They're leading the field and the time to put your money on them is now, because success, for even the most successful newcomers, is never guaranteed long term Everyone knows the best selling confectionery lines. They've changed so little over the years, most people could name them in their sleep. However, picking the winners from the large number of extensions, limited editions and new products that have hit the market in the last 12 months is another matter though. With the help of market researcher ACNielsen, we've come up with the 14 new products ­ seven chocolate and seven sugar ­ that have sold the most over the past year (12 Aug 2000 to 14 July 2001). Their best-selling status is based on till data from the multiples, ctns, forecourts and off licences, collected by ACNielsen, and provides indisputable, hard evidence of what has done well, rather than reflecting manufacturers' wishful claims. However, strong initial sales aren't a guarantee that these products are long term best-sellers. Many do well initially because of their novelty appeal and the support put behind them. Sales later find their own level, or even collapse. Only time will tell whether any of these newcomers will become permanent best sellers. In the meantime, capitalise on them while you can. All the names are familiar. In this highly competitive market, it seems only the big brands with a lot of clout have a clear run to the top. CHOCOLATE 1 Mars Big One Rsp 43p/100g Not strictly a new product, but a reshaped version of the immensely popular King Size Mars Bar, a pedigree that's given it automatic entry to the top slot. Launched in December, it's gained sales every month. Best month: April - £1,218,000. Average 4 weekly sales: £884,200. 2 Galaxy Silk Collection, Mars Milk chocolate assortment, rsp £2.99/ 200g and £4.99/400g. Launched in September 2000, sales built momentum to Christmas where they peaked at £3,454,000, repeating their performance at Easter (April: £1,079,000)), prior to the inevitable summer fall-off. Average 4-weekly sales: £797,200. 3 Snickers The Big One, Mars Rsp: 43p/100g Again, not a new product but a reshaped version of the popular King Size countline. Launched in December, sales rapidly climbed to a high of £981,000 in April and have remained steady to July. Average 4-weekly sales: £695,300. 4 Aero White Nestlé Rowntree Rsp: 39p/46g A huge success as a limited edition, this white chocolate extension became a permanent line in xxxx and was an immediate hit with June sales of £651,000. Average 4-weekly sales: £616,500. Media spend at launch: £3/4m. Total Aero brand support this year: £7m. 5 Mars Five Little Ones Rsp: 29p/XX Launched in November, sales rocketed in the first month to £1,107,000 (4 Dec 2000), but have now settled to a steady half of that figure. Average 4-weekly sales: £514,400. 6 Bounty Calapuno, Mars Rsp: £1.79/175g Launched in February, this new boxed chocolate line reached a peak at Easter with sales of £996,000 in April backed by £4m campaign. Average 4-weekly sales: £512,300. 7 Double Decker Bigger Cadbury Trebor Bassett Rsp: 31//65g This 30% bigger version of Double Decker was launched in February with a £800,000 TV campaign. Unlike the others in this list, its sales have climbed every month reaching a peak of £743,000 in July. Average 4-weekly sales:£495,700. SUGAR 1 Airwaves Soothing Action Honey and Lemon Wrigley's Rsp: 32p/10 pellet pack Launched September 2000, sales peaked at £808,000 (2 December) and have since remained steady at the £5k mark this year. Average 4-weekly sales:£597,000. Airwaves brand support this year: £4.7m. 2 Skittles Mint Mars Rsp:29p/45g Launched in March, sales climbed to a high of £476,000 in June backed by £2m TV campaign. Average 4-weekly sales: £326,400. Skittles brand support this year: £4.7m. 3 Extra Cool Breeze Wrigley's Rsp:26p/10 pellet pack Since its May debut, sales have rapidly reached £544,000 in July. Average 4-weekly sales: £327,000. Extra brand support this year: £7.2m 4 Orbit Sweetmint Wrigley's Rsp:26p/10 pellet pack Launched in March, sales have grown steadily to a high of £454,000 in July. Average 4-weekly sales:£286,200. Orbit brand spend this year: £11m. 5 Bassett & Beyond Tropical Babies Cadbury Trebor Bassett Rsp: xxx/xxxx An initial high after the April debut, sales peaked in June at£137,000. Average 4-weekly sales: £93,800. 6 Starburst Tropical Chews Mars Rsp: 27p/45g and 99p/200g Sales have gained steadily since the May launch, topping £131,000 in July. Average 4-weekly sales: £92,300. Starburst brand support: £4.5m TV campaign in May, with further campaigns planned. 7 Skittles Sours Mars Rsp: 29p/55g Another extension launched in May, its best sales were in July at £131,000. Average 4-weekly sales: £84,000. {{FOCUS SPECIALS }}