Hancocks unveils Veganuary range

With 4% of people in the UK following a vegan lifestyle in 2022, vegan confectionery sales have grown in line with those hoping to follow a meat and dairy free diet.

Hancocks said Veganuary is a great time for convenience retailers to make the most of the growing trend and increase footfall in stores, by stocking up on a wide range of vegan-friendly treats in their self-serve and impulse ranges.

A good range for retailers looking to expand their vegan range, according to the wholesaler, is the pick and mix selection from Kingsway. Favourites include Tongue Painters, Giant Strawberries, Sour Dummies and Dracula Teeth.

Fizzy sweet lovers are also covered with Kingsway’s range, as they offer Fizzy Twin Cherries, Fizzy Blue Jelly Babies, Fizzy Cola Bottles, Fizzy Sour Apples and Fizzy Cherry Cola Bottles among their range.

When it comes to merchandising, pick and mix lines can either be sold as part of a wider pick and mix range or pre-packaged with other vegan treats in bags or boxes for customers.

Swedish confectionery brand BUBs have worked to create some of the best vegan sweets around and are a key part of the Hancocks pick and mix range.

The huge range of BUBs available for retailers include the iconic Skull Sweets in Cool Melon, Cool Cola, Sour Raspberry and Lemon and Sour Skulls.

For 2023, BUBs are unveiling new lines to add to their extensive vegan range. New products include BUBs Dizzy Skulls, Wild Strawberry and Pomegranate Ovals, Cool Passion and Pineapple Skulls and BUBs Sour Bolt.

Vegan customers like to know that they can purchase similar tasty treats to those who are not following a vegan lifestyle, which, said Hancocks, is why branded treats like Vimto work well.

Hancocks said Swizzels Vimto Chew Bar, Vimto Roller Licker Liquid Candy and the Millions Vimto Jar should all be merchandised with clear and attractive signage throughout Veganuary to let customers know they can be enjoyed by all.

Retailers can also stock up on nostalgic favourites like Pez for vegan customers. The colourful dispensers are available in lots of different characters, including Harry Potter, My Little Pony and Disney Princesses.

Other branded vegan favourites, like Rowntree’s Fruit Gums and Fruit Pastilles are also available from Hancocks. 

The wholesaler suggests retailers wanting to expand their dietary specific range should also look to the Vegetarian sweet selection from Hancocks.

The veggie range includes brand new Bonds Baby Meerkats Kids Bag, Bonds Chocolate Oranges Bag, Kingsway Veggie Pandas and Bonds Giant Strawbs Shaker Cup.