Author: aamira.okhai@sweetzone.co.uk

Curious about what sweets are the most popular with our customers? In this article, we’ll highlight some of our best-selling jelly sweets, marshmallows, and halal treats. Discover the favorites that keep our customers coming back for more.

Top Jelly Sweets Tubs:

With such a wide range of tubs it’s difficult to pick the top sellers, especially as around 14 of them are new tubs which have only come out recently. However there are certain tubs that always tend to sell really well and that we would always highly recommend for listings.

2p Blue Raspberry Bottles: Bottles always tend to be good sellers and blue sweets also tend to do very well which means our fizzy blue raspberry bottles are consistently amongst our top selling lines every month. Other bottles like the cola bottles, fizzy cola bottles, fizzy blue bottles are always a sure bet as well.

7p Sour Suckers & Snakes : Another very popular line are the 7p Sour Suckers which come in a variety of colours and flavours. The 7p Sour Snakes are similar and also a great seller.

20p Yellow Bellies: Yellow Bellies are another great seller. Animal shapes tend to sell quite well on the whole with our mini frogs and blue dolphins also proving to be amongst our top lines.

In our tubs and bulk 1kg ranges we tend to focus only on top sellers and discontinue any lines that are slow sellers so you should find almost all of the lines in our range perform very well.

Top 1kg Bags:

1kg Sour Apple Rings : Our sour apple rings have a nice colour and tasty apple flavour and generally prove to be a top seller.

1kg Blue Dolphins: Dolphins are an elite sweets that go down well with a lot of our customers. We’re not sure why but people seem to really like them!

1kg Fruit Chews: These are a new line we started doing in bulk more recently but they are performing really well with a good uptake from our customers. Possibly as a wrapped sweet they have a more versatile usage than the standard unwrapped jelly sweets.

Large Sharing Bags:

180g Jelly Mixes: Our Party Mix, Tangy Mix and Fizzy Mix constantly rank amongst the best selling sharing bags. People tend to love jelly sweets and our mixes provide a great assortment of colours and flavours in a convenient mix format.

200g Chews: Our fruit chews are definitely amongst the best in the market worldwide. Fruit chews and Mega Stix are top, top sellers and Sour Fruit Chews and Tropical Blast are also strong performers as well.

140g Marshmallows: Mallow Twists and Mighty Mallows are two top lines listed in the main supermarkets and performing very well in the independents. 

Where retailers have a limited space available all of the above lines make for a great selection of our top selling bags.

Top 170g Tubs

170g Fizzy Blue Bottles – Fizzy pink and blue bottles are always a top line and customer favourite in all formats.

170g Strawberry Puffs – These little pink and white sweets with tasty strawberry flavour are always a strong contender for being a top seller.

170g Rainbow Belts – Rainbow belts remain a popular seller because they look good, taste great and possible also appeal to or vegan customers.

These are just some of the best sellers in each category and most of the different sweets in our range all sell really well. If they don’t sell we don’t keep them in the range!

For a more in depth discussion on the best sellers that will be most suitable for your business feel free to contact us for more information.

Halal sweets play a significant role in Islamic celebrations and everyday life. From Ramadan to Eid, these sweets bring joy and festivity to any occasion. In this article, we’ll explore halal sweets perfect for Islamic holidays and celebrations.

Ramadan: Breaking the fast with a sweet treat is a cherished tradition during the holy month of Ramadan. Dates are a popular choice, but halal sweets like baklava and Turkish delight are also often enjoyed. These sweets provide a quick source of energy after a day of fasting. Some jelly sweets, marshmallows or Mega Stix coud also be warranted before or after Tirawi : )

Eid al-Fitr: Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with a feast that includes a variety of halal treats. Kunafa, a pastry made with thin noodle-like dough and filled with cheese or nuts, is a favourite. Maamoul, a stuffed shortbread cookie, is another popular treat. Sweet platters like the one on the right also go down a treat with the children.

Eid al-Adha: Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is another major Islamic holiday celebrated with delicious sweets. Halva, a dense, sweet confection made from tahini or semolina, is often enjoyed. Sheer khurma, a vermicelli pudding, is a traditional dessert served during this festival. Many people also like to make up sweet cones or other sweet mixes for the younger generation to enjoy.

