Nantong Litai Jianlong Food Co., Ltd.

Company Introduction

We are the first freeze-dried candy manufacturer in China.

Founded in 2003 by Ms. Wu Minli, Nantong Litai Jianlong Food Co., Ltd. started from a lifelong passion for confectionery. With the vision to bring sweetness to every home, we have been committed to creating delicious, joyful confections for customers around the world.

Map showing countries and regions served by Nantong Litai Jianlong Food Co., Ltd.

Our Mission

To craft high-quality, delightful confections that make every moment sweeter.

Our Core Values

We uphold quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We use only the finest sustainably sourced ingredients, and produce every product with care and dedication.

Our Products & Strengths

Specialized in freeze-dried candies, alcohol-filled jelly-shots, gummies, jelly products and more
Provide OEM & ODM one-stop services
Export to over 30 countries and regions worldwide

Our signature products including Mini Crush Freeze Dry Candies represent our pursuit of excellence.

We are inspired by our customers’ smiles, and proud to be part of your celebrations and daily life.

Hard Candy Market and Trends for Convenience Stores

The hard candy sector remains a vibrant and essential category within convenience store retailing, combining nostalgia with innovation to capture a broad demographic. Convenience stores are a pivotal channel for impulse purchases of confectionery, and hard candies, with their long shelf life and portability, are ideally suited to this environment.

Recent consumer trends reflect an increasing demand for unique flavors, healthier options, and innovative formats that elevate the traditional candy experience. This includes the introduction of freeze-dried candies — such as those pioneered by Nantong Litai Jianlong Food — which provide intense flavor bursts combined with an appealing crunchy texture not commonly found in standard hard candy products.

Furthermore, the convenience store channel offers immediate accessibility, making it a powerful platform for new product launches and trial among diverse consumer groups. The hard candy category enjoys a resurgence owing to:

Consumer desire for portion-controlled treats and nostalgic comfort snacks.
Product innovation such as spicy, fruit-infused, or alcohol-filled jelly shot candies attracting adventurous palates.
Packaging innovations emphasizing grab-and-go convenience, sustainability, and freshness preservation.

Technological Advances and Innovation in Hard Candy Production

Freeze-drying technology, a game-changer in confectionery manufacturing, enables the production of candies that maintain rich, authentic fruit flavors without added moisture, thus enhancing shelf life and consumer enjoyment. Nantong Litai Jianlong Food Co., Ltd. has been a pioneer in bringing this technology to the Chinese market since 2003, combining traditional candy-making with modern freeze-drying techniques.

This technology also reduces sugar requirements and allows combinations impossible in traditional candy forms, such as crunchy pizza-flavored freeze-dried candies or spicy fruit blends. Additionally, the precision offered by freeze-drying enables consistent texture and flavor profiles catering to the health-conscious and gourmet consumers alike.

Deeper Applications and Emerging Usage Scenarios

Beyond impulse buys in convenience stores, hard candies—and especially freeze-dried varieties—are increasingly finding roles in other consumer touchpoints and industrial uses:

Specialty gift packs and seasonal promotions: Limited-edition flavor sets targeting holidays and events enhance brand engagement through exclusivity and collectibility.
Pharmaceutical and wellness sectors: Incorporation of functional ingredients such as vitamins, herbal extracts, or natural sweeteners turn candies into convenient, enjoyable supplements.
Event and experiential marketing: Custom-branded candies used as giveaways or branded gifts, combining delightful flavors with memorable packaging.
Food service and hospitality: Miniature hard candies served with coffee, at receptions, or hotels to reinforce guest experience through thoughtful detail.

Such sprawling applications highlight the versatility of hard candies in both retail and broader consumer engagement contexts.

Growth Opportunities for Convenience Store Hard Candy Sales

Convenience stores can leverage multiple growth levers to boost hard candy sales, capitalizing on evolving consumer preferences and retail trends such as:

Curated mini assortments: Offering limited, themed variety packs to encourage multiple purchases and gift-giving.
Interactive digital marketing: QR codes linking to flavor origins, brand stories, or gamified promotions help connect with younger demographic groups.
Focus on clean-label and natural ingredients: Prominently displayed ingredient transparency appeals to health-aware buyers.
Cross-promo with beverages or seasonal products: Bundling hard candies with complementary items can increase average basket size.

By embracing these tactics, convenience stores can not only sustain but expand the hard candy category, delighting consumers with new experiences and familiar favorites alike.