The confectionery industry is as strong as it’s ever been, according to Carly Schildhaus, director of public affairs and communications for the National Confectioners Association. She said consumers are eager to find ways to add a little bit of sweetness to their lives, “whether enhancing holidays, brightening celebrations or making an ordinary day extraordinary.” In […]
Category: Snacks Brands
Snack news for grocery retailers: new items, brand news, sales trends and merchandising for salty snacks, candy and more.
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Sales Of Confections Posting Increases Across Categories
Even with inflation and price increases, consumers still are focused on food and beverages, including confections. In an Aug. 23 webinar presented by Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, Dan Sadler, principle of client insights at market research firm Circana, took a deeper look into the confections industry. Looking at dollar sales percent change versus a […]
Tech, Foodservice Paramount At NACS Show
Over the past 20 years, convenience stores have become much more than a place to pick up drinks, snacks or a magazine. “But what does the next 20 years look like,” asked Jeff Lenard, VP of strategic industry initiatives for the National Association of Convenience Stores. The size of the industry itself attests to its […]
Hershey Introduces Ice Breakers Raspberry Lemon Mints
Ice Breakers has introduced a new sparkling mint flavor – Raspberry Lemon Seltzer. “‘We’ve truly pushed the boundaries of refreshment with our Raspberry Lemon Seltzer Sparkling Mints,” said Taylor Schwartz, senior associate manager for brand refreshment at the Hershey, Pennsylvania-based company. “This innovative product delivers a completely new sensorial experience that will redefine consumers’ expectations of mints.” […]
Kellogg Co. To Separate Into Two Companies: Kellanova, WK Kellogg Co.
Battle Creek, Michigan-based Kellogg Co. and its board of directors have approved the separation into two independent, publicly traded companies – Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co. The announcement was first shared in March. Upon completion of the separation on Oct. 2, Kellogg Co. will be renamed Kellanova and will continue to trade on the New York […]
Hostess Brands To Be Acquired By J.M. Smucker Co.
Lenexa, Kansas-based Hostess Brands Inc. has entered into an agreement with Orrville, Ohio-based The J.M. Smucker Co. to acquire Hostess Brands in a cash and stock transaction valued at $34.25 per Hostess Brands share, representing a transaction value of about $5.6 billion, including the assumption of debt. The transaction includes the Hostess Brands sweet baked […]
Southern Recipe Pork Rinds Celebrates Truck Driver Appreciation Week
In Dallas, Texas-based Southern Recipe’s Annual Truck Driver Appreciation Week campaign, the brand will support St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund with a $7,500 donation, plus an additional $5,000 donation from Rudolph Foods going to the wellness programs. Throughout Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which is Sept. 10–16, drivers will be encouraged to sign up for free health screenings and services […]
Leadership Transition Coming To Kraft Heinz
The Kraft Heinz Co. has appointed Carlos Abrams-Rivera as CEO and a member of the board, effective Jan. 1. Abrams-Rivera will take over from Miguel Patricio, who has served as CEO since 2019 and chair of the board since 2022. Patricio will transition to the role of non-executive chair of the board. Until then, Abrams-Rivera […]
Campbell Expands Goldfish Production With Facility Investment
Campbell Soup Co. is investing about $160 million in its Richmond, Utah, manufacturing facility to expand production of Goldfish crackers to help meet increased consumer demand. The new line will increase the bakery’s output of Goldfish by 50 percent and produce more than five million Goldfish per hour or 1,500 Goldfish every second. The expansion […]
Mars Wrigley Using Insights, Innovation To Deliver For Consumers
Mars Wrigley is “consumer obsessed,” according to Mike Gilroy, VP of trade development and sponsorship. The company is “all about the consumer and delivering value and quality to the consumer.” Gilroy said if the 100-plus-year-old company is going to continue to be successful, it needs to “continue to listen to what the consumer is telling […]
