple Razz flavour, the blue raspberry roller licker stayed true to the flavour's popularity over recent years and was the biggest hit.

Dubble Bubble Gumball Machine

The Dubble Bubble Gumball Machine oozes nostalgia and delivers brilliant bubblegum with incredible play factor. Way back in 1928, Dubble Bubble became the world’s first mass-produced bubblegum and set the standard. Today, nothing has changed. Making perfect gifts, toys, or just a little treat, these mini gumball machines ensure a magical experience and will add nostalgic charisma to any range.

Hannah’s Brain Licker

Arguably the treat that kickstarted the roller licker trend, Hannah’s Brain Licker took the UK market by storm with its sour liquid candy and the truly novel way it is consumed. Having truly broken the mould, the Brain Licker name has become synonymous with sour sweets and liquid candy. As has proven the case, if you add the Brain Licker to your range, thrill-seeking sweet lovers will be excited.

Crazy Candy Factory Jelly Bean Machine

An eye-catching dispenser filled with bright and fruity sweets, this Jelly Bean Machine offers tasty sweets, an element of play, and nostalgia. Diverse stock that’s suitable for gifting and also modest enough to be an effective impulse line, these machines are great for those who love the nostalgic gumball machines but prefer sweets over gum!

Crazy Candy Factory Gumball Machine

The fact that a third machine makes the top 10 list just goes to show exactly how popular the format is! This Crazy Candy Factory example, just like their Jelly Bean Machine, is brightly coloured to catch the eye, and the assortment of fruity gumballs has a modest £1.29 RRP that has proven popular with pocket money spenders and sweet lovers alike.

Crazy Candy Factory Sweet Soaker

With a capsule of fruity candy atop a functioning water pistol, the Crazy Candy Factory Sweet Soaker is a prime example of a novelty toy sweet. The summer months help to bring the play factor of this line to life, and it is perfect for coastal and leisure retailers throughout the hotter months. A tasty 40% POR makes them appealing stock year-round – it is no surprise to us that they are on this list.

Crazy Candy Factory Gummy Pizza Slices

Exemplifying the lovable food-themed sweets trend, these fruity Gummy Pizza Slices are simply delicious gummy sweets with a unique shape. Styled on the popular Italian food and made using a halal-friendly recipe, these are popular with a range of sweet lovers. Compared to many novelty treats, these may seem less complex, but they’re just as effective.

Whether you're catering to kids, collectors, or grown-ups after a dose of nostalgia, novelty sweets are a powerful addition to your confectionery range. They drive impulse purchases, create buzz both in-store and online, and keep customers coming back for the next big thing. At Hancocks, we stock a sensational range of wholesale novelty sweets — from timeless favourites to the latest must-haves — all ready to boost your margins and add personality to your shelves. You’ll find specialist brands like Crazy Candy Factory, super sour sensations like Warheads, plus countless lollipops, surprise eggs, and so much more to buy in bulk and online. Explore the full range, familiarise yourself with our delivery options, and make shoppers smile with the best novelty sweets.

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