They are small, come in a wide range of flavours and can be stored in a characteristic dispenser that fits inside the smallest pocket. What are we talking about? PEZ, what else? - the cult products for both young and old that took Austria by storm just under 100 years ago and later the whole world.
It's Christmas. Sara und Max, in the meantime also known as the Chocolate Siblings, have made themselves comfortable in their living room at home. The smell of cinnamon and baked apples is in the air, while plates with cookies and chocolate invite snacking. Chocolate is their favourite sweet of all. If only it didn't have such an impact on the environment – especially the manufacture of chocolate results in an enormous amount of CO₂.
Cologne will become the "sweetest" city in the world from 2 to 5 February 2025: The Sweet Week will bring the global sweets and snacks industry together in one location. This unique synergy between ISM and ProSweets Cologne creates a platform that extends far beyond a classic trade fair. With innovative event formats, practice-oriented and inspiring knowledge transfer and countless networking opportunities, the Sweet Week will also set new benchmarks in the year 2025 and holds highlights in store for you that you shouldn't miss!
Robert Kronekker, start-up expert and founder of Hafervoll, shares his experiences and insights into the world of start-ups, as well as the significance of ISM 2025 for young businesses.
ISM 2024 already demonstrated it: The international sweets industry was also characterised by numerous trends and innovations this year. From sustainable, to health-conscious, through to creative - here is an overview of the most exciting new products and trendiest sweets of 2024.
Get ready for an exciting ISM 2025! The world's largest trade fair for sweets and snacks is being staged in Cologne from 2 to 5 February 2025.
The digitalisation has fundamentally changed the sweets industry and opens up manifold opportunities for more efficiency and innovation. From the sweets production and sales, through to the customer experience, digital technologies are creating new perspectives. Below we examine the role of the digitalisation within the sweets industry and present innovative approaches and best cases.
Climate change and increasing prices are facing the cocoa industry with major challenges. From the cultivation and sustainable production, through to new regulations - discover how manufacturers are encountering the growing expectations of the consumers and securing the future of chocolate with innovative strategies.
Whether next to the checkout or in view on the coveted sweets shelves – it has always been a tough battle between the sweets manufacturers to get the best places in the supermarket. More recently in addition to the established brands, viral sweet trends have additionally been forcing their ways into the stores via the social media. However, the space on the shelves remains limited. So, it is high time that the sweets companies look further than the stationary supermarket shelves and start addressing the customers directly. You can find out below why it is worth selling sweets directly and which marketing options brands can implement to support direct selling.
Philip Hitschler-Becker, CEO of Hitschler International, is redefining the sweets market as a corporate influencer. By blending tradition with a fresh social media approach, he shows how authentic storytelling and personal branding can connect with a younger audience and breathe new life into a classic brand. Here’s how he does it.
Imagine walking into a supermarket. The shelves are packed with colourful packaging, and the choices seem endless. But what determines which product ends up in your shopping cart today?
When waste becomes a delicacy then Confiserie Vandenbulcke from Belgium has shown its mettle. Their "Cabosse" chocolate not only tastes great, but is also produced and packaged in an environmentally friendly way. Just one reason of many why they were the winners of the New Product Showcase at ISM 2022.
