Here's what's trending in candy and snacks for 2025
What's trending in candy and snacks? The Convenience Store News Canada team was on location at the 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis to find out.
Bringing together stakeholders from across the candy and snack industries in North America, the annual show featured more than 1,000 exhibitors to showcasing their innovations to 14,000 attendees.
Largely recognized as the place where trends are born, CSNC got a peek into the most-anticipated products consumers can expect to see in the candy and snack aisles in the coming years.
“The candy and snack industries continue to set the pace for innovation across the food industry, and the Sweets & Snacks Expo is where it all begins," said John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, which has hosted the expo for nearly 30 years. "Year after year, the show brings together a vibrant community that embraces bold ideas–driving manufacturers to create, inspiring retailers to surprise and delight, and ultimately delivering more exciting options for consumers.”
The association outlined three top trends that retailers will want to be on top of in 2025:
- Bold flavours: Consumers will find adventure in the candy and snack aisles, as bold new flavours and textures with inspiration from all over the world make their way to store shelves.
- Limited-time and seasonal offerings: Consumers are looking for flashy products–whether that’s seasonal products or limited time offers, they will have to get them before they are gone.
- Enhancing special moments and occasions: Candy enhances special moments, including family traditions, social gatherings, and seasonal celebrations, while snacks help consumers to savour them. Companies are meeting consumers where they want to be met with innovative new products and a variety of package sizes to suit every occasion.
There were plenty of innovators from Canada on the show floor.
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Conagra showcased Slim Jim innovations with WWE stars Jey Uso and Bianca Belair, pictured here with the CSNC team -
The team from Pur unveiled Jumbo Gum Sours, which are now hitting store shelves in Canada and the U.S. -
Jack Link's went all out with a mash up of Jif Peanut Butter and Smuckers Grape flavoured Beef Jerky -
Proudly Canadian, Bassé Nuts began in 1990 and now exports to 26 countries -
NaturSource, a Canadian-grown family business, produces better-for-you specialty nuts, mixes, and salad toppers -
Vidal turns up the heat with Spicy Chili Peppers gummies -
Larry Tomlin of PIM Brands Canada with the CSNC team -
Fusion flavour mash ups were a dominant trend -
Fererro on the show floor -
The Canadian Pavilion area was hopping -
Slim Jim activations -
Freeze dried candy continues to be a big trend -
Fun installations on the show floor
Our editorial colleagues at CSN in the U.S. cited an overarching theme of "permissible indulgence" and noted "there is no lack of creativity seen from the supplier companies exhibiting on the expo floor." Some of the trends they spotted at the 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo include:
- From functional snacks with health benefits to indulgent treats with nostalgic twists, brands are successfully appealing to diverse consumption needs.
- Rising concerns about inflation and cost have led to more strategic purchasing practices. Consumers are turning to multipack and variety options.
- Consumers are increasingly seeking snacks that align with their dietary and wellness goals. Categories like yogurt, natural cheese chunks and high-protein options are on the rise.
Consumers are seeking multisensorial experiences. They want bold, new flavours, mash-ups and textures that surprise and delight them.
READ: Permissible Indulgence Takes Centred Stage at 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo
Honouring innovation
The 2025 Most Innovative New Product Awards recognizes excellence in 12 categories.
“The Most Innovative New Product Awards are a celebration of the creativity and ingenuity that keeps people coming back to the candy and snack aisles,” said Downs. “Consumers turn to confectionery and snack products to add a little sweet or salty touch to special occasions and everyday moments. This year’s MINPA winners are outstanding examples of the ways in which the confectionery and snack industries are delivering products to meet consumers where they want to be met.”
More than 400 products were submitted for consideration in a variety of categories, with retail leaders serving as judges.
The Most Innovative New Product Awards Winners are:
- Best in Show: Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn Matcha Latte Popcorn
- Small Business Innovator: Nomad Snacks Pad Thai Flavored Ready-to-eat Popcorn
- Chocolate: Pop & Sol Coconut Flaked White Chocolate Covered Cashews
- Gourmet/Premium Confections: Mattigan’s Dubai Style Chocolate Spread
- Gum & Mints: breathROX Popping Breath Mints – Blue Raspberry
- Gummy Candy: Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters – Strawberry Punch
- Non-Chocolate Candy: Juicy Drop® Gummy Mystery Cube 5oz Original Flavor
- Novelty/Licensed: Ezee Freezee Freeze-n-Peel Strawberry Pop
- Seasonal: Amos Tastysounds JinglePop Graffiti
- Meat Snacks: Bavarian Meats Original Lil’ Landjaeger Individually Wrapped Stick
- Salty Snacks: Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn Dubai Chocolate Popcorn
- Savory Snacks: Snak Club Ramen flavored Snack Mix
- Sweet Snacks: Chunk Nibbles Toffee Sweet & Salty Clusters
- Baked Goods: Trashy Gourmet Shortbread Cookies with Mini Strawberry Boba from Molly Bz Cookies
The 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo took place May 13-15 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
