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 candies feature a rich and creamy chocolate milk filling that is guaranteed to add a bit of delight to any time of day, and unlock fond memories of drinking chocolate milk for the whole family,” said Katie DeCapria, brand manager.

“We’re excited to bring Kisses brand fans the chance to enjoy a filled product variation year-round.”

The candies are available in 9-ounce share bags.

The Hershey Co. is a snacks company with about 19,000 employees around the world who work with more than 100 brand names in 80 countries. The company’s brand names include Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers, and salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty and Dot’s Pretzels. 

To learn more, visit thehersheycompany.com.

For more candy and snacks news from The Shelby Report, click here.

The candy company also recently unveiled new research highlighting how shoppers in 2023 are making candy purchase choices based on the occasion and their physical, mental and emotional needs. To read more about the company’s research into better-for-you candy porfolios presented by The Shelby Report, click here.

The post The Hershey Co. Introduces Kisses Candy With Milk Filling appeared first on Shelby Report.

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 looking for low/sugar-free products, up 4 percentage points versus a year ago, the Welch’s Zero Sugar comes as consumer preference for sugar-free snacks is increasing.

According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Marketing Research Future, the global market for sugar-free treats is projected to increase by 6.9 percent, reaching almost $7 billion by 2030.

“We’re excited to expand our product offerings with Welch’s Zero Sugar Fruity Bites,” said Nicole Luisi, senior brand manager, Welch’s Fruit Snacks.

“With this new innovation, fans of our iconic fruit snacks with specific dietary preferences or restrictions can again enjoy that same delicious taste and texture they have grown to love, giving them a deliciously fruity snack without any compromise.”

Consumers will begin to find Welch’s Zero Sugar at retailers and on Amazon in the Mixed Fruit, Berries ‘n Cherries and Island Fruits varieties, priced at about $3.99 for 3-ounce peg bags with other packaging formats planned to roll out later in the year.

PIM Brands Inc. is also one of the largest makers of chocolate and non-chocolate confections. Ranked as No. 26 on Candy Industry Magazine’s “Global Top 100” confectionery companies in the world and No. 10 in North America by Candy Industry Magazine, PIM Brands Inc. is also listed by Crain’s Business as one of the New York Metro Area’s 100 largest privately-owned companies and by NJBIZ as one of the state’s largest privately-held employers.

For more information, visit pimbrands.com.

The post Welch’s Fruit Snacks Introduces Zero Sugar Fruity Bites appeared first on Shelby Report.

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 important brand we have built through the Sweets & Snacks Expo, we continue to evolve to meet the needs of our growing exhibitor and attendee community,” said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, host organization of the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

“Our new brand is inspired by the unique experiences associated with candy and snacks – the thrill of discovering innovative new products, the sweetness of sharing a decadent piece of chocolate with a loved one, and the always satisfying crunch of a tasty potato chip.”

About 18,000 people registered for the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo, with more than 800 exhibitors on the show floor. The Sweets & Snacks Expo brings together confectionery and snack retailers, manufacturers, brokers and suppliers to showcase the latest product innovations, merchandising ideas and supply-side solutions. The show has an economic impact on its host city, generating $21 million per year for the city of Chicago, according to the NCA.

As interest in the Sweets & Snacks Expo grows, so do the needs of the exhibitors and attendees. Both Indianapolis and Las Vegas can meet the growing demand for the Sweets & Snacks Expo and enable it to continue providing innovation, insights and connections. Beginning in 2024, the Sweets & Snacks Expo will cycle through a rotation of two years at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, followed by one year at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas until 2032.

For more information about the future of the expo, visit SweetsAndSnacks.com/Future.

To view the full photo gallery from the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo by The Shelby Report, click here.

The post New City, Brand For 2024 Sweets And Snacks Expo appeared first on Shelby Report.

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 attendance.

This year marks the final time the show will take place at McCormick Place in Chicago before moving to new host cities. Beginning in 2024, the Sweets & Snacks Expo will cycle through a rotation of two years in Indianapolis followed by one year in Las Vegas until 2032.

“This year is an important inflection point for the Sweets & Snacks Expo, as it is the show’s final year in Chicago,” said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association and Sweets & Snacks Expo host organization. 

“For more than 25 years, we have worked in collaboration with the city of Chicago to build and host the world’s premier candy and snack show. The value that the Sweets & Snacks Expo brings to confectionery and snack companies is incredibly important and it contributes in a major way to the success of these two great categories.”

