Hancocks Wholesale Sweets & Confectionery

Hancocks, British confectionery wholesaler since 1962

Hancocks is a bulk sweets and confectionery wholesaler based in the UK. The company was founded in 1962 by Ray and Liz Hancock, who ran a sweet shop in Shepshed, near Loughborough. After filling their shop with as much stock as they could, they began their journey as confectionery wholesalers. The company grew rapidly: it expanded its premises three times and opened a second cash and carry before 1970. Today, it presents itself as the UK's largest confectionery wholesaler.

Product catalogue

Hancocks' range covers pick n mix sweets, all kinds of chocolate, major brands and seasonal stock for key calendar dates such as Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Available categories include sweets, mints & gum; chocolate; international candy and snacks; drinks; and accessories. The offering includes products such as sweets, mints & gum, freeze dried sweets, peelable sweets, novelty sweets, price marked packs, lollipops, jelly sweets, fizzy sweets, boiled sweets & hard candy, sour sweets, food themed sweets, sweet tubs, toffee & fudge, liquorice sweets, gobstoppers, candy floss, flying saucers, bubblegum, chewing gum, mints, medicated sweets and sweets classified by colour. In chocolate, there are multipacks, singles, boxes, share bags, blocks, price-marked packs and chocolate coins. The international section includes American candy and snacks, Swedish sweets, chocolate and snacks, and Japanese chocolate, snacks and sweets. There is also a range of drinks comprising slush syrups, fizzy drinks, milkshakes, protein drinks, juice, energy drinks, hydration and vitamin drinks, bottled water, ice poles and CBD infused drinks. Snacks include nuts, dried fruit and snack bars, popcorn, crisps and biscuits. The seasonal and events category covers Halloween, Christmas, Father's Day, baby shower, weddings, parties, candy buffet, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter, with specific brochures for Halloween and Christmas. Accessories include milkshake accessories, slush accessories, jars and bags, pick n mix accessories, ice cream sauces and toppings, cones and tubs, baking toppings, sauces, syrups and spreads, and toys.

Brands and featured products

Hancocks works with popular brands such as Haribo, Barratt, Swizzels, Cadbury, Lindt, Kingsway, among others. The company highlights its own Kingsway brand within the pick n mix range. The catalogue also includes brands such as Anthon Berg, known for its chocolate liqueurs, and seasonal products such as those from The Traitors. The website shows promotions such as the Knockout Novelty Deal, which offers a saving of 50p per unit when buying ten or more qualifying lines from Crazy Candy Factory, Kidsmania and Sweet Bandit. The arrival of Anthon Berg for the Christmas season is also announced.

Customers and types of business served

The company supplies a wide variety of independent businesses: specialist sweet shops, convenience stores, leisure vendors, event organisers, pick n mix repackers and many others. Its stated mission since 1962 is to supply businesses with the wholesale confectionery they need to satisfy their customers. Hancocks presents itself as one of the UK's largest wholesale confectionery suppliers and states that it supports independent businesses of all kinds.

Dietary requirements and options

The range includes products for various dietary needs: vegan sweets and chocolate, vegetarian options, halal sweets, products with no added colours or flavours, and numerous sugar-free and gluten-free lines. Gelatine-free, dairy-free, healthier, eco-conscious and fairtrade and sustainable chocolate options are also offered. The company also markets packaging that allows bulk sweets to be repacked into customised presentations.

Ways to buy and store network

Hancocks offers multiple ways to buy. Online wholesale confectionery shopping allows bulk products to be purchased with free and fast delivery services. The company also has 13 wholesale stores across the UK that offer a modernised cash and carry experience, with in-store specials and experts in every location. According to the website, free Click & Collect is offered from all 13 stores and free standard delivery.

Editorial content and retailer resources

The site includes a news and advice section with articles aimed at retailers, such as analysis of why Swedish sweets stand out, why you should sell peelable sweets, and what the best new products for Halloween 2026 are. Ideas for creating Halloween kits or sweet cones are also published, and seasonal brochures are promoted. The company presents itself as a confectionery expert since 1962 and states that it offers returns of up to 77%.