Mondoux Confectionery is syncing up with Lg2 to expand its Sweet Sixteen candy footprint in Ontario.

Mondoux is a Laval-based, family-run packager and distributor of candies and chocolates. Between its own five house brands and iconic candies like Nerds, Rockets and Tootsie Rolls, it already serves more than 20,000 retail outlets in Canada.

“As our company experiences growth in all of our key regions, we felt that it was imperative to expand more meaningfully into Ontario as soon as possible to take advantage of the upward trends of the core products that we sell,” says Stéphanie Léger, sales and marketing director at Mondoux Confectionery.

Sweet Sixteen is a mix of “classic” gummy candies, such as sour keys, gummy fruit and gummy coke bottles. Previous messaging has leaned into nostalgia and the fact that the candies are somewhat synonymous with drive-in movies, sleepovers and afternoons at camp.

Shelly-Ann Scott, VP of client services at Lg2, says that as a brand, Sweet Sixteen evokes a joyful recognition and that it’s a category that allows for a lot of creative expression.

Léger tells strategy that at this point, the team up does not include point of sale assets for local retailers. Mondoux, she says, intends to increase its brand presence with the help of Lg2, while in parallel developing its direct store delivery (DSD) network with Ontario Convenience & Gas retailers. This is part of a goal to reach 25- to 40-year-olds who make key grocery household purchase decisions.

“All major grocery retailers in Ontario are being targeted,” Léger says. “We are already present in many major Ontario retailers, but we would like to expand our reach into smaller and independent retailers too.”

Halloween, is of course big business for Mondoux, whose portfolio also includes seasonal favorites like Gobstoppers, Double Bubble and Big League Chew.

A survey by the Retail Council of Canada/Caddle of about 9,500 Canadians reveals that 86% of respondents will spend the same or more on Halloween this year compared with last year, with many having made purchases already.

Consumers also appear bullish about spending on the latest trendy new costume or to stock up on sugary treats, with 54% of Canadians celebrating Halloween planning to spend more than $50.