#USA #Hershey's #Jolly Rancher #Chicago, IL #REESE'S OREO

The Hershey Company Unveils Exciting New Products at 2025 NACS Show

The Hershey Company is set to make waves at the upcoming 2025 NACS Show Expo in Chicago, scheduled for October 15-17, where they will present a variety of innovative products alongside their growth strategies in the convenience channel. This year, the spotlight will shine on the much-anticipated Reese's OREO® Cup, a delightful fusion of two beloved brands—peanut butter cups intermingled with OREO® cookie crumbs. This new product is on track to become one of the most successful launches for Reese’s.

Featured Innovations

Among the array of exciting new items, several stand out due to their unique flavors and innovative concepts:

• - Reese's OREO® Cup: This creamy blend combines milk chocolate and white crème, resulting in a product that captures the taste of America’s favorite candy and cookie brands, expected to significantly boost sales for the company.
• - Jolly Rancher Ropes Tropical Flavor: Expanding the Jolly Rancher Ropes range, these chewy ropes feature a juicy center with a luscious fruit punch and mango pairing, tapping into the robust growth of the candy sector.
• - Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies: In collaboration with basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, these sneaker-shaped gummies offer flavors like strawberry, mango, and lime, contributing to the rapid growth of the Shaq-A-Licious brand since its launch.
• - Dot's Homestyle Pretzels Buffalo Flavor: Known as the number one pretzel franchise in convenience stores, Dot's is making waves with its new buffalo flavor, adding to its impressive growth of 16.4% over the last year.
• - SkinnyPop Popcorn: With a reformulated recipe enhancing both the White Cheddar and Butter flavors, this product maintains its standing as the number two branded popcorn in convenience stores while emphasizing clean ingredients.

Growth in Salty Snacks and Sweets

Sales in the salty snacks category have increased by 9.5% year-to-date, helped notably by Hershey's brands like Pirate’s Booty Puffs, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, and SkinnyPop Popcorn. Notably, Jolly Rancher and Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies are leading the charge in the non-chocolate sweets category with a reported growth of 23.2% in 2025.

The Impact of Bundling and Promotions

Hershey's data indicates that over 60% of shoppers buy into foodservice bundles at convenience stores, with noticeable participation in sweet items. Notably, regular-sized candy bars yield a staggering 92% promotional lift during campaigns. These concise yet effective promotional strategies have benefited sales numbers, showcasing how product bundling encourages greater purchases and can enhance overall basket sizes.

Executive Insights

Tiffany Menyhart, Chief Customer Officer of The Hershey Company, commented, “We collaborate closely with our retail partners to make each shopper interaction impactful. With thoughtful product innovation based on consumer trends, we enable retailers to offer a more extensive selection and boost sales.”

Strategies for Retailers

To optimize the convenience store landscape, Hershey suggests:

• - Optimize Assortments: Stocking SKUs that yield the highest sales, alongside effective merchandising practices, ensures that the products available resonate with customer preferences.
• - Fast-track Sweets Innovations: Leveraging the success of brands like Jolly Rancher and the newly incorporated Sour Strips enhances their market appeal, particularly among younger demographics.
• - Implement EDM Strategies: The Everyday Multiples (EDM) initiative encourages shoppers to purchase multiple units of low-cost items, using clear displays to maximize visibility and effectiveness in driving sales.

NACS Show Expo Details

The NACS Show will occur in Chicago, IL, from October 15-17, 2025, where Hershey will showcase its exciting new offerings at booth #S5706. This event is an excellent opportunity for retailers to explore Hershey's latest innovations and discuss robust strategies that leverage market trends for enhanced performance in their stores.

In conclusion, The Hershey Company continues to build on its legacy by pioneering innovation in product offerings and optimizing retail strategies, ensuring that consumers have delightful experiences while maximizing convenience store sales. As they prepare for the NACS Show, all eyes will be on how these advancements unfold in the competitive landscape of the snack industry.