Sweeten Sales With Edibles

Candy Can Be a Tasteful Complement to Toys

By Julie L. Jones
July 2008

More than half of 55 specialty retailers surveyed recently told TDmonthly Magazine they don’t sell any candy in their store. But sweet-toothed customers aren’t left wanting everywhere. Some favorites of those who do stock the sweets? Candy necklaces and lollipops, rock candy sticks, PEZ, M&Ms by MARS, and chocolate treats, they said. Check out the list below for other edible suggestions:

Chocolate-Covered Rice Krispy Treats - Jedi Master by FORBIDDEN SWEETS

These handcrafted, 4- to 5-oz., chocolate-covered Rice Krispy treats are hand dipped and decorated with distinctive designs. They come individually wrapped in clear bags. Other designs include Rocket, Ice Cream Cone, Fish Bowl, Dice and Cowboy Boot. The treats make "great present toppers ... [and] party favors," Owner Candace Williams of The Toy Maven in Dallas, Texas, told TDmonthly. In spring 2008 she said that her store sells about 30 to 40 of these treats per week. 6/30/2008 (MSRP: $4.50)

Best of the West Chocolate and Caramel Pack by CERRETA CANDY COMPANY

This set features gold-foil gift boxes in the following assortment: a 7.25 ox. box of French Mint Truffles, an 8 oz. box of Camelbacks Pecan Caramel Clusters and an 8 oz. box of Arizona Western Shapes Chocolates. "They make a really good French chocolate mint," said retailer Fran Anaya of Flagstaff, Arizona's Golden Aspen Toys, which sells various chocolates and caramels offered by this company. 6/30/2008

Chocolate Covered Chips by BEDRÉ FINE CHOCOLATE

Chocolate Covered Chips by BEDRÉ FINE CHOCOLATE Bedré offers potato chips covered in milk, dark and white chocolate. "We probably sell six pieces a week [of the company's] potato chips or popcorn covered in chocolate," Owner Mary Ellen Cerney of Dear Friends & Children in Duncan, Okla., told TDmonthly in spring 2008. 6/30/2008

Assorted Taffy by TAFFY TOWN INC.

Assorted Taffy by TAFFY TOWN INC. Each assorted package of taffy contains some or all of the following flavors: Chocolate, Cherry, Red Licorice, Watermelon, Neopolitan, Apple, Caramel Swirl, Fresh Apricot, Root Beer Float, Cinnamon, Licorice Swirl, Caramel Corn, Raspberry, Banana, Peppermint, Vanilla, Grape and Orange Creme. "[We] maybe sell 5 lbs. of the taffy and maybe 10 to 15 lbs. of the [company's] chocolate per month," Fran Anaya, owner of Golden Aspen Toys in Flagstaff, Ariz., told TDmonthly in spring 2008. 6/30/2008

Jelly Belly Cold Stone Creamery Gift Set by JELLY BELLY CANDY COMPANY

The gift set features two ceramic cone-shaped dishes in the waffle style, along with a 5-oz. package of the Ice Cream Parlor Mix. Fans can use the ceramic cones as whimsical candy dishes, or serve homemade sundaes topped with the new Jelly Belly beans. The new Jelly Belly flavors in the Cold Stone Creamery licensed line are Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip®, Chocolate Devotion™, Our Strawberry Blonde™, Apple Pie A La Cold Stone® and the popular Birthday Cake Remix™. Launch date: August 2008. 6/16/2008

Wonka Bar by NESTLE WONKA DIVISION

Wonka Bar by NESTLE WONKA DIVISION This candy bar features Wonka milk chocolate and graham crackers.
— It is a best seller at the Lollipop Shop in Jonesborough, Tenn., and Kiawah Island, S.C., Co-owner Jeff Gurley told TDmonthly in spring 2008. 6/4/2008

M&M's Old-Fashioned Candy Dispenser by MARS INC.

