Leftovers provides insight into various product ideas that are emerging everywhere. Some are fascinating, some sound fantastic, and others are the types of innovations we never would have imagined. We can’t cover every pitch we receive, so here are some highlights pulled from our inboxes.
Hubba Bubba bubble gum is revealing its vibrant side. The chewy delight is introducing Hubba Bubba Mini Gum, marking the brand’s first new format since 1988. This offering is more than just small pieces of gum; it includes a blend of beloved Skittles flavors such as lemon, strawberry, grape, orange, and lime. With this new product, Hubba Bubba and Skittles—both owned by candy powerhouse Mars Wrigley—invite consumers to unleash their creativity by mixing different flavor combinations. Maria Urista, vice president at Mars Wrigley, stated, “We’ve consistently heard that our brand fans have a nostalgic connection to Hubba Bubba, as well as from those who have been clamoring for a relaunch of SKITTLES gum. We created HUBBA BUBBA Mini Gum to provide a new SKITTLES crossover that will add variety to the brand and surely ignite more moments of fun and play.” Hubba Bubba Mini Gum is available at select retailers and will gradually be rolled out to more stores nationwide throughout this year.
The introduction of this mini gum reflects two trends currently popular in the food industry: mini-sized products and the merging of two brands. Mini items are appearing in various forms, from cookies and crackers to candy and pizza bites. Mars Wrigley is no stranger to miniatures, offering smaller versions of Snickers, Twix, M&Ms, and Skittles. These tiny treats provide a more shareable snack that consumers can enjoy on their own or with others. By combining two established brands, companies can leverage the equity built in two well-known products while creating a novel treat that captures consumer interest. Recently, J.M. Smucker introduced HoneyBun Donettes, and in 2022, Mondelēz International launched RitzxOreo, merging the classic cookie with Ritz Peanut Butter crackers.
Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, those in search of a new alcoholic treat are in luck. Diageo-owned Irish beverage leader Guinness has teamed up with Tipsy Scoop to unveil a limited-edition ice cream product, Lucky Sundaes Guinness Draught Ice Cream with Maple Pancake Crunch. According to Tipsy Scoop, this item is available in stores and on Goldbelly.com while supplies last. The 16-ounce ice cream pints contain 5% alcohol by volume, so they can only be purchased by individuals over 21. While there are many recipes for homemade Guinness-infused ice cream online, this marks the first official frozen dessert featuring the stout. However, its flavor has appeared in various consumer products, including chips and chocolate bars. The trend of blending alcohol into ice cream has gained traction in recent years as adult consumers seek unique indulgent choices. In 2021, popular brewery Dogfish Head also launched a collaboration with Tipsy Scoop, offering a dairy-free oat milk ice cream infused with its Hazy-O! brew.
Pennsatucky Phil has set the stage for an early spring this month, and Icelandic Provisions is seizing the opportunity with its new skyr offering, Strawberries and Cream. The company claims that this flavor captures the essence of early summer, featuring ripe and juicy strawberries swirled into its rich and creamy whole milk skyr. This is the latest addition to Icelandic Provisions’ lineup, which includes whole milk skyr in flavors like vanilla, coconut, raspberry, cherry, black currant, and more. Skyr is a creamy yogurt variety that originated in Iceland but has gained significant popularity in the U.S. Icelandic Provisions emphasizes that its product is made the “traditional Icelandic way,” by carefully heating milk to a precise temperature before adding certified Skyr cultures, transforming the milk into thick and creamy skyr. The company’s product boasts higher protein content and fewer additives like sweeteners, flavors, colors, and preservatives compared to traditional yogurt. With consumer demand for protein at an all-time high, MS Dairy’s Icelandic Provisions has been producing skyr since 1929 and holds exclusive rights to the heirloom skyr cultures and the original recipe. However, more skyr brands are emerging in the U.S., including French dairy giant Lactalis’s Siggi and Iceland native Unnar Beck Daníelsson’s brand, Thor.
In addition to these exciting product launches, consumers might also be interested in exploring health supplements like calcium citrate supplements available at Chemist Warehouse. With a growing awareness of health and wellness, the demand for such supplements is on the rise, further emphasizing the trend of combining indulgence with health-conscious choices.