Sugar confectionery and chewing gum specialist, Perfetti Van Melle, will be showcasing its newest products at the Duty Free Show of the Americas (1329 Cypress Ballroom).

PVM’s primary focus will be the new Mentos Gum Nano Bottles, positioned to be an alternative gift for adults.

The Mentos Gum Gift Pack contains five mini bottles with five different and functional Pure Fresh flavours: Fresh Mint, Spearmint, Euca Menthol, Bubble Fresh and Lime Mint.

Aligning with the current health trend, the gum is sugar free yet does not disappoint on flavour, the company says. ‘With no similar gift item currently on the market for gum in travel retail this innovative product is sure to be a popular confectionery item.’

Also on show will be the Chupa Chups Animal Mega Chups and Mentos Animal Money-Box, both of which continue to demonstrate growth potential in the Americas.

Slightly smaller than the existing Mega Chupa Chups for differentiation, the Animal Mega Chups are fun animal head outers each holding 10 flavoured lollipops. With three different animals to choose from – Giraffe, Rhino and Panda – along with a different coloured stick for each animal, they are ideal gifts for girls or boys. PVM notes that the empty container becomes a collectible ‘hand doll’ to play with or to refill with lollipops.

The Mentos Animal Money-Box is available in four flavours – Strawberry, Lemon, Cola and Orange – presented in an animal piggy bank.

Offered as three animal choices – Lion, Zebra, or Elephant – these chewy sweets are a great gift product for any animal lover or avid saver.

Other recently added lines include the Mentos Pouch Bag – a brightly coloured, premium, resealable pouch bag containing 175g Mentos Dragees in Mint, Fruit and Strawberry mix flavours.

‘It is important to offer the traveller a balanced assortment to meet the different needs of passengers,’ says the company. ‘Immediate and short term needs require a dedicated space at the cash till point and the Mentos Pouch Bag is ideal for snacking and sharing. Mentos and Chupa Chups benefit from high public awareness and desirability and they increase footfall in the shop.’

Susan De Vree, PVM GTR Manager adds, “There is still huge potential to grow the sugar confectionery category in the travel retail sector, particularly in the Americas. In the US, some 40% of confectionery sales is sugar-based and is this is still not generally reflected in the travel retail offer.

“At PVM we will continue to offer innovative, fun and often exclusive lines to travel retail buyers, supported by colourful and attractive merchandising options, to enable them to grow their sugar confectionery offer confidently. We look forward to discussing these initiatives with our existing and new customers in Orlando this March.”