Source: Nestlé

The treats feature mini Smarties encased in chocolate

Nestlé has unveiled a trio of Smarties Buttons.

The fmcg giant has created milk, white and orange-flavoured buttons for the brand, which contain Mini Smarties encased in chocolate.

Orange Smarties Buttons have rolled exclusively into Asda, but the the other flavours would hit “all major retailers” over the coming weeks in 32.5g single and 90g sharing packs, said Nestlé (rsp: 35p-£1.59).

Smarties was “loved for [its] bright colours, taste and texture”, said its brand manager Alberto Pisanello. ”At the same time, consumers tell us they like their favourite brands to keep things fresh with exciting innovations and new varieties to try.”

It comes on the back of a solid year in the supermarkets for Smarties: sales of the brand were up £5.2m (10.8%) over the 52 weeks to 7 September 2019, on volumes up 11.6% [Nielsen].

It’s not the only chocolate stalwart experimenting with new formats. Mars earlier this month took its Maltesers brand into the biscuit aisle, rolling out new snacks made for the brand by Burton’s Biscuit Company.

Read more: Top Products 2019 – chocolate confectionery