In a unique look encompassing the entire 2023 period, as opposed to a specific 52-week period we often present, Chicago-based research firm Circana data reveals novelty sales were not red hot, but held up adequately compared to the prior year. 

Each box of Mango pops contains two whole mangos and each box of Strawberry pops contains 11 whole strawberries. 

Carvel leads the ice cream/ice milk desserts segment, while Fun Pops tops ice pop sales.

Under the ice cream/sherbet category, ice milk/frozen dairy desserts and sherbet/sorbet/ices are all posting solid growth in both dollars (10% growth) and units (3% gain), IRI data reports. Nestlé saw sales increase a whopping 1,632% to $25 million; Blue Bunny, generated 78% YoY growth to $29 million; and Friendly’s grew its sales to $10 mllion, with a 34% YoY gain.

Bomb Pop, the classic ice pop brand from Le Mars, Iowa-based Wells Enterprises Inc., teamed up with candy brand Nerds to develop the ultimate flavor mash-up: Bomb Pop Nerds.

All three subcategories within the retail frozen novelties category posted dollar and unit sales gains.