The Hershey Company Investing In Innovation
The Hershey Company has been building a “snacking powerhouse” over the last few years, featuring both sweet and salty options, and innovation will continue to be a focus for the company in 2024. Allison Mason, Hershey’s strategic communications manager, talked with The Griffin Report of the Northeast’s Maggie Kaeppel during the recent Sweets & Snacks […]
Mars Welcomes Acquisition Of Kevin’s Natural Foods
McLean, Virginia-based Mars Inc. has completed the acquisition of Kevin’s Natural Foods. Kevin’s makes chef-inspired sous-vide meals, sides and sauces. Founded in 2019, it has experienced double-digit growth and is available in more than 17,000 retail locations. “This is an important milestone for Kevin’s Natural Foods, and I want to thank every colleague at Kevin’s […]
Ithaca Hummus Introduces Clear Packaging Tubs
Rochester, New York-based Ithaca Hummus is updating its hummus and salsa packaging to better serve consumers and retailers. Rolling out in stores this fall, the Ithaca Salsa line will shift to clear tubs, allowing consumers to get a look at the dip’s ingredients prior to purchasing. According to the company, the decision to update the […]
Hershey Meets Consumers’ Demands For Wellness Options
Sponsored content Shoppers in 2023 are making candy purchase choices based on the occasion and their physical, mental, and emotional needs. Consumer spending trends show that they want new options. A better-for-you (BFY) portfolio gives shoppers more opportunity to incorporate wellness into the snack foods they enjoy while maintaining the great taste and flavor they […]
The Hershey Co. Introduces Kisses Candy With Milk Filling
Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Hershey’s has introduced new Hershey’s Kisses Milklicious candies, featuring a chocolate milk filling packed into the center of a milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses candy. Hershey’s Kisses Milklicious chocolates build on the permanent Kisses portfolio. The candy is wrapped in light-blue foils that are adorned with glasses of milk. “Inspired by the special tastes of childhood, Hershey’s Kisses Milklicious […]
Welch’s Fruit Snacks Introduces Zero Sugar Fruity Bites
Park Ridge, New Jersey-based PIM Brands, the maker of Welch’s Fruit Snacks, has introduced new Welch’s Zero Sugar Fruity Bites. Welch’s Zero Sugar Fruity Bites are 100 percent sugar-free, with 25 percent fewer calories than the original Welch’s Fruit Snacks. The snacks are free of fat, gluten, aspartame and preservatives. With four in 10 shoppers […]
New City, Brand For 2024 Sweets And Snacks Expo
The Sweets & Snacks Expo has announced a new brand for its premier confectionery and snack trade show. Rolling out to coincide with the show moving to a two-city rotation in 2024 with Indianapolis, attendees at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo caught a preview of the new brand. “As we look to the future of this […]
The Sweets And Snacks Expo Opens For Its Final Year In Chicago
The 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo opened May 23, kicking off its 26th year as a showcase for innovation in the confectionery and snack industries. Over four days, attendees will have the opportunity to discover confectionery and snack innovations, gain insights through education sessions led by industry experts and make industry connections with the thousands of professionals in […]
Study Shows Candy, Snacks Considered Accessible Luxuries
Economic uncertainty, self-checkout lanes, omnichannel shopping and natural and organic trends are impacting the way consumers are purchasing and consuming snacks and candy, according to a recent survey from Acosta Group, conducted with its shopper community. But one thing is clear – shoppers view snacks and candy as accessible luxuries in their daily lives. “We wanted […]
Jolly Rancher Gummies Releases Street Art-Inspired Packaging
Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Jolly Rancher Gummies are releasing limited-edition packaging featuring designs from street artists, including Danielle Mastrion from New York, Joe Starkweather from Miami and Evan Farrell (KidWiseman) from Los Angeles. Jolly Rancher Gummies has unveiled murals in each of the artists’ cities to bring the packaging to life. An additional mural by KidWiseman will appear June 2 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Each large-scale piece of art combines the […]
