Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Confectionery wholesaler urges retailers to stay updated with social media trends

Confectionery wholesaler urges retailers to stay updated with social media trends
iStock image
Getty Images

UK’s leading confectionery distributor World of Sweets is encouraging retailers to keep an eye on social media trends to boost their sales, saying social media platforms like TikTok can be incredibly useful when it comes to knowing which products to stock as children, teenagers and young adults are always sharing the latest craze.

In March 2023, Ofcom reported that 5.2 million 15-24 year olds used TikTok and spent an average of 58 minutes a day on the app, followed by 48 minutes on YouTube and 25 minutes on Instagram. According to a recent research, 66 per cent of consumers use video content to learn about a brand or product, proving the majority of customers rely on social media to influence their buying habits.


These videos are often of unboxings which show customers opening products for the first time, reviews and taste tests.

A recent campaign by Zed Candy around its Big Lick product was successful across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. The campaign had a total of 22.7 million views on TikTok alone with thousands of people commenting on how much they love the Zed Candy line.

The popular brand is rolling out their social media campaigns for other new and exciting kids novelty products in the Screamers range including the innovative Shake & Spray, Sour Gel, Sour Powder, and Mega Sour Gum Rope, stated recent reports.

Reports quoted Chris Smith, Partner Brand Manager at World of Sweets as saying, “We all know that social media is an incredibly powerful tool and it can be great for keeping an eye on trends and products that are in demand.

“People share everything nowadays including which products they’re loving. Statistics show that people use social media to help with their buying decisions meaning that the chances are if it’s trending online it will be flying off the shelves.

“Zed Candy’s recent social media campaign is a prime example of this. It was a hugely successful campaign with loads of engagement across all social media platforms.

“Spotting this trend and stocking up on Zed Candy products would have put retailers ahead of the curve.

“That’s why we’re encouraging our customers to take advantage of social media and use it to monitor new emerging trends and products to help drive sales and meet demand.

“It really is a great way for retailers to see what people are invested in real time.”

World of Sweets is the UK’s largest confectionery distributor, importer, and wholesaler, supplying thousands of customers across all retail channels.

Offering a world of distribution solutions from e-commerce wholesale with 55,000 visitors per week to Hancocks wholesale stores with over 22,000 customers, a field sales team including a retailer app and website login covering 7,000 independent customers and a national accounts team covering all UK retail channels.

More for you

Illegal vape seizures in Essex surge by 14,000%, highlighting the growing black market and calls for stricter regulations

Essex sees shocking 14,000 per cent surge in illegal vape seizures

Essex has seen a staggering rise of over 14,000 per cent in illegal vape seizures in the past 12 months, a new report has revealed.

The shocking figures place the county just behind the London Borough of Hillingdon for total seizures - which leading industry expert, Ben Johnson, Founder of Riot Labs, attributes to its proximity to Heathrow airport.

Keep ReadingShow less
long-term effects of vaping on children UK study
Photo: iStock

Vaping: Government begins decade-long child health study

Britain will investigate the long-term effects of vaping on children as young as eight in a decade-long study of their health and behaviour, the government said on Wednesday.

The government has been cracking down on the rapid rise of vaping among children, with estimates showing a quarter of 11- to 15-year-olds have tried it out.

Keep ReadingShow less
United Wholesale Dominates 2025 Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards

Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards

Scottish Wholesale Association

Scottish wholesalers celebrated at annual awards

United Wholesale, JW Filshill and CJ Lang & Sons emerged as the stars of Scotland wholesale world in the recently held annual Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards.

Achievers, now in its 22nd year and organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association, recognises excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry and the achievements that have made a difference to individuals, communities and businesses over the last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Self-checkout tills at UK grocery store

Self-checkout at grocery store

iStock image

Debate heats up as community group calls to boycott self-checkouts

While a community group recently criticised self-service checkouts, saying automation lacks the "feel good factor", retailers maintain that rise in the trend is a response to changing consumer behaviour and the need of the hour.

Taking aim at self-checkouts in stores, Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum recently stated that such automation is replacing workers and damaging customer service.

Keep ReadingShow less