Nestlé Confectionery brings Christmas cheer with news from big brands

This year Nestlé Confectionery will continue to build on its winning Christmas range from big name brands, with the return of festive favourites and a wealth of innovation for shoppers to enjoy.

Synonymous with Christmas, Quality Street had a fantastic 2021 securing the top spot as leading twist wrap brand, performing ahead of the category +10.4 per cent. This year the brand is seeking to build on this growth, starting with some exciting new product launches. Quality Street's pouch bag format had a particularly strong 2021, +41.7 per cent.

This year it will be joined by two new favourites bags- The Purple One – the nation’s favourite Quality Street sweet - and Strawberry Delight. Shoppers will also get the chance to try their favourite sweets reimagined with two new blocks inspired by The Purple One and Orange Crunch.

In addition, Quality Street Matchmakers is back with a new Matchmakers Honeycomb variety, comprising of delicious honeycomb chocolate sticks full of crunchy pieces in a blend of milk and dark chocolate. The new flavour joins core flavours mint and orange to complete the Matchmakers Christmas range.

Another key category at Christmas is After Dinner Mints, which is growing +3.9 per cent and worth £39 million in the UK1. After Eight grew 10.5 per cent last Christmas and now accounts for 60 per cent of After Dinner Mints. This year the brand celebrates its 60th birthday, which it will honour with an eye-catching special edition design for its must-stock 300g box.

In recent years new flavours have driven real excitement in the category, bringing in 2.9 million more shoppers and a younger audience. Brand new for 2022 is Cherry & Mint flavour, voted for by consumers, with dark chocolate and cherry proving a winning combination. Also new is the After Eight Mint Collection box which aims to bring new shoppers into the inlaid category. This indulgent collection contains five delicious flavours- Dark Peppermint Truffle, Dark Peppermint Cream, Dark Peppermint Crisp, Dark Orange and Peppermint Cream and Milk Peppermint Truffle.

In the Inlaid boxed chocolates category Dairy Box's star performing Christmas Collection returns to the range for 2022. It grew a huge 42 per cent in 2021 versus the same period the previous year.

Giant Tubes are a versatile confectionery format bought for many occasions and ideal for stocking fillers and token gifts. The category grew +7 per cent in 2021 with Nestlé driving the growth +11 per cent. There is something for everyone in the range including family favourites Smarties, Rowntree's, Milkybar, Rolo and more, plus this year there will be two brand new launches. With the AERO brand continuing to attract new shoppers, the new AERO Peppermint Bubbles giant tube is certain to be a popular addition to the range. It will be joined by the Smarties White giant tube, which taps into the growing trend for white chocolate.

Finally, two brand new selection boxes will launch this Christmas. A special AERO Selection includes the popular Milk Chocolate, Peppermint, Orange and Snowy White chocolate blocks all wrapped up in a festive, gift worthy design. Whilst the new Smarties and Milkybar Selection comes filled with family favourites from the brands and features a fun family game on the back of pack.