This year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo highlights:

• Nearly 250 new exhibitors;
• More than 210,000 square feet of sweet, salty and sour products;
• More than 800 exhibitors;
• 16,000 attendees; and
• an estimated $21 million economic impact on Chicago.

Featuring new product launches, business-building solutions and merchandising innovations, the annual trade show brings together qualified candy and snack retail professionals and company representatives who showcase the latest in candy and snack products. The event is sponsored by the National Confectioners Association.

The National Confectioners Association is a trade organization for the U.S. confectionery industry, which generates $42 billion in retail sales each year. The industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states and supports an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields.

The post The Sweets And Snacks Expo Opens For Its Final Year In Chicago appeared first on Shelby Report.

“We wanted to learn more about the shopper path to purchase by understanding when and why shoppers are snacking, as well as where and what they’re buying on different occasions or shopping trips,” said Kathy Risch, SVP of consumer insights and trends at the Acosta Group and a speaker on shopping behavior impact on category sales May 22-25 at the Sweets and Snacks Expo 2023 in Chicago.

“We discovered consumer shopping preferences and generational differences that inform how brands and retailers can best meet the needs of today’s consumers.”

These categories each saw 12 percent year-over-year sales growth fueled by the increased pricing of inflation, according to Nielsen. 

Snacks

Forty percent of shoppers say they’ve eaten a large bag of salty snacks in one sitting, with that percentage rising to 74 percent for Gen Z and 60 percent for Millennials.

Shoppers are snacking throughout the day, with 43 percent saying they’re usually snacking at night, 32 percent often snacking as a meal and 36 percent snacking when bored. Stress snacking is highest among Gen Z at 81 percent, with 68 percent of shoppers with kids saying that they snack when stressed. Snacks are perceived as a comfort food by 68 percent of shoppers.

Millennials are big snackers, with purchases of frozen snacks and sides, granola and cereal bars, protein and nutrition bars and dried meat or jerky. This group is also snacking on the go, with 74 percent snacking at work and 63 percent snacking when traveling. Households with kids are also driving snack sales, with more of these families shopping weekly across multiple categories.

Salty snacks reign in the category with potato chips in the lead, and popcorn becoming the breakout inflation-proof, go-to snack of 2023. Taste is driving choice, followed by value and promotional pricing.

Candy

For candy purchasers, chocolate is preferred (82 percent) over non-chocolate, with 54 percent of shoppers saying they eat more candy than they should. Four in ten are eating candy at least once a day, with Millennials and higher income households eating more.  

Citing high prices and health concerns, 30 percent of shoppers say they’re buying less candy than last year. Candy sales are also at risk due to the increased use of self-checkout, preferred by 76 percent of Gen Z and 73 percent of Millennial shoppers. More than 25 percent of all candy sales occur at checkout, with self-checkout reducing impulse candy conversion purchases by 50 percent, according to IMC Proprietary Retailer Research.   

Shoppers are buying 28 percent of their snacks online, with one in three of those shoppers having a subscription service for automatic reorders. Leading online purchases are protein and nutrition bars, dried jerky and meat, granola and cereal bars, frozen snacks and sides and non-chocolate candy. Shoppers, especially men, often make a special trip just for a snack, especially to c-stores and quick service restaurants, with 76 percent of c-store shoppers saying they snack daily.

“With this study, we’ve identified several standout opportunities to support continued growth for CPG brands in snack and candy,” said Darian Pickett, CEO, sales agency.

“At Acosta Group, we bring multiple capabilities to the table to provide a one-stop shop to drive customer purchase and loyalty, build integrated omnichannel plans and support brand innovation for category expansion.”

Acosta Group’s Candy Shopper Insights Study was conducted Feb. 10-13 with 1,779 primary household shoppers and its Snacks Shopper Insights Study was conducted from Feb. 23-March 1 with 1,706 primary household shoppers.

For more snacks news from The Shelby Report, click here.

The post Study Shows Candy, Snacks Considered Accessible Luxuries appeared first on Shelby Report.

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 expect.

• Seventy-one percent of consumers say living healthier lifestyles is important. 

The good news is that even motivated BFY consumers purchase conventional candy. Offering alternative choices is a basket builder and the two segments do not cannibalize each other. 

