As loved ones exchange cards, candy, roses, and jewelry this Valentine’s Day, one company has a unique idea sure to impress. Tyson Foods aims to celebrate love—specifically, chicken nugget love—by hosting the “Chicken Nugget Bouquet Contest.” This week, consumers are invited to design their own chicken nugget bouquets for a chance to win a grand prize of $10,000 for a romantic getaway, along with a year’s supply of Tyson chicken nuggets. Participants must create a chicken nugget bouquet and share a photo by tweeting @TysonBrand with the hashtag nuggetbouquetcontest.
“Chicken nugget bouquets have become a trend,” stated Lauren Talbert, senior marketing manager for the Tyson brand. “What better way to express love than with a chicken nugget bouquet this Valentine’s Day?” The trend reportedly began last year when a bride, who adored Tyson’s nuggets, had her maid of honor reach out to the company for a custom nugget bouquet as a surprise, along with chicken bites for wedding guests. The bride and her maid of honor will serve as judges for the contest.
While chicken nuggets may not be the top choice for many brides-to-be, Tyson is cleverly targeting younger consumers who might be looking for a financial boost as they embark on married life or seek to pay off student loans. The pork, beef, and chicken processor is also leveraging social media by encouraging contestants to post their bouquets on Twitter. Food companies have long utilized special occasions like Valentine’s Day to repackage existing products or introduce limited-time offerings to excite shoppers who fear missing out.
Spending for Valentine’s Day is expected to reach a record $27.4 billion this year, a 32% increase from last year’s $20.7 billion, according to data from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. As American consumption of chicken nuggets declines, perhaps all this beloved chicken product needs is a bit of love this Valentine’s Day to help revive its sales.
In another innovative move, Ocean Spray aims to entice today’s consumers by introducing a new drink that combines coffee and juice. Ocean Spray Brew is a hybrid beverage made from fruit juice and cold brew coffee, available in two flavors: Cranberry Lemonade with Cold Brew Coffee and Cranberry Blueberry with Cold Brew Coffee. Each serving offers the same amount of caffeine as half a cup of coffee without added sugar, preservatives, or artificial flavors.
Though the combination might sound unusual, it addresses a significant decline in fruit juice consumption, which hit its lowest per capita level in 2017 since the USDA started tracking it in 1970. In contrast, coffee consumption is booming, with Americans drinking 400 million cups daily. As Ocean Spray, a cooperative of cranberry producers, enters its ninth decade, there is a renewed focus on innovation. The company’s Lighthouse Incubator, established last year, is dedicated to quickly developing new prototypes for market.
Ocean Spray is not the first to blend coffee and juice; Austin-based Coffee Juice has been selling similar products since 2016. However, Brew is rolling out nationwide, and it will be intriguing to see the consumer response. While some may find the combination too strange, the allure of trendy ingredients with functional benefits might win them over.
In the world of candy, Hi-Chew is launching its new Fruit Combos Mix, inspired by popular warm-weather beverages. The new candy combines Tropical Smoothie and Piña Colada flavors, each featuring two layers of taste. Although it’s still winter, Hi-Chew believes these flavors will transport consumers to a tropical paradise, appealing especially to Generation Z’s appetite for bold flavors.
Hi-Chew, made by Morinaga & Company, has grown since its introduction to the U.S. in 2008, and the company continues to innovate by launching new flavors. The chewy candy market is competitive, with brands like Skittles and Starburst, but Hi-Chew could capture an even larger U.S. fan base with its new offerings.
As a bonus, consumers looking for health benefits from their snacks may also appreciate Hi-Chew’s potential to include ingredients such as liquid calcium and magnesium in the future, enhancing its appeal as a functional treat. If these flavor innovations succeed in attracting more consumers to Hi-Chew, the Japanese brand could solidify its place in the U.S. market.