At Cottage Country, every product in our collection is selected to meet consumer demand and maximize sales for our retail partners. 

But how do we choose which products make the cut?

Our product sourcing philosophy is a careful balance of many factors. Before you ever see a product on store shelves or arriving at your doorstep, it’s been thoughtfully evaluated by our team.

This post takes you behind the scenes of how we choose new products and continue offering the best candies, nuts, and trail mixes to customers and retailers across Canada.

Our Experience

Cottage Country is owned and operated by the Scholtens family. We’ve been distributing candies for decades, all the way back to 1910. Beginning in our family’s homeland of Holland, we brought our tradition to Canada in 1958. Over generations, we’ve learned the art of what customers look for, what products stand the test of time, and how to balance tradition with changing tastes. 

Today, we source our products from reputable producers across Canada, the United States, and Europe. This allows us to offer sought-after products while delivering value to consumers and retail partners. 

Let’s take a closer look at how we build and adapt our product collection.

How Do We Decide What Products to Sell?

Managing a vast collection of candies, nuts, and trail mixes comes down to balance. 

Our products are selected to appeal to different ages and preferences while maintaining a mix of sweet, sour, and savoury options.

We consider both what new products to introduce and what should remain in our lineup.

Here are some of the key factors that guide our decisions.

Customer Demand

Demand is one of the most important factors. We look at what people are asking for, both online and in-store, while also considering broader trends.

When evaluating demand, we also assess whether the product fills a market gap. Cottage Country offers many candies that are not widely available elsewhere. Offering unique products helps us stand out and deliver value. 

Finally, we evaluate how a product is likely to perform over time. We prioritize items that will sell consistently and support long-term stability for our retail partners.

Nostalgia

Many people associate Cottage Country with nostalgic candy, and for good reason.

Whether your childhood favourite was Gum Wheelies, Marshmallow Bananas, or Peach Slices, we aim to keep these classic treats easy to find. Being a dedicated provider of nostalgic candies helps us keep those memories alive and offer products customers love.

Novelty

While nostalgic candy is a key part of our lineup, so is novelty. We’re always looking for new, unique, or trending products to introduce, like freeze-dried candies.

This often includes seasonal features alongside the classics, such as Halloween Jubes in addition to Candy Corn. 

Throughout the year, we also look for “new classics” that can fit naturally into our lineup and perform well long-term. Events like the Sweets & Snacks Expo are a great opportunity for us to learn about industry trends and new tastes.

Quality & Consistency

Our products have to do more than just taste good.

As a nationwide and e-commerce distributor, we look for products that deliver a consistent experience throughout the entire distribution channel. The taste, texture, and overall product experience must be the same for every customer. 

We take care in our own processes as well. For example, our cotton candy is made in-house and carefully packaged to ensure it stays light and fresh on its journey, potentially thousands of kilometres away from where it was made in Burlington, Ontario. 

We also work with suppliers who maintain reliable manufacturing practices and consistent supply, allowing us to offer products with confidence over time. In some cases, we may adjust suppliers to meet our standards for quality, cost, and reliability.

Balance

Cottage Country is about more than just candy! 

We also offer nuts and trail mixes, offering something savoury to complement our sweet lineup. 

We aim to maintain a balanced assortment across categories, including gummies, hard candies, marshmallow treats, chocolate, and more. We also offer No Sugar Added, Halal, Kosher, and more products, so that a wide range of customers can enjoy our products. 

Format is another consideration in balancing our lineup. From grab-and-go to bulk options, we strive to meet the needs of both everyday customers and retail partners. 

Pricing & Value

Part of running a business is also the financial side. New products have to make financial sense in order to be considered. By securing strong pricing, we are able to keep our pricing steady while offering value to customers through programs such as multi-buy, retail store programs, etc.

How Do You Adapt Your Lineup to Stay Exciting?

We’re always on the lookout for new flavours and products to consider. Throughout the year, our team is busy sourcing exciting new products, especially for seasonal occasions.

Whether it’s a nostalgic Easter favourite, Candy Corn for fall, or festive Christmas treats, we adapt our lineup to reflect the time of year. 

By balancing nostalgic staples with new and seasonal products, we aim to keep our assortment fresh and reflective of consumer tastes.

Your Go-To Source for Candy in Canada

There is a lot that goes into selecting products for our collection, balancing demand, nostalgia, novelty, quality, and more. 

We’re always adapting our lineup to serve customers and retail partners best. 

If you’re looking to bring a curated mix of products to your stores, explore our retail programs or browse our full selection to see what makes Cottage Country a trusted choice of Canadians for decades.