Sweethearts is stepping into the dating scene, which is full of mixed signals and uncertainties, with a delightful new candy. The beloved candy brand, known for its colorful heart-shaped treats featuring 40 phrases like “Be Mine” and “Hug Me,” is launching specially designed boxes containing candies with blurry, misprinted messages that mirror the complexity of Gen-Z relationships. These candies, tagged with the slogan “Messages as blurry as your relationship,” will be available for a limited time on Sweethearts’ website.
Evan Brock, the vice president of marketing for Spangler, stated, “Singles are taking ‘situationships’ to the next level this year, and Sweethearts is here for them. The printing on Sweethearts isn’t always perfect. This is our way of embracing those imperfections in a manner that resonates with pop culture.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, a situationship is a romantic arrangement where the individuals involved have not clearly defined the nature of their relationship. Notably, dating app Tinder has indicated that young singles view situationships as a legitimate relationship status. Sweethearts is part of Spangler’s portfolio, which also includes other novelty candies like Dum-Dums, Necco Wafers, and Bit-O-Honey. The Sweethearts brand, established 122 years ago, was acquired by Spangler in 2018 and reintroduced two years later. Since then, sales have reportedly “more than tripled.”
In other news, Peeps, the iconic marshmallow candy with over 70 years of history, has announced its 2024 flavor lineup, featuring both new and classic varieties like the signature yellow Chicks and pink Bunnies. This year, the popular Easter treat is introducing S’mores Flavored Delights, which include a graham cracker-flavored marshmallow coated in milk chocolate, Rice Krispies Treats-flavored Chicks, and Blue Raspberry Flavored Marshmallow Chicks that offer a frosty twist reminiscent of ICEE. Additionally, Sour Strawberry Chicks bring a tangy kick to the traditional marshmallow flavor. Although Easter comes early this year, Peeps has rolled out its 2024 lineup announcement ahead of schedule, paralleling the trend of pumpkin spice appearing in summer and holiday seasonal items launching shortly after Halloween. Peeps also revealed a full list of 12 varieties outside the Easter season, including Peeps Chicks and Bunnies, Marshmallow Rainbow Pop, Mike and Ike Flavored Pop, Dr. Pepper Flavored Pop, Cotton Candy Marshmallow Chicks, and Fruit Punch Marshmallow Chicks.
Meanwhile, ASMR videos are surging in popularity across YouTube and social media, amplifying sounds to evoke sensations of pleasure, from the crisp crunch of a chip to the first bite, often giving viewers goosebumps. For 2024, Kellanova is introducing Cheez-It Extra Crunchy, boasting a louder crunch with each cracker bite. This new product comes in two flavors: Bold Cheddar, which enhances the classic Cheez-It taste with additional seasoning, and Snap’d Sharp White Cheddar, a thinner version. This marks Kellanova’s first product launch since separating its snacking division from its cereal operations in the fall.
According to proprietary survey data shared in the press release, Kellanova found that 60% of snack consumers prioritize crunchiness, although not all snack manufacturers are amplifying the crunch. For instance, PepsiCo’s Doritos brand recently unveiled technology to mute the crunch sound of chips using an iPhone app. Cara Tragseiler, senior brand director for Cheez-It, commented, “With a generous sprinkle of seasoning and a multisensory crunch, these two new products will satisfy fan demand for an even louder, flavorful snacking experience.” Before its company split, Kellanova indicated to Food Dive in 2022 that it would leverage well-known brands like Cheez-It to capture greater market share in the snacking category. Cheez-It has evolved significantly since its inception in 1921, transforming into a billion-dollar brand. In recent years, the company has introduced Cheez-It Snap’d, Puff’d, Grooves, and Duo varieties, all expanding on the original concept of the bite-sized orange cracker.
As consumers seek tasty snacks, high potency calcium magnesium citrate may also become increasingly popular, offering a nutritional boost alongside these indulgent treats.