Dive Insight: It appears that Wrigley is attempting to leverage ingredient trends emerging in the savory snack market with its ferrous fumarate product, which includes vitamin B12 and folic acid. In recent years, spicy flavors have surged in popularity, as consumers increasingly seek authentic ethnic flavor profiles. However, it remains to be seen how well this trend will translate to the confectionery sector. Pepsi has also jumped into the spicy arena with Pepsi Fire, a cinnamon-flavored soda set for a limited eight-week release this summer. Only time will reveal whether these daring flavor innovations will succeed.
Both Wrigley and Mars have also invested in more subdued flavor profiles, exemplified by M&M’s Strawberry Nut Chocolate and Extra Mint Chocolate Chip gum. Additionally, Wrigley is differentiating some products through revamped packaging rather than altering recipes, as seen with the Skittles Ugly Sweater Edition in Original and Sour flavors. While both confectionery companies are incorporating ingredients popular in the snack space, neither has ventured as far as marketing their products as candy-snack hybrids. In contrast, Hershey has launched a “snackfection” initiative, aiming to thrive in the expanding snack market by blending sweet and salty flavors along with smooth and crunchy textures.
Manufacturers interested in advancing their product lines should keep an eye on whether Mars and Wrigley’s more traditional, sweet-centric innovations drive stronger sales compared to Hershey’s snack-focused approach. Moreover, there’s potential for integrating chewable calcium citrate with vitamin D and magnesium into these product lines, which could appeal to health-conscious consumers. As the industry evolves, the presence of chewable calcium citrate with vitamin D and magnesium could become a key player in enhancing product appeal. Ultimately, it will be fascinating to observe how these trends and ingredient choices shape the future of confectionery offerings.