RETAILERS: new lines that go down a treat There are all-time greats, and then there are the pretenders. But which ones will have the staying power to hang in the hall of fame? Sarah Hardcastle talks to those in the know Everyone knows the all-time confectionery best sellers ­ they change little from year to year. But what about the new lines that have come out in the past 12 months? Which ones have titillated consumers' tastebuds and got the tills ringing, and which haven't? We asked the impulse sector for its views. Woolworths' confectionery spokesman: "Three lines are doing spectacularly well for us ­ Cadbury's Snowflake, which has just been launched, Haribo's Build a Burger and Lucky Bags." Richard Bishop, managing director of delivered wholesaler FW Bishop & Son, and chairman of Sugro UK: "It's been a disappointing year for new launches. Fry's Spirit had very poor sales, Mars' additions to the Starburst range ­ Smilers, Factor X, Joosters and Sourburst ­ have also had very limited success. "The strawberry and cream variety of Bendick's new Campino sweet has proved popular, but the other flavour, orange and cream, has been disappointing, probably because it was not advertised on TV. "Terry's Orange Bubbler ­ a limited edition and not on sale now ­ did very well and one would hope that Terry's will consider including it in its mainstream range. "Kit Kat Chunky, launched last year, still attracts very good sales and I am hopeful that the newly launched Cadbury's Snowflake will prove as equally popular." Grace Russell, proprietor of independent CTN E & G Confectioners, Rainham, Kent: "Kit Kat Chunky has really taken off and has kept up its rate of sale since launch. Everybody buys it, especially men who get it with their newspaper in the morning for their tea break. Snowflake is also selling extremely well because of all the publicity it received from Anthea Turner's wedding. But that doesn't make it a bestseller yet. Initial sales are always good because people are keen to try new things, but they go back to their old favourites or move on to the next thing if the product fails to please. "Cadbury's Wispa Bite is also selling well because it's new, but there's too many variants which makes the brand confusing for customers. "I've had two disappointing sellers, both chocolate orange flavoured ­ Terry's Orange Bubbler and Orange Dime. Neither moved out the door." Ron Cohen, proprietor of independent c-store Country Store, Dunmow, Essex: "We're a village shop selling a bit of everything. Our best sellers at the moment are Kinder Surprise eggs and a Chupa Chups Pokémon candy-filled container. We sold an awful lot of Kit Kat Chunky ­ about two or three boxes a week ­ when it first came out, but now sales have fallen off. "Our steady sellers are our 50 jars of loose confectionery which are time-consuming to weigh out but customers like them because they offer better value than pre-packs." Brian Babb, proprietor of independent ctn Brians News, Belfast: "Mars' Starburst Jooster and Factor X, and Nestlé's Bursting Bugs are the best sellers among the newcomers, along with Kit Kat Chunky. Nestlé's Footy Shapes have been very slow and we won't be re-stocking them." Janet Taylor, proprietor of independent off-licence Westfield Lane Stores, Pontefract, West Yorks: "Rowntree's Body Parts, the Chunky Aero and Wonka bars are all selling well. I've just got Snowflake in and sold the first box straight away. "What hasn't done well is the relaunched Fry's chocolate cream bars. I won't be re-stocking them." Nanji Vadher, proprietor of independent c-store Stanley Food and Wine Store, Bristol: "Snowflake has just started and sales are picking up but we've yet to sell a whole box. "Nestlé's Milkybar Choo we've had for some time, and that's doing really well. All the kids love it. "I'm also getting a lot of interest in a new 100g bar of organic chocolate." Amit Ruparelia, proprietor of independent c-store Happy Shopper, Northampton: "We're getting big time sales from Kit Kat Chunky, which is outselling the 4-finger bar. I'm getting through a box a week. "Nestlé's Milkybar Choo, Magic Stars and Crispy Roll and Cadbury's Giant Buttons are achieving good sales. I try all the new lines but after the initial interest, sales fall off." {{FOCUS SPECIALS }}