Article: Jelly bean balancing act: as private label jelly beans squeeze space from branded suppliers, the sector undergoes transformation.(Special Report)

THERE'S A CHANGE in climate in the jelly bean sector. The shift from a commodity- to a branded- to a private label-driven market is leaving some suppliers wondering. Some retailers are embracing private label beans and overseas suppliers are doing well, according to PROFESSIONAL CANDY BUYER sources.

Some describe the sector in three tiers: "super premium" gourmet jelly beans such as Jelly Belly Candy Co., Inc. Jelly Belly beans; "premium" branded beans such as Masterfoods USA's Starburst jelly beans; and low-priced "commodity" beans.

"The middle tier is growing because consumers are willing to pay $1.69 to $2.29 for 14-ounce bags of branded beans," says ...

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