According to Panda Fluff, the UK’s fastest growing candy floss vending machine brand, there has been a sharp, noticeable shift in the candy floss market this year.
Nostalgic consumers, product innovation, customisation, and leaps forward in candy floss making technology are all driving the surge in interest – 120 years after the sweet treat first made an appearance at the 1904 World’s Fair.
Recent reports indicate that the global candy floss market will be worth £2.46 billion by 2032. Panda Fluff itself has expanded very quickly, securing 30 sites in under 12 months, including in Haven Holidays, Moto Services and numerous theme parks and destination shopping centres
Panda Fluff founder and entrepreneur, Kelly Poon, is not surprised that candy floss is back under the spotlight.
“For decades, candy floss was something that you could only get at the fair or circus, and there was no product development. It got a bit lost as an increasing variety of innovative snacks and treats became available to us.
“However, new tech has taken it to a completely different place. We now have AI powered machines that can create countless designs, colours and styles – within seconds. There are many more flavours now. The technology has also removed the need to manually spin the candy floss, which means it can be sold almost anywhere and is becoming far more accessible.”
Poon explains that the nostalgic food trend is helping candy floss growth here in the UK, with the treat appealing to a wide range of ages.
“When I founded Panda Fluff, I assumed that we would only have children using the machines, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. People of all ages queue up to buy the candy floss, from young children to grandparents. They love watching it being made and the smell. It brings back childhood memories. We’ve had some tough times in the UK recently, and I think candy floss is a welcome, comforting break from that stress.”
Poon also believes that health awareness has played a part in the renewed interest in candy floss.
“Obviously, it is sweet and should be eaten in moderation but it is one of the most natural, least processed treats out there. Our candy floss, for example, contains filtered water and natural sugars – nothing else. Each stick of candy floss comes in at 116 calories and contains zero fat. It feels like an indulgent, special treat, but is nowhere near as unhealthy as many other options.”
Panda Fluff was founded by Poon in 2023, when her daughter asked for a special after-school treat. She wanted candy floss but Kelly didn’t want to settle for something in a packet. She wanted to get her the real deal. Proper candy floss on a stick. So, she designed her own high-spec candy floss vending machine with a factory partner. Since then, the brand has grown rapidly with 30 sites secured in under 12 months.
For more information on Panda Fluff, visit pandafluff.com.
