KH News Desk
The Hershey Co. is combining two classic Reese’s products into one snackable treat. Launching nationwide in November, Reese’s Big Cup Stuffed with Reese’s Puffs cereal is the latest innovation from the $2 billion brand.
When the company introduced Reese’s Cups with Pretzels in 2020, it took over the market being the No. 1 innovation in the stuffed platform and had the highest consumer repeat rate out of all innovations in the stuffed category, said Allison Mason, associate manager of corporate communications at The Hershey Co. This latest mashup is the latest in a series of recent brand extensions featuring crunchy inclusions like potato chips and pretzels. The innovative idea started when the Reese’s added their pieces to the peanut butter cup and based on consumer suggestions, they got back with pretzels and potato chips, giving it a whole new punch of tastes.
Combining Reese’s with other snack items has helped Hershey target new eating occasions. Reese’s Big Cups with Potato Chips and Reese’s Snack Bar were positioned as afternoon pick-me-ups based on research that found satiety becomes more important to shoppers later in the day. Other products, like Reese’s Snack Cakes and Reese’s Crunchy Snack Cakes, meet demand for sweeter snacks in between lunch and breakfast.
“By the late morning, after you’ve had breakfast and that second cup of coffee, you might be craving something more indulgent,” Ms. Mason said. “That’s a great space for the Reese’s Big Cup Stuffed with Reese’s Puffs to come in.”
Another new Reese’s item showcased at NACS was inspired by growing demand for cookies and dipped pretzels. Cookie sales for Hershey have increased 4% since 2017 while dipped pretzels sales have increased 53%, Ms. Mason said. Armed with those insights, the company is introducing Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers. Covered in peanut candy and dipped in milk chocolate, the bite-size cookies will roll out nationwide in November.
Also, on display at NACS were new additions to the Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher, and Ice Breakers brands. Initially a limited-edition product, Kit Kat Birthday Cake will launch as a permanent offering next month. The celebratory twist on the crispy wafer snack combines flavored white crème with rainbow sprinkles and will be available in standard and king-size bars. The company is expanding its Jolly Ranchers Gummies line-up with new Lemonade Stand Flavors , including sour strawberry lemonade, sour cherry lemonade and sour lime lemonade. New Twizzlers Gummies offer a softer and chewier spin on the confectionery product and come in cherry and grape, cherry and peach and cherry and lemonade flavors.
The gummy products will debut nationwide next month alongside Ice Breakers Mint Crystal Gum, a new addition to the brand’s Ice Cubes line that offers a “sweeter minty flavor,” Ms. Mason said.