Weddings and Special Occasions: Halal sweets are also integral to weddings and special occasions. Sweets like jalebi, a deep-fried treat soaked in syrup, and barfi, a milk-based sweet, are commonly served. These sweets symbolize happiness and prosperity.

Everyday Treats: Halal sweets are not just for special occasions. Gummy bears, marshmallows, and other halal-certified candies can be enjoyed as everyday treats. They are perfect for sharing with family and friends or as a sweet indulgence for yourself. Sweetzone has a range that is ideal for this with a broad assortment of all types of halal confectionery.

Halal sweets add a touch of sweetness to every occasion, from religious celebrations to everyday moments. Explore our wide range of halal sweets on our website and find the perfect treats for your next celebration.

While much of the world is currently concerned about issues with declining and aging populations, this is not the case with Muslims around the world who still have growing populations, and populations that are largely youthful.

There are an estimated 1.57 billion Muslims – nearly a quarter of the world’s total population.

While Muslims are found on all five inhabited continents, more than 60% of the global Muslim population is in Asia and about 20% in the Middle East and North Africa. However, the Middle East-North Africa region has the highest percentage of Muslim-majority countries, more than half of which are 95% Muslim or greater.

More than 300 million Muslims, or one-fifth of the world’s Muslim population, live in countries where Islam is not the majority religion. These minority Muslim populations are often quite large. India, for example, has the third-largest population of Muslims worldwide. China has more Muslims than Syria, while Russia is home to more Muslims than Jordan and Libya combined.

While there are much less Muslims within the West than in the countries above there are still sizeable populations to be found in parts of Europe. In Sweetzone’s home country, the United Kingdom, we have nearly 3 million Muslims and in countries like France and Germany there are larger populations coming up for 5M Muslims in each country.

In Europe as a whole, the Muslim share of the population was expected expected to grow by nearly one-third between 2010 and 2030, rising from 6% of the region’s inhabitants in 2010 to 8% in 2030. In absolute numbers, Europe’s Muslim population is projected to grow from 44.1 million in 2010 to 58.2 million in 2030.

In a recent Tesco conference in October 2024 we were surprised to hear that instead of the typically 2.1 children that we had 20 years ago the UK replacement rate is currently standing at 1.44 children per couple. The supermarkets are well aware that this is not the case within all communities and there is currently a real focus on ensuring they are genuinely serving the needs of the communities they supply with award winning offers.

Overall, it seems that with Muslim populations steadily increasing all over the world, combined with the growth in halal food consumption  this is extremely good news for Sweetzone as it means that the number of people with a requirement for halal sweets will continue to grow and demand for our products should continue to grow internationally as well.

In 2023, the number of people following a vegan lifestyle increased by over 1 million in the UK alone. The global number of vegans has been estimated to be as high as 230 million people, but why is veganism on the increase?

As more and more of us decide to look after our lifestyle and wellbeing, many take to plant-based diets to improve their health. Studies have found that, combined with the right vitamins and nutrients, a vegan diet can improve heart and gut health, lower cancer and stroke risk, assist weight loss and improve blood pressure and cholesterol.

Most Muslims will remain sceptical as it’s prescribed in the Quran as fine to eat animals, but it’s down to individual choice and what works well for one person won’t work for another. There’s no issue with people finding a diet that works for their personal requirements and makes them feel good about their diet.

For some, the decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle is not just about personal health, but also about ethical considerations. Whether driven by religious beliefs or personal values, these individuals choose to abstain from animal products, contributing to a larger movement towards ethical living.

The growth in people choosing a plant-free vegan lifestyle has been aided by significant expansion in the range of foods now having plant-based alternatives. Gone are the days of processed, grey meat substitutes with little variation.

A growing number of confectionery companies are releasing vegan sweets, which offer the same great taste and texture without the use of animal products. This is achieved by replacing gelatin, dairy, and honey with plant-based alternatives such as agar-agar, coconut/soy milk, or maple syrup.

