Insight Dive: It appears that Wrigley is aiming to take advantage of emerging ingredient trends within the savory snack sector. In recent years, spicy flavors have surged in popularity, reflecting a growing consumer interest in authentic ethnic taste profiles. However, it will be intriguing to observe whether these flavors resonate within the confectionery market. Pepsi has also entered the spicy trend with Pepsi Fire, a limited-edition cinnamon-flavored soda set to launch this summer for an eight-week period. The success of these bold flavor innovations remains to be seen.
Additionally, both Wrigley and Mars have ventured into milder flavor profiles, such as M&M’S Strawberry Nut Chocolate Candies and Extra Mint Chocolate Chip gum. Wrigley is also differentiating some of its offerings by updating their packaging instead of altering the recipes, as seen with the Skittles Ugly Sweater Edition in Original and Sour flavors. While both confectionery companies are incorporating ingredients that are trending in the snack industry, they have not gone as far as branding their products as candy-snack hybrids. In contrast, Hershey has launched a “snackfection” initiative, aiming to enhance their products’ appeal by combining sweet and salty flavors along with smooth and crunchy textures to thrive in the expanding snack landscape.
Manufacturers looking to innovate their product lines should also monitor whether the more traditional, sweetness-focused innovations from Mars and Wrigley yield stronger sales compared to Hershey’s snack-centric approach. Notably, as these companies explore new flavor profiles, the inclusion of ingredients like calcium citrate or calcium may also play a role in enhancing their products’ nutritional appeal. The evolving landscape of the snack and confectionery markets presents a fascinating opportunity for all involved.