Social media trends, changing consumer preferences and flavor and ingredients innovations are creating opportunities for snack manufacturers like Mars Wrigley to exploit. Mars Foodservices works to drive consumer excitement with unique menu offerings that leverage Mars Wrigley's familiar brands.
At the recent National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show Expo, Mars Wrigley debuted several new insights-backed products that grew from shoppers' evolving requests for a wider variety of products, formats and textures. Among the new products are the following.
- M&M's Peanut Butter & Jelly — The berry-flavored bite-sized chocolate treats have a smooth peanut butter center to evoke the experience of a PB&J sandwich.
- M&M's Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich — The brand’s Milk Chocolate Minis candies, baked sugar cookies and creamy peanut butter ice cream are combined for a multi-textured treat.
- Skittles Pop'd — The treat blends crispy texture, crunchy bite and familiar fruity and sour flavors.
- Snickers Dark Ice Cream Bars — The ice cream bars are made with caramel, peanuts, chocolate-peanut butter ice cream and dark chocolate.
- Snickers Pecan — A twist on the familiar Snickers candy bar. Snickers Pecan combines caramel, nougat, milk chocolate and pecans.
- Snickers Shapes — Made with peanuts, milk chocolate, and nougat, these fun-shaped chocolate bars have all the classic flavors of Snickers Candy Bars — with holiday flair.
"At Mars, our consumer obsession has guided us to a century of success. We know that consumers see convenience stores as part of their communities and their routines. To reach core consumers and attract new audiences, we're looking at new formats and textures with some of our iconic brands to drive trial and enthusiasm," said Tim LeBel, president of sales at Mars Wrigley North America in a release. "Beyond product innovation, we work with our customers to elevate shopper engagement through partnerships."