• One hundred percent of all BYF candy shoppers also purchase conventional candy. 

Nearly three out of four health-conscious consumers say they are looking to limit or avoid sugar in their diets.

• Sales of Hershey’s Zero Sugar products have tripled since the 2021 relaunch featuring new branding and pack types. 

There is a bountiful pipeline of innovations behind Lily’s including new chocolates, baking chips and gummies. 

• Growth driven by Lily’s, Brookside and the Zero Sugar Platform helped Hershey garner a 19 percent share of the BFY CMG category. 

Consumers seek vegan options for health reasons but also to benefit the planet. Hershey meets the demand with Hershey’s new Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt and Reese’s Plant Based Peanut Butter Cups. 

• The vegan chocolate market is expected to expand at a compound growth rate of almost 15 percent from 2021 to 2028, outstripping the 5.2 percent CAGR for traditional chocolate over the last six years.

Sales growth of protein snacking is outpacing that of nutrition bars. With Hershey’s ONE and FULFIL, shoppers can enjoy a delicious protein snack that also aligns with health goals. 

• Consumption in the $2 billion protein supplement category is expected to rise at a CAGR of 8 percent between 2022 and 2030. 

It’s time to evaluate space management. BFY is expanding faster than the total category but remains underspaced. The amount of wholesome products in stores has increased more than 20 percent since 2017, which indicates the growing demand for a greater array of choices.

Women are the sweet spot when it comes to purchasing BFY. Present products with healthier options at eye level, in the center of the aisle and within arms’ reach. Low-sugar or vegan products that are featured or displayed produce the greatest dollar lifts across all classes of trade. 

Placing BFY near conventional confections spurs discovery and sales conversion. Bringing products that fit Americans’ wellness goals into the conventional candy aisles can result in bigger baskets.

SOURCES: Hershey Consumer Insights 2023, Numerator Insights, Custom BFY / Non-BFY Product Groupings, IRI Grand View Research.

For more information, click here. 

The post Hershey Meets Consumers’ Demands For Wellness Options appeared first on Shelby Report.

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 artists’ creative approach, the culture of their community and Jolly Rancher Gummies’ colors and classic characters.

“These larger-than-life murals are bold and out of this world – a perfect representation of the Jolly Rancher brand,” said Danielle Ford, brand manager. 

“From packages to murals, seeing bold art inspired by Jolly Rancher Gummies is exciting. The murals and packaging are inspiring, colorful and full of energy. We hope fans can pick up a bag at their local store and go visit a mural near them.”

About the artists:

• Mastrion is a Brooklyn-born, New York City-based painter and muralist. Since 2012, her work has taken her all over the globe, with some of her most recent work appearing in her home neighborhood of Coney Island at the New York Aquarium and at Luna Park. She works with an aerosol base and painted the New York Jolly Rancher mural using the brand colors, pairing the Fruit Crew characters with her flower imagery.
• Miami, Florida-based Starkweather has more than 20 years of experience in mural painting, using everything from traditional oil painting to aerosol can art. His mural design layers the Fruit Crew on top of a bright, split background of the beach and city skyline, all in a ’90’s color scheme.
• Farrell is an Los Angeles-based artist who started his career at an ad agency and is the face of his own brand, KidWiseman, which aims to inspire young creatives through large scale mural projects, art performance and apparel. KidWiseman’s Los Angeles and Bentonville murals depict the Fruit Crew in a full Jolly Rancher world, bringing in his bold, colorful repeating shapes and patterns and his logo and emblematic brand mask.

The gummies feature a mix of flavors, including green apple, blue raspberry, cherry, grape and watermelon, available in three designs in 7-ounce and 13-ounce pouches at retailers nationwide.

Jolly Rancher partnered with Beautify Earth, a creative agency dedicated to connecting brands and local artists to transform public outdoor spaces through murals, packaging and digital storytelling. The company worked with the agency to select the three street artists.

Fans can visit hersheyland.com/jolly-rancher-gummies-artists to learn more about this program.

The post Jolly Rancher Gummies Releases Street Art-Inspired Packaging appeared first on Shelby Report.

Through the deal, Hershey will acquire Weaver’s operations in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Whitestown, Indiana.

The acquisition is designed to enable the company to sustain strong growth for its SkinnyPop brand by strengthening internal supply chain capabilities in combination with its network of strategic suppliers and co-manufacturers.