M&M Available in yellow, green, red and blue, this M&M's dispenser features heavy die-cast construction and glass globe, and measures 10.5" high. "We carry 21 different colors of M&M's," Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, told TDmonthly in spring 2008. His store sells "hundreds of pounds a month" to schools and individual consumers who purchase the M&M's for parties. 6/30/2008 (MSRP: $35.00)

Reindeer Lip Lollipops with Light Up Nose by FORD GUM & MACHINE CO.

Plastic reindeer lips and a battery-operated, lighted nose are attached to a cherry-flavored lollipop. “Compared to competition, the Carousel Reindeer Lollipop is entirely unique,” Ford Gum & Machine Company Director of Marketing David Plotnick told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008. 5/30/2008 (MSRP: $1.15; Age: All Ages)

Musical Christmas Ornament with Candy by FORD GUM & MACHINE CO.

he 2-3/4” Christmas ornament is filled with holiday treats and plays assorted Christmas carols at the push of a button. “Compared to competition, the Carousel Musical Christmas Ornament is the best value item like it,” Ford Gum & Machine Company Director of Marketing David Plotnick told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008. 5/30/2008 (MSRP: $1.15; Age: All Ages)

Nintendo Wii KLIK-On by AU´SOME CANDIES

Nintendo Wii KLIK-On by AU´SOME CANDIES The toy dispenses Au'some candy rolls and Smarties bubble gum. “It has the cool factor as well as a refillable item for future use,” Au’some Candies Vice President of Operations Rose Downey told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 1, 2008. 5/30/2008 (MSRP: $1.99; Age: 7 to 12)

Uck! Yuck! Worms In Muck Dirt Pudding Kit by SASSAFRAS ENTERPRISES INC.

The kit comes with everything kids need to make “dirt pudding.” The kit includes chocolate pudding mix, cookie crumb "dirt," two flowerpots, gummy worms and a rhyming recipe. Launch date: March 2008. 5/21/2008 (MSRP: $14.95; Age: 3 and Up)

Bacon Beans by ACCOUTREMENTS

Bacon Beans by ACCOUTREMENTS Each 6-1/2” x 1-1/2” x 1” bacon-shaped tin contains 60 bacon-flavored jellybeans. These jellybeans are not quite as tasty as real bacon, but better for the arteries. Twelve shrink-wrapped tins come in each illustrated display box. 5/13/2008 (MSRP: $5.95)

Fairy Mints by ACCOUTREMENTS

Fairy Mints by ACCOUTREMENTS The 3” x 2-1/4” x 1/2” tin contains 150 rose petal-flavored candies. Each illustrated display box comes with 36 shrink-wrapped tins. 5/13/2008 (MSRP: $2.50)

Plush Backpack & Key Chains by PEZ

Plush Backpack & Key Chains by PEZ The Pez plush key chain-dispenser line includes cats, dogs, safari animals, party animals, arctic babies and Easter barnyard babies. Launch date: March 2008. 1/29/2008

Cuddle Cubs: Koala Bear by PEZ

Cuddle Cubs: Koala Bear by PEZ The koala plush key chain holds a heart-shaped pillow that reads “Love.” The dispenser comes on a card with a roll of Pez candy. Three other cuddly creatures are available in the plush key chain-dispenser line. Launch date: 2008. 1/29/2008 (MSRP: $3.99)

Seattle Mariners Tin by NEW WORLD MANAGEMENT INC.

The collectible tin features the Seattle Mariners logo and comes with tasty mints. “Quite simply, there is no competitor!” Daniel Kasberg of New World Management Inc., told TDmonthly. “We are the only ones with an official MLB license.” Launch date: April 1, 2008. 6/4/2008 (MSRP: $3.99; Age: 6 and Up)

Elvis Tin: 3 Decades of Elvis by PEZ

The limited edition tin comes with three Pez dispensers, each depicting one of the different looks Elvis sported over the years. The 7”W x 7-3/4”H x 2-1/4”D tin comes with two rolls of Pez Cola candy and an Elvis Presley Music CD. 1/29/2008 (MSRP: $19.99)