At Sweetzone, we are proud to offer a diverse range of vegan sweets, including pencils, lollipops, candy floss, hard candies, and more. By combining our vegan range with our dedication to providing halal sweets, we strive to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their dietary requirements or lifestyle, can indulge in our delicious treats.

Please visit our Vegan Information page for more information – https://sweetzone.blue2web.co.uk/vegan-information

Have you ever wondered how your favourite jelly sweets are made? Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the production process of our delicious jelly sweets. From selecting the finest ingredients to the final packaging, we’ll take you through each step of how we create these delightful treats.

Selecting Quality Ingredients:

The journey of our jelly sweets begins with selecting the highest quality ingredients. We use natural fruit juices, premium halal gelatine, and high quality flavours to ensure the best taste and texture. Our commitment to quality starts with sourcing the best raw materials from the best suppliers.

Mixing and Heating:

The ingredients are mixed in precise proportions to create the perfect jelly sweet mixture. This mixture is then heated to the right temperature to dissolve the gelatine and blend the flavours. Temperature control is crucial to achieving the ideal consistency.

Adding Flavours and Colours:

Once the base mixture is ready, flavours and colours are added. We use a variety of fruit extracts and plant-based colourings as well as some nature identical colours to create a vibrant and appealing product. Each flavour batch is carefully crafted to ensure a consistent and delicious taste throughout the production cycle.

Pouring into Moulds:

The flavoured mixture is poured into silicone moulds in various shapes and sizes. These moulds are designed to create the fun and playful shapes that jelly sweets are known for. The filled moulds are then allowed to cool and set before being packaged and shipped to different destinations around the world.

Follow this link for in-depth look into jelly sweet production!! –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmL3JnBvl_Y

 

 

When we think of marshmallows, we are instantly brought to the image of the pink and white fluffy chunks, perfect for roasting over a campfire that we are familiar with today.

However, the history of these sugary treats goes back a lot further than one might expect. An early ancestor of the marshmallow can be traced back to ancient Egypt, as early as 2,000 BC, over 4,000 years ago.

These ancient sweets were originally produced from the mallow plant, native to Europe and Asia across marshlands – hence the name ‘marshmallows’. Ancient Egyptians extracted the sap from the plant and combined it with nuts and honey to create an extra special exclusive treat, mainly reserved for royalty and the Gods.

Fast-forward to the 1800s and confectioners in France introduced a similar procedure to these early marshmallows, bringing us much closer to a modern-day marshmallow. These small sweet shops whipped the sap from mallow plants into moulds, a time-consuming process that was later refined using starch moulds and gelatin rather than mallow sap.

These gelatin marshmallows are the stable form that we are used to today. As the ease and efficiency of production has developed over the last few decades, we are now seeing marshmallows in increasingly large varieties of colours, shapes, and flavours, including some niche gourmet mallows with complex colours and flavours that simply would not have been possible in the past.

Many people across the world enjoy modern marshmallows, particularly around campfires, where they can be roasted and enjoyed as s’mores or as a popular dessert and ice cream topping.

Here at Sweetzone, we have a range of halal marshmallows in a variety of colours, sizes, and shapes, which have proved to be extremely popular sellers, particularly in the Halal community.

Our range includes our retail share bags like Mighty Mallows, Mallow Twists, Mini Mallows and Fruity Mallows. We also have the 4 colour micro mallows, pink and white mini mallows in bulk.

Sweetzone In The Forecourts Sector

Forecourts have come a long way over the last 25 years. Whereas before you would be lucky to get anything more than a sandwich and a drink at a petrol station , todays forecourts offer a great choice of shopping and food on the go options.

Euro Garages Frontier Park site in Blackburn is one of the most best examples and it’s our first site of choice for lunch or a snack when visiting Blackburn.

With a Greggs, Subway, Krispy Creme, Chaiwala, Sbarro (for pizza lovers) and even an Ambala store for savoury treats and sweets. You can even get yourself some Sweetzone sweets while you’re there!

Euro Garages and Asda Express stock Sweetzone in around 240 sites (and growing) and have some great Sweetzone displays as featured below.

Sweets sell great in forecourts and are a good impulse buy for people on long journeys, people on their way to parties or events, or just people in the local vicinity of the forecourt that just enjoy sweets!