“Hershey has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, stemming from a combination of successful strategy execution and an increase in more snacking occasions among consumers,” said Kristen Riggs, president, salty snacks, The Hershey Company.

“In fact, SkinnyPop has been number one in retail sales growth for ready-to-eat popcorn over the last three years.”

As the company continues to elevate its position as a leading snacking powerhouse, these new facilities will also enable more flexibility, agility and resiliency across its growing salty snacks supply chain network. A year ago, Hershey acquired Pretzels Inc. to expand its salty snacks manufacturing capabilities.

“In response to consumer snacking trends, we continue to evolve our supply chain, making significant investments in the size, scale and capabilities of our network, improving resiliency while we continue to strengthen existing supplier relationships,” said Jason Reiman, chief supply chain officer, The Hershey Company.

“Our acquisition of Weaver’s two facilities is a perfect example of how we’re investing to bring added capacity and strength across our portfolio of brands well into the future.”

Like Hershey, Weaver has a strong manufacturing heritage, tracing its roots back nearly a century. As a family-owned and operated company, over the last 90 years, Weaver has developed into a vertically integrated business, delivering a broad array of popcorn products globally. The company now operates three independent entities, including Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing.

“Participating in the growth of SkinnyPop has been a rewarding experience for our team members,” said Jason Kashman, CEO, Weaver Popcorn.

“Hershey is acquiring two best-in-class popcorn manufacturing operations that will enable continued growth in volume and quality, with teams at each location that have an unrivaled expertise.”

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and will be financed with cash on hand, as well as short-term borrowings.

To learn more about the acquisition, visit thehersheycompany.com.

The post Hershey Acquires Facilities From Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing appeared first on Shelby Report.

“[We are] thrilled to partner with Mars on not one, but three delicious mashups with the iconic M&M’s candy brand,” said Ashley Dawkins, VP of marketing. 

“We wanted to ensure there was an option for everyone to enjoy this sweet craveable snack.”

The M&M’s Minis, Blondie M&M’s Minis and Gluten Free M&M’s Minis products are available for purchase on BrownieBrittle.com and Amazon, as well as in-store at national retailers for an SRP of $3.99 per four-ounce bag.

Each of the products contain 120-130 calories per one-ounce serving and feature the M&M’s Minis candy pieces.

Recently acquired by Second Nature Brands, the company has been baking and selling innovative brownie products to restaurants, club stores and world-class theme parks since 1992. Its snacks are available in tens of thousands of stores in the US, Canada, Mexico and Asia.

Second Nature Brands’ family of brands includes Kar’s Nuts, Second Nature Snacks, Sanders Chocolates and Brownie Brittle. Second Nature Brands products are distributed throughout North America and are also available for purchase online here.

For more snack news from The Shelby Report, click here.

The post Second Nature Brands Launches Brownie Brittle M&M’s Minis appeared first on Shelby Report.

New Butter & Garlic and Italian Style Krutones will join the brand’s lineup as they sit alongside traditional croutons and other salad and soup toppers on shelf. Each new SKU boasts five grams of collagen just one gram of total carbohydrates per serving and is also gluten free.

Being gluten-free, low carb and high in collagen, Krutones are an alternative to traditional croutons and salad toppers. They will become available in two varieties, elevating the salad and soup experience, including Butter and Garlic and Italian Style. 

“We’ve worked hard to educate today’s consumer about pork rinds and demystify the category, overall. With the opportunity to bring Southern Recipe Small Batch to shoppers in a different part of the grocery store, we’re confident we’ll be able to broaden our audience and adopt new, loyal pork rinds lovers,” said Mark Singleton, VP of sales and marketing.

“Casual snackers, dieters, foodies and everyone in between are sure to love Krutones.”

For a snack historically purchased by men, Southern Recipe Small Batch’s pork rinds are crafted to speak to every consumer. As a part of the Rudolph Foods company, Southern Recipe Small Batch brings to life family history and hard work by continuing to use their family’s secret cooking method.

Southern Recipe Small Batch, a division of Southern Recipe, is a small batch, handcrafted brand of pork rinds. It offers this traditionally indulgent Southern snack in internationally inspired flavors that boast eight grams of protein, low carbs and are naturally gluten free.

For additional information, visit SouthernRecipeSmallBatch.com.

The post Southern Recipe Small Batch Launches Pork Rind Croutons appeared first on Shelby Report.