Barebells is expanding its Soft Candy line with Cherry Kicks, a chewy treat that turns a sneaker shape into a more playful low-sugar snack. The candy combines a foam-like white sole with a cherry jelly upper and a sour finish, giving each piece a mix of textures instead of a standard fruit chew.
Soft Candy entered the US with more familiar forms such as Peach Rings and Sour Cola, so Cherry Kicks pushes the line toward a more novelty-driven look. It still keeps the range at 1 g of sugar and 100 calories per bag, which lets shoppers try a more character-driven candy without leaving the lighter snack lane.
For shoppers, this means low-sugar candy can compete on personality and texture, not just on trimming sugar. A bag like this gives the aisle a more eye-catching option for people who want a sweet snack with a novelty twist.
Image Credit: Barebells
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Novelty-shaped Better-for-you Candy
- Playful product forms are helping low-sugar sweets stand out by pairing nutritional restraint with collectible, visually expressive snack experiences.
- Textured Confectionery Experiences
- Layered foam, jelly, and sour finishes create sensory variety that differentiates candies beyond flavor alone in crowded snack aisles.
- Lifestyle-inspired Snack Design
- Fashion and pop-culture cues in candy formats give brands new ways to connect with consumers seeking personality-driven treats.
Sectors Adopting This
- Confectionery
- Reduced-sugar formulations combined with bolder shapes and textures expand how candy brands can compete without relying solely on indulgence.
- Better-for-you Snacks
- Novel formats make lighter snacks feel more expressive and fun, broadening appeal among consumers who still want permissible treats.
- Retail Grocery
- Eye-catching candy designs create stronger shelf disruption in checkout and snack aisles where impulse purchases depend on quick visual appeal.
