BRAND NEWS
Strawberry Rose takes the top spot at Fudge Kitchen’s New Year, New Flavour competition
Fudge Kitchen has unveiledl a brand-new fudge flavour for 2026 following their highly anticipated New Year, New Flavour competition. Now an annual highlight in the Fudge Kitchen calendar, the competition invites all six of the brand’s high-street shops to compete creatively, developing innovative flavours that could become the next customer favourite. The winning flavour is then rolled out nationwide, both in-store and online. This year’s competition took place on
Thursday 15 January at Fudge Kitchen’s production kitchen in Aylesham, Kent. Teams were challenged to create flavour-led, seasonal, limited-edition fudges suitable for release throughout the year. In total, twelve flavours were entered, including Mulled Cider, Candy Cane, Pistachio Cream, Tiramisu, Cherry
Lemonade and Peaches & Cream. The judging panel comprised Fudge Kitchen
staff and experienced Fudge Makers, alongside four guest experts: Annabelle Cox, Owner and Creator of Dunk Cookies; Robin Newall, Head of Sales at Simply Ice Cream; Bethan Grylls, Editor at Food Manufacture; and Mia Chapman from Sideways Media.
And the Winner Is… Windsor – Strawberry Rose After a full morning of tasting and debate, Strawberry Rose, created by the Windsor team, was crowned the overall winner. The flavour consistently ranked highly with judges and ultimately stood out for its elegant pairing of fresh strawberries and fragrant rose, making it perfectly timed for a Valentine’s Day launch.
Divine launches luxury hot chocolate collection
Divine Chocolate is expanding its premium range with the launch of its refreshed Luxury Hot Chocolate Collection, introducing three indulgent flavours made with responsibly sourced, Fairtrade cocoa. The range supports Ghanaian cocoa
farmers and their communities, offering retailers a product that delivers rich flavour alongside strong ethical credentials. This aligns with growing consumer demand for responsibly sourced chocolate, with 44% of shoppers considering ethical sourcing ‘important’ or ‘very important’*. The Luxury Hot Chocolate Collection
features three flavours: Luxury Hot Chocolate – A smooth, creamy classic delivering a rich, full-flavoured cup. Hazelnut Praline – Roasted hazelnut blended with cocoa for a deeply indulgent, nutty profile. Salted Caramel – Cocoa combined with buttery caramel and a touch of sea salt for a balanced sweet-and-savoury taste. Each container contains
approximately 12 servings, making the range suitable for both individual
indulgence and gifting. The collection is vegan-friendly and B Corp-certified, combining premium taste with responsibly sourced ingredients. Lydia Stubbins, Group Marketing
Director at Divine Chocolate, commented: “Consumers are increasingly seeking indulgent hot drinks that don’t compromise on ethics or taste. Our refreshed Luxury Hot Chocolate Collection brings this to life, with rich flavours that elevate our premium hot chocolate offering. “Our ‘made to matter’
approach ensures quality and
ethical sourcing at every stage, from Ghanaian cocoa farms to the finished cup. This provides retailers with a product that delivers exceptional taste while telling a compelling ethical story.” The Luxury Hot Chocolate
Collection is available from January via RH Amar, Suma Wholefoods and Cotswold Fayre, with an RRP of £8.99 per flavour. A bundle featuring all three flavours is also available, with an RRP of £19.99, making it a standout addition to retailers’ hot drinks ranges.
8 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025/26 Richard Parson, Fudge Kitchen Managing
Director, commented: “Strawberry Rose feels elegant, balanced and exactly the sort of thing we’re delighted to share for Valentine’s Day. Best in show, and a real all-round crowd pleaser.”
Runners-Up Joint second place went to Candy Cane (Windsor) and Pistachio Cream (York), while third place was awarded to Bath’s Mulled Cider. Special mentions went to Edinburgh’s
Tiramisu and Canterbury’s visually striking Strawberry Trifle. Strawberry Rose Fudge will be available in all Fudge Kitchen shops and online from 1st February 2026, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Mars Wrigley launches new in-store campaign for Easter 2026
Mars Wrigley is unveiling a new Easter activation for 2026, combining seasonal NPD, impactful in-store theatre and an interactive shopper promotion offering the chance to win £10,000, alongside hundreds of instant cash prizes. The Great Easter Bunny Off invites shoppers to vote
for their favourite Easter bunny, bringing together three seasonal favourites: MALTESERS® Bunny Milk Chocolate, MALTESERS® Bunny Popcorn and M&M’S® Crispy Bunny. The playful voting mechanic is designed to drive engagement and dwell time in store. The activation will be supported by a comprehensive
suite of POS, including FSDUs, dumpbins, aisle fins, shelf barkers and digital retail media, ensuring strong visibility across the full path to purchase. The 2026 Easter range also features major NPD launches, including MALTESERS® Mini Eggs and the national rollout of GALAXY MINSTRELS® Mini Eggs, supported by tailored displays across Treat Hunt, Gifting and Baking occasions. Steve Waters, Senior Brand Manager, Easter at Mars
Wrigley, said the range combines flavour innovation and playful seasonal design to help retailers maximise Easter sales. The promotion runs from 22 December 2025 to 10 April 2026, with entry via QR code in store.
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