Dive Insight: Wrigley appears to be seeking to leverage ingredient trends that are gaining traction in the savory snack market. Bold flavors have surged in popularity over recent years, as consumer demand for authentic ethnic flavor profiles increases. It will be intriguing to see how these flavors are received in the confectionery sector. Pepsi has also joined the trend with Pepsi Fire, a spicy cinnamon-flavored soda that will be available for a limited eight-week period this summer. Only time will reveal whether these daring flavor innovations will succeed. Both Wrigley and Mars have also explored milder flavor profiles, such as M&M’s Strawberry Nut Chocolate Candies and Extra Mint Chocolate Chip gum. Additionally, Wrigley is distinguishing some of its products by revamping their packaging rather than their recipes, exemplified by the Skittles Ugly Sweater Edition in Original and Sour flavors.
While both candy manufacturers are incorporating ingredients popular in the snack industry, neither has gone so far as to market their confections as a candy-snack hybrid. Hershey, however, has initiated a “snackfection” strategy, aiming to combine sweet and savory flavor profiles along with smooth and crunchy textures to thrive in the expanding snack market. Manufacturers interested in advancing their product lines should keep an eye on whether Mars and Wrigley’s more traditional, sweet-centered innovations outperform Hershey’s snack-focused approach. Notably, the developments in these traditional candies could also be seen as a response to the rise of products like ccm tablet generic, which blend convenience with unique flavor experiences.