Halls accounts for more than 50% of international cough drop sales, and is the leading sugar confectionery brand in the world with 2% of the market. Halls is also the clear leader of the medicated confectionery market with 22%. The mentholated products offer a refreshing menthol taste and vapor action that provides nasal and throat relief.
In the northern hemisphere, Halls is sold as a cold relief product and has licensed medicated status in markets such as the US, the UK and Canada. In hotter and drier countries however, Halls is bought for mouth refreshment.
Halls is the undisputed leader of the cough drop category and is dedicated to expanding the category and reinforcing leadership through quality products, strong distribution, innovation, and advertising.
Innovation has brought an expansion of the original Halls Mentho-Lyptus range. Halls Plus, the only cough drop in the US with a soothing syrup centre, was introduced in 1990. This was followed by Sugar Free Halls in 1994 and Halls Defense, a Vitamin C supplement drop, in 1999. In 2002, Halls Breezers were launched as non-mentholated pectin cough drops to provide a great tasting alternative to mentholated products. Halls Max, launched in 2004, provides strong relief for sore throat pain. New in 2006 are Halls Bursts - a portable drop that offers soothing relief on-the-go. Also in 2006, Halls US launched Halls Max Cough with 8-hour maximum cough relief, and Halls Sugar Free Kiwi-Apple, building on exotic fruit flavour trends. More recent international innovation has brought the launch of Halls' first sugar-free gum, Shotgum, as well as Soothers and Frutables, liquid-centre soothing confectionery with real fruit juice.
The Hall Brothers started the Halls business in 1893 originally to produce soap and jams. Shortly after, they began to produce confectioneries such as chocolate limes, humbugs and caramels. In the 1930s Halls invented its Mentho-Lyptus formula, using a combination of menthol and eucalyptus, and began producing its popular cough drops. The cough drops were introduced into the US during the mid-1950s. Warner-Lambert recognised the potential of the product and acquired Halls in 1964. In 1971, the American Chicle sales force, part of Warner Lambert, began selling Halls under the Adams family, and the first national television campaign was aired. The results were a resounding success.
Quick Facts
Halls produced the largest sweet in the world in 1964. Weighing 1.5cwt or 76kilos, it had to be made in two pieces that were then bonded together. The wrapper was hand painted and cost £100. The sweet was put on exhibition in New York.
Halls products are offered in over 26 flavours: Apple Surge, Blackcurrant, Blueberry, Cherry, Cool Berry, Cool Citrus, Extra-Strong Spearmint, Fresh Lime, Fresh Mint, Ginger, Grapefruit, Green Grape, Honey-Lemon, HyperMint, Ice Blue, Kiwi-Apple, Mentho-Lyptus, Mint surge, Ocean Blue, Orange Creme, Spearmint, Strawberry, Strawberry Creme, Tropical Fruit, Tropa-Lyptus and Watermelon. As Halls attempts to provide local markets with the flavours you enjoy, availability may vary.
In addition to Halls Mentho-Lyptus drops, you can also enjoy Halls Plus, Halls Centres, Halls Sugar Free, Halls Defense, Halls Breezers, Halls Max and Halls Bursts, as well as Halls Soothers and Frutables, liquid-centre soothing candies with real fruit juice, Halls Vita-C, a refreshing Vitamin C fruit drop, and Shotgum, Halls' first sugar-free gum.