Valli Forecourts

Another innovative and very busy forecourt operator is Valli Forecourts.

Valli forecourts have 16 sites currently based predominantly around the Yorkshire area but also stretching down as far as Birmingham. They should have another 4 sites opening soon.

Valli forecourts have a very unique offer and have extremely high footfall in their sites as a result.

If you are a forecourt operator and would like to meet one of our sales team please reach out and drop us an email.

The origin of Candy Floss can be traced back to 18th-century Europe. Hand-spun molten sugar treats were a delicacy reserved mainly for royalty and high society due to the time and labour-intensive nature of the method.

In 1897, the unlikely pairing of a dentist and a confectioner combined their knowledge to refine this process and create a healthier option to candy apples and other high-sugar treats of the day; the result was ‘Fairy Floss’.  William Morrison and John C Wharton created a machine that could spin sugar into the size and consistency we are familiar with today. They debuted their creation at the 1904 World’s Fair in St Louis, Missouri, introducing the previously rare treat to the public. An instant hit, it has only grown in popularity over the years.

A lot has changed since the invention of that first machine over 120 years ago. In the 21st Century, Candy Floss can be found under various names worldwide, in all the colours, shapes, and flavours that you could dream of. Further advancements in machinery have made this possible, streamlining the production of the treat and making it more efficient and affordable to the masses. Although the manufacturing may have changed, the Candy Floss itself has remained simplistic and authentic to its original character.

 Our Candy Floss

Superior Quality: At Sweetzone, we use only the finest ingredients to produce our candy floss. Combined with a superior manufacturing process, this results in a light and fluffy texture that melts in your mouth.

Variety of Flavours and Colours: We offer a wide range of flavours to suit every palate, from classics such as vanilla, strawberry, blue raspberry, and bubble gum to more adventurous ones such as Sour Apple or Mojito flavour. We also provide every colour imaginable to match the desired flavour. The bright and eye-catching colours make candy floss perfect for large parties, events, carnivals, and fun fairs.

Convenience: Our Candy Floss Conveniently comes in pots and pails, allowing customers to enjoy it at their leisure while retaining freshness. This also allows for better distribution through funfairs and events, allowing consumers to enjoy it for longer.

Our Promise: Sweetzone Candy Floss is made fresh to order, ensuring every batch retains its fluffiness and flavour. We take great care in packaging our candy floss to maintain its freshness until it reaches you.

A Trusted Brand: Sweetzone is a trusted name in the confectionery industry. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned us a loyal following. When you choose Sweetzone, you know you’re getting the best.

 

 

Jelly sweets, also known as gummy candies, have a fascinating history that spans centuries and continents. From their humble beginnings to the popular treats we know today, jelly sweets have undergone significant transformations. In this article, we’ll delve into the rich history of jelly sweets and explore their journey to becoming a beloved confectionery worldwide.

Jelly sweets trace their roots back to the Middle East, where Turkish delight, a jelly-like confection, was first created in the 18th century. Made from starch and sugar, Turkish delight quickly became a favorite treat and spread to Europe, inspiring the creation of similar sweets.

In the late 19th century, European confectioners began experimenting with gelatin to create a more stable jelly sweet. This led to the invention of the gummy bear by German candy maker Hans Riegel in 1922. The name of the Haribo company comes from Hans Riegel of Bonn by taking the first two letters of each of the words to make Haribo.. The gummy bear’s popularity soared, paving the way for various shapes and flavors of gummy candies.

Today, jelly sweets come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and flavors. From fruity gummies to sour candies, there’s a jelly sweet for every taste preference. Advancements in food technology have also allowed for the creation of healthier and vegan-friendly options, catering to diverse dietary needs. he history of jelly sweets is a testament to human creativity and innovation in confectionery. Whether you enjoy classic gummy bears or exotic fruit-flavored gummies, jelly sweets continue to bring joy to people of all ages.

We have one of the widest and most comprehensive ranges of sweets worldwide and there are lots of other sweets we can make. If you are a volume buyer and have some special requirements for certain types of sweets please get in touch.