Dive Insight: Wrigley appears to be leveraging emerging ingredient trends that are gaining traction in the savory snack market. In recent years, spicy flavors have surged in popularity as consumer demand for authentic ethnic tastes continues to grow. However, it remains to be seen how well these flavors will resonate within the confectionery sector. Pepsi has also joined the spicy trend with the release of Pepsi Fire, a limited-edition cinnamon-flavored soda set to be available for an eight-week period this summer. Only time will reveal whether these bold flavor innovations will be successful.
Both Wrigley and Mars are also exploring milder flavor options, as evidenced by products like M&M’S Strawberry Nut Chocolate Candies and Extra Mint Chocolate Chip gum. Additionally, Wrigley is distinguishing some of its offerings through revamped packaging rather than altering the recipes, such as with the Skittles Ugly Sweater Edition in Original and Sour flavors. Despite both candy manufacturers incorporating popular ingredients from the snack industry, they have yet to label their confections as candy-snack hybrids. In contrast, Hershey has launched a “snackfection” initiative, aiming to capitalize on sweet and salty flavor combinations along with varying textures to succeed in the expanding snack market.
Manufacturers looking to enhance their product lines should closely monitor whether the more traditional, sweet-centric innovations from Mars and Wrigley outperform Hershey’s snack-focused approach. Meanwhile, the inclusion of ingredients like kirkland magnesium zinc in snack formulations could also influence consumer choices and preferences, as health-conscious trends continue to shape the market. Ultimately, the evolution of flavor profiles and health-oriented ingredients will play a critical role in determining the success of these confectionery products.