Limited edition candy

Limited Edition (LE) candy is specialized candy manufactured for a limited time period, typically eight to twelve weeks.^[1] Limited-edition as a candy marketing strategy was first used in 1994; by August 2000, more than 60 limited-edition candy varieties had been marketed.^[2]

Hershey's Dark Kisses (released as limited-edition in July 2003),^[1] Kit Kat White Chocolate,^[2] and Reese's White Chocolate^[2] were eventually made permanent due to customer demand.

LE candy are often used for cross-promotion with films.^[1]

Some believe that LE candy merely builds upon base brand sales;^[1] others believe in the long-run that they "cannibalize base brand sales."^[2]

Some vendors, notably Six Flags, are reluctant to carry LE candy, preferring "proven sellers."^[2]

Examples

LE brand Base brand Release date IceBreakers Hot Cinnamon Limited Edition Tin Hershey July 1994 Kit Kat Dark Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey July 1995 Altoids Cinnamon Limited Edition Wrigley July 1996 Reese's Dark Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey July 1997 Pay Day Honey Roasted Limited Edition Hershey September 1995 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Honey Roasted Limited Edition Hershey September 1996 Kit Kat White Chocolate Limited Edition, Cat in the Hat Hershey November 2003 Snickers Limited Edition Canister MasterFoods December 2003 Kit Kat Mint Limited Edition Hershey January 2004 Kit Kat Orange Limited Edition Hershey January 2004 Altoids Limited Edition Tin Curious George Wrigley January 2004 Cookies 'n' Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey March 2004 Cookies 'n' Mint Limited Edition Hershey March 2004 Reese's BIG CUP Peanut Butter Cup Limited Edition Hershey April 2004 Air Heads Xtremes 3 roll Variety Pack-Limited Perfetti Van April 2004 Almond Joy Piña Colada Limited Edition Hershey June 2004 TicTac Big Box Limited Edition Lemon Ferrero USA July 2004 TicTac Big Box Limited Edition Lime Ferrero USA July 2004 TicTac Big Box Limited Edition Orange Ferrero USA July 2004 Kit Kat Triple Chocolate! Limited Edition Hershey July 2004 Kit Kat White Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey July 2004 York Chocolate Truffle Mint Pattie Limited Edition Hershey July 2004 Ring Pop Limited Edition Bazooka Bubble Gum Topps Company July 2004 Ring Pop Limited Edition Cotton Candy Topps Company July 2004 Almond Joy Chocolate Chocolate Hershey July 2004 Kit Kat Inside Out Limited Edition Hershey August 2004 Reese's Big Cup King Size Limited Edition Hershey August 2004 Reese's Big Cup White Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey August 2004 Reese's Inside Out Limited Edition Hershey August 2004 S'Mores King Size Limited Edition Hershey August 2004 Nestle Crunch with Peanut Butter Limited Edition Nestle August 2004 Air Heads Popping Candy Dip Limited Time Perfetti Van August 2004 Hershey's Double Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey September 2004 Reese's PBC Extra Smooth & Creamy Limited Edition Hershey September 2004 Swoops Peppermint Limited Edition Hershey October 2004 Tootsie Roll Vanilla Flavored Midgees Limited Edition Tootsie Roll October 2004 Hershey Cookies 'n' Creme Limited Edition Hershey November 2004 Hershey's Nut Lovers Limited Edition Hershey November 2004 Hershey's White Choc w Almond Chunks Limited Edition Hershey November 2004 Reese's Pieces Peanuts & Peanut Butter Limited Edition Hershey November 2004 Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Limited Edition Lindt & Sprungli November 2004 Hershey's Nut Lovers Limited Edition Hershey December 2004 Reese's White Chocolate PB Cups King Size Limited Edition Hershey January 2005 Reese's Fudge Peanut Butter Cups Limited Edition Hershey February 2005 Reese's Peanut Butter Lovers Limited Edition Hershey March 2005 Reese's Chocolate Lovers Limited Edition Hershey March 2005 POP'ables Almonds Limited Edition MasterFoods March 2005 POP'ables Chocolate Crisps Limited Edition MasterFoods March 2005 Ring Pop Limited Edition Cotton Candy Bubble Gum Topps Company March 2005 Twix Dark Chocolate Limited Edition MasterFoods March 2005 Creme Savers Tropicals Limited Edition Kraft April 2005 Hershey's Special Dark with Almonds Swoops Limited Edition Hershey April 2005 Crunch Dark Nestle May 2005 Finding Nemo Fruit Snacks Kellog's June 2005 Take 5 White Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey June 2005 Hershey's Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate & Heath Hershey July 2005 TwoSomes: LE Hershey's Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate & Reese's Hershey July 2005 Mini Pieces TwoSomes LE: Hershey's Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate & Whoppers Hershey July 2005 TwoSomes LE: Almond Joy Passion Fruit Milk Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey July 2005 Almond Joy Key Lime White Chocolate Limited Edition Hershey July 2005 Kit Kat Extra Creamy Hershey July 2005 Reese's Big Cup with Nuts Hershey July 2005

References

1. Kirsche, Michelle L. 2005, April 11. "LE candy provides short—but sweet—sales boosts." Drug Store News.
2. Jim Echeandia. 2005, August. "Limited editions add interest, sales: does limited edition candy have unlimited potential? The jury is still out, but so far, so good." Business and Industry Confectioner. Vol. 90 No. 6. p. 33.

External links

• Limited Edition at Candy Blog