At the 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo, The Hershey Company showcased a dynamic lineup of new chocolate, candy, and salty snack innovations alongside a revamped consumer-focused packaging strategy designed to meet evolving shopper expectations.
Highlights included caramel-filled 'Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars,' 'Reese’s PB&J Big Cups' in strawberry and grape, and the limited-edition 'Hershey’s Kisses Cinnamon Toast Crunch™.' The brand also expanded its salty snack and novelty candy offerings with products like 'Reese’s Filled Pretzels' and 'Jolly Rancher Chewy Poppers.' Shaquille O’Neal’s sneaker-shaped 'Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies' made a standout return, while the acquisition of 'Sour Strips' signaled a continued focus on bold-flavored growth.
Packaging innovations took center stage with Hershey’s transition to stand-up snack-size bags and multipacks -- designed to increase visibility, convenience, and value for retailers and consumers alike.
Image Credit: The Hershey Company
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Personalized Product Offerings
- Companies are increasingly focusing on curated product assortments tailored to individual consumer preferences, as evidenced by Hershey's diverse lineup at the expo.
- Innovative Packaging Solutions
- Hershey's new packaging strategy, featuring stand-up bags and multipacks, highlights the trend towards packaging that enhances product visibility and consumer convenience.
- Health-conscious Confectionery
- The growth in novelty and bold-flavored treats like the limited-edition high-flavor 'Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies' underscores a broader demand for unique, indulgent yet mindful snacking options.
Where This Applies
- Confectionery Industry
- The confectionery sector is poised for transformation with companies adopting consumer-oriented innovations in both product development and packaging.
- Packaging Industry
- With the shift towards consumer-centric designs such as stand-up bags, the packaging industry is experiencing a wave of innovation centered around convenience and product visibility.
- Retail Industry
- Retail markets are adapting to changing consumer behaviors by leveraging new product formats and packaging innovations to enhance in-store and online shopping experiences.
