As America’s No. 1 Candy Cane brand¹, Brach’s shares new consumer insights on one of the holiday season’s most beloved traditions while introducing new ways to enjoy its iconic candy cane portfolio

KEY POINTS:

• Brach’s®, the #1 seasonal sugar candy brand², is introducing Peppermint Candy Cane Ropes, a soft and chewy twist on the iconic Brach’s Candy Cane, while Fun Dip® is launching a two-in-one pack candy cane dipping experience. Both offer a fresh take on one of the holiday season’s most iconic treats.
• NERDS® is launching Blizzard Punch Juicy Gummy Clusters candy, its first seasonal NERDS Juicy Gummy Clusters candy flavor, featuring a fruity flavor profile and a cool, blizzard-inspired mix of blue and white.
• Brach’s 2026 Candy Cane Report spotlights insights into one of the leading holiday treats. Almost 50% of shoppers purchase candy canes³, and Brach’s sells approximately 255 million candy canes every year¹ – if placed end to end, they would stretch roughly 2,000 miles short of a trip around the world⁴.

CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This holiday season, Brach’s®, is helping consumers celebrate the holidays with the candy cane flavors and traditions they know and love, while introducing new ways to bring joy to the season. Alongside the release of its 2026 Candy Cane Report, which explores how consumers shop for and enjoy one of the holiday season’s most iconic treats, Brach’s is expanding its holiday portfolio with Peppermint Candy Cane Ropes, a soft and chewy take on its classic candy cane. Fun Dip® and NERDS® are also bringing new ways to celebrate with inventive spins on classic candy favorites.

Deck the Halls with New Holiday Favorites
As holiday shoppers seek both familiar traditions and fresh ways to celebrate, the new innovations are sure to make seasonal moments even sweeter.

• For generations, Brach’s, America’s No. 1 seasonal candy brand², has been a centerpiece of holiday celebrations, with candy canes remaining of the season’s most popular treats. Building on that heritage, Brach’s is introducing Peppermint Candy Cane Ropes, a chewy peppermint confection inspired by the classic Brach’s Candy Cane. The new format offers consumers another way to enjoy the iconic flavor while maintaining the traditions that have made Brach’s the category leader.
• A nostalgic favorite, Fun Dip is adding a seasonal twist to its signature candy experience, pairing cherry and green apple candy canes with its iconic sour wonderous watermelon and strawberrylicious dipping powder. The two-in-one pack combines traditional Fun Dip pouches with candy canes for a festive sweet-and-sour treat.
• Known for “unleashing the senses” in every bite, NERDS has become a go-to treat for celebrations year-round, including throughout the holiday season. This year, the brand is bringing festive fun to store shelves with NERDS Blizzard Punch Juicy Gummy Clusters candy, featuring a chewy, strawberry gummy center surrounded by crunchy, cool, blizzard-themed NERDS candies.

“Our candies, like Brach’s, NERDS and more are such an essential part of the holiday experience. They’re woven into so many family traditions and tied to countless memories across generations,” said Matt Escalante, Vice President of Seasonal Brands at Ferrara. “Each year, we look forward to adding to the festivities and joy by introducing new ways for people to celebrate the holidays, while also bringing back the nostalgic flavors that make the season feel even more special.”

Alongside the new product launches, Brach’s is sharing new insights into how consumers celebrate with candy canes through the release of the Brach’s 2026 Candy Cane Report.

Brach’s 2026 Candy Cane Report
With candy being a seasonal staple, findings show that holiday candy shopping begins earlier than many consumers may realize. Nearly three-quarters of shoppers (73%) begin shopping for holiday candy in October or November, while 27% wait until December ³. Additionally, more than half of shoppers (54%) buy candy two to three times during the season¹.

Even with countless flavors and varieties of holiday candy on shelves, the enduring love of candy canes prevails. In fact, nearly half of shoppers purchase candy canes, making them one of the season’s most popular treats ³.

Candy Cane Fast Facts

• More than 750 million candy canes are sold annually¹ – or about the weight of 70,000+ reindeer⁵!
• Brach’s sells approximately 255 million candy canes every year¹ – if placed end to end, they would stretch roughly 2,000 miles short of a trip around the world⁴.
• Nearly 80% of candy cane sales happen in December alone¹.
• When asked about types of candy canes purchased, 68% of shoppers choose classic mint and 47% selected sweet, fruity flavors³.

For seasonal inspiration or to learn more about the Brach’s holiday portfolio, visit Brachs.com or follow @BrachsCandy on Instagram and TikTok. For more information about Ferrara and its portfolio of brands, visit www.ferrarausa.com.  

1 – Circana Market Advantage Total US MULO+C XMAS 2025 8WE 12.28.25

2 – #1 Conversation Heart Brand – Circana Market Advantage Total US MULO+C: Valentine’s Day Season 8 Weeks WE 2.15.26; #1 Seasonal Easter Jelly Bean Brand – Circana Market Advantage Total US MULO+C: Easter Season 7 Weeks WE 4.5.26; #1 Candy Corn Brand – CIRCANA SCAN DATA, MULO+C HWN 14 Weeks W/E 11.2.25; #1 Candy Cane Brand – CIRCANA Market Advantage Total US MULO+C: 8 WE 12.28.25

3 – Brach’s 2026 Candy Cane Report Methodology: Conducted online by MMR Research Associates, Inc. on behalf of Ferrara in December 2025 with a sample of 2,000 US residents ages 18-70 who had purchased seasonal sugar candy in the past month. The maximum margin of sampling error is approximately +/- 2 percentage points at the 90% confidence level. Use of words “Americans, shoppers, consumers” refers to the 2,000 Americans screened into this survey for purchasing seasonal sugar candy in the past month.

4 – Brach’s sold 7,261,275 LBS of candy canes in 2025. When translated to miles, the number of candy canes sold is just 2,000 miles shy of a trip around the world, assuming a trip around earth is 24,901 miles.

5- 21,187,370 lbs. of candy canes sold in 2025 (Circana Market Advantage, Total U.S. MULO+C, 8 WE 12/28/25). At 300 lbs. per reindeer, that’s equivalent to 70,624 reindeer.

About Brach’s^® Candy
For more than 120 years, Brach’s^® Candy has been loved for trusted, quality sugar confections that are known for making moments sweeter. Today, Brach’s is America’s candy cane leader¹ and the #1 seasonal sugar candy brand.¹ The portfolio leads with iconic product forms, including Candy Corn, Conversation Hearts, Candy Canes and Easter Jelly Beans. Each of Brach’s product offerings come in a variety of shapes, textures, and flavors made for all seasonal festivities. Brach’s inspires connection and celebration with its classic candy treats and innovations, perfect for snacking, decorating, baking, gifting, and so much more. To learn more about Brach’s, visit brachs.com, or follow along on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinteest. 

About Ferrara^®
For nearly 120 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is a leading sugar confectioner in the United States, Brazil, and Europe, with global sales in more than 60 countries. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of more than 9,400 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 40+ popular brands. Brach’s^®, Jelly Belly^®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS^®, Laffy Taffy^®, and Trolli^® are enjoyed by more than 91 million U.S. households annually. In Brazil, popular snacking products from Dori include brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100. Iconic candy and chocolate brands of Carambar & Co. have earned generations of loyal customers throughout Europe, including Carambar, Krema, and Terry’s. Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. The company has its global headquarters in Chicago and more than 30 facilities across the world. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero-affiliated company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara.

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SOURCE Ferrara