Styling and Photography by Laurie Mosco

This year, what’s old is new and what’s old is being made even newer.  Nostalgia has been a bestseller for some time, but newstalgia is what’s trending for 2022, according to the National Confectioners Association (Candy Industry). Newstalgia is fresh and innovative twists on confectionery classics.  Whether they’re looking to take a trip down memory lane, or experience a favorite in a whole new way, here are ways to promote the newstalgia and nostalgic craze.

Bowl Them Over – Classic Dessert and Cereal Brands Re-imagined

One trend we’re seeing in the newstalgia space is longtime brands throwing their hat into the packaged portable snacks ring.  One such brand is Jell-O.  The company’s jiggly gelatin and rich pudding has been a fixture on dessert tables for generations. Jell-O classics are reimagined into poppable, portable snacks. Those fans of fruity Jell-O will wiggle and jiggle with delight to try Jell-O Candy Squares, a chewy candy featuring classic Jell-O flavors with a sour spin like Sour Cherry and Berry Blue.  Since customers “always have room for Jell-O,” they’ll certainly make room for Jell-O Milk Chocolate Pudding Cups — milk chocolate cups filled with the company’s classic creamy chocolate pudding.

But it’s not just dessert brands that are reimagined. Popular cereal brands are joining in the fun, too.  Froot Loops cereal is already known for its unique fruity flavor and aroma, so customers will be “bowled” over to see their favorite cereal in gummy form.  Introducing Froot Loops Gummies!  If they’re looking for the classic fruit flavors with a crunch, then Kellogg’s Fruit Loops Cereal Straws will suck them in.  The 90’s nostalgic wafer straws are back and now available in classic Froot Loops flavor, adding their familiar fruity flavor to drinks and cereal bowls. If it’s chocolate flavors they love a choco-LOT, there’s Kellogg’s Cocoa Krispies Straws, too.

The snacks are re-imagined, but it’s important that the packages sport the iconic branding, so customers make that instant nostalgic connection. 

Classics 2.0  

Longtime confectionery brands recognize the newstalgia trend, too and give their highly popular classic candies innovative twists.

Everyone knows and loves Starburst, but they’ll be on cloud nine when they hear about Starburst Airs Gummies.  The chewy, fruity classic candy is transformed into a pillowy gummy. Offered in both Original and Sour Tropical flavors, Starburst Airs will be a breath of fresh air in your confectionery section.

Razzles, the candy that turns into a gum, is a nostalgic snack consumers CHEW-se again and again. Offer them a new flavor mix with Razzles Berry Mix featuring strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry. It’ll be “berry” much appreciated.     

Ring Pops are the crowning jewel of most impulse sections. So when the favorite fruity ring lollipops are remixed as a filled gummy, Ring Pop Gummy Gems it’s something they’ll instantly treasure. Each Ring Pop gemstone-shaped gummy features a different flavored gushy sour gel center. With fruity combinations of blue raspberry watermelon, tropical pineapple orange, lime blue raspberry, and cherry apple, there’s a treasure trove of flavors to uncover.

Again recognizable branding on the packaging plays a big part in the initial appeal to these new confections. But their unique tastes and textures is what will keep them coming back.

Longtime Brands = New Favorites

When it comes to snacking, younger customers are looking for unique experiences. One way to appeal to the younger crowd is with “deep pulls” a.k.a. – longtime retro candy brands that they’ll love to discover. Though not 100% new, they’re new to this customer base while also taking older customers on a trip down memory lane.

A popular retro brand that every generation seeks out is Bonomo Turkish Taffy.  From the minute customers see the retro font and bold red stripes, they’re instantly transported to 1930’s Coney Island, Brooklyn where the classic confection originates (or perhaps just back in time a decade or two to their own childhood).  Because Bonomo taffy is eaten by smacking and cracking, it is social-media worthy too, helping to attract even more new customers. Make sure to carry the beloved chewy candy in iconic flavors like Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, and Banana. 

If it’s crunchy candy that gets them excited, recommend Necco Wafers.  Necco went a “wafer” a while but are back by popular demand, adding to the mystique.  Each wafer offers a signature flavor like chocolate, orange, and the old-timey nostalgic flavors, like clove, cinnamon, wintergreen, and licorice are fun for newcomers to uncover.

 Another brand with a cult following sure to gain new followers is Annabelle’s Big Hunk.  This 1950’s classic candy bar featuring honey sweetened nougat speckled with peanuts gets an update with roasted almonds, creating a delightful remix of chewy crunchy textures. 

Keep the classic snack remixes coming with our newstalgia selection