Now that Halloween has come and gone, you might have wrongly assumed that candy season is over. Not if the Hershey Company anything to say about it. In fact, the sweets are just getting started.
On its first-annual holiday virtual preview this week, the confectionary company revealed four exciting new products and explained how the company is stocked and ready to make the hectic holiday season even sweeter.
Here’s what to know:
What new items does Hershey have up its sleeve?
Hershey announced four new treats that will hit shelves this holiday season:
- Hershey’s Kisses Snickerdoodle Cookie Candy
- Kit Kat Peppermint Stick
- Reese’s Mini Trees
- Hershey’s Grinch Milk Chocolate Bar
After extensive market research, Hershey discovered that a resounding 76% of people stated they would purchase a snickerdoodle-flavored option, and Hersey is obliging with new snickerdoodle Kisses. It’s the perfect topping for a cookie and there’s even a recipe right on the packaging. The gold wrapper also looks delightful in a candy dish.
Research also showed that mint is a popular flavor during the winter months. To capitalize on that trend, Kit Kat bars now have a peppermint version. These come in snack size, normal size, and king size to appease all hunger magnitudes.
Meanwhile, the classic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars are continuing their partnership with the Grinch, Dr. Seuss’s iconic Christmas hater. Popular characters such as Cindy Lou Who, Max, and the big-hearted green guy himself are molding into the chocolate making it extra festive.
Cheerful shapes are also here to stay. Reese’s Peanut Butter Trees, now available in a mini version, are a perfect tree trimming snack.
How Hershey became a confectionary powerhouse
These days, the name Hershey is almost synonymous with chocolate bars but the company actually started with caramel.
In 1886, Milton S. Hershey founded the Lancaster Caramel Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After attending the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, Hershey fell in love with chocolate and created the Hershey Chocolate Company as a subsidiary of his original company.
In 1900, he would sell the Lancaster Caramel Company but retain the chocolate side of the business. That same year, the first Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars were sold in an effort to make the confection affordable to the average person. Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses would make their debut seven years later.
In 1925, the Goodbar was introduced, and in 1963 Hershey acquired H.B. Reese Candy Company.
The Hershey Company today is the parent company for over 100 brands, including Jolly Rancher, Rolos, and SkinnyPop.
With a market cap of roughly $34 billion, the company reported net sales of $11.2 billion last year. And it’s not just about sweet treats. Hershey’s salty snacks unit in North America grew 10% in the third quarter of this year, generating $321 million.
It’s never too early
Hershey’s is ready for the big holiday shopping rush. In the preview event, the company explained that customers shop early because they are planning ahead, want a little treat for themselves, and don’t want to miss out on limited-edition items.
So if you were worried about missing the Halloween season, consider holiday sweets as just as satisfying. And as an added bonus, you get to create traditions around the confections that don’t require anything scary. Savor the sweetness of the season with Hershey’s many merry offerings.
