Kyle’s Kwik Stop Corner Markets in east Texas is testing a new business model by emphasizing the local community. By Megan Wilkinson, Assistant Editor. On the outside, Kyle’s Kwik Stop’s latest store looks like a simple c-store. Yet, step inside the Longview, Texas unit and customers get a taste of the neighborhood from its breakfast [...]
Mars Inc. plans to sponsor the American Business Exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 2015, featuring the role of business and innovation in the U.S. from the mid-1700s to present. Mars supports the “American Enterprise” section, which will be located in the Mars Hall of American Business in recognition of the [...]
C-store retailers can prepare in advance for lovers and chocolate-fanatics flocking to stores Valentine’s Day to buy their family, friends and loved ones their favorite chocolate products with the help from Mars Chocolate North America. Consumers want a wide variety of choices during holidays. The company released a list of some items it plans to [...]
Mars meets 2011 milestone of 10% of total cocoa purchases certified while on track to buy over 20% certified cocoa in 2012. Mars Chocolate has made significant progress in just three years towards fulfilling its 2009 pledge to purchase its entire cocoa supply from certified sustainable sources by 2020. The company stated that it had [...]
Promotion In Motion Companies Inc., manufacturers and marketers of America’s favorite candy and fruit snacks brands for more than 30 years, announced the launch of its beloved confection brands in new, resealable, stand-up bag packaging. The packaging features a large portfolio of Promotion In Motion’s leading snacks, including Sour Jacks Watermelon, Sour Jacks Original, Sun-Maid [...]
Market researchers report that between 82% and 92% of Americans admit to indulging in chocolate candy. Even more important is the revelation that the majority of them do it at least once a month. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. Americans aren’t eating out as much as they used to, but they are eating more chocolate, [...]
Despite the continued economic doldrums, U.S. confectionery sales have grown at a pace of 4.2% annually and generate $29 billion in total sales, according to SymphonyIRI, a Chicago-based research firm. Jenn Elleck, of the National Confectioners Association (NCA), said the biggest misconception about selling candy is that candy sells itself. “Retailers don’t think they need [...]
2012 marks the third time Stansfield is recognized by NCA with previous wins 1994 and 2003. Rite Aid Category Manager Val Stansfield received the 2012 Confectionery Leadership Award from the National Confectioners Association (NCA), one of the oldest, most respected confection associations in the world. Awarded annually, recipients must demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviors in business [...]
Mars Chocolate is introducing Summer Movie Mania, a promotion set to run June-August 2012, that provides consumption incentives across retail channels during the summer movie months by helping customers save money at the movies and enjoy the breadth of the Mars Chocolate Brand. Six Mars Chocolate brands: Snickers, M&M’s, Twix, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way and [...]
Ms. Brown joins the ranks of M&M’S spokescandies. Mars Chocolate North America plans to reveal the sixth M&M’S character, Ms. Brown, in a sweet new ad during Super Bowl XLVI. Like all of her fellow M&M’S spokescandies, Ms. Brown has her own distinct personality, which is rooted in her wisdom, high intelligence and sharp wit. [...]
Space now being added to accommodate more manufacturers. AWMA’s 2012 Expo is sold out and space is being added to accommodate additional manufacturers at its annual convention and expo to be held Feb. 15 – 17, 2012, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. For the past three years, AWMA has been focused on reinventing [...]
General Mills is giving convenience store retailers a new twist on growing fruit and candy section sales with new Nature Valley Fruit Twists. A convenience channel exclusive, Nature Valley Fruit Twists are available in cherry and strawberry, provide two servings of fruit in each package, and are also 100% natural and gluten-free. At 1.27 ounces, [...]
Mars Foodservice presents the top-testing new candy bar launch from Mars in over three years: Snickers Brand Peanut Butter Squared, which combines peanuts, caramel, nougat, milk chocolate and peanut butter. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is quickly becoming a leader in the snack industry, making up more than 18% of the entire chocolate [...]
Avoiding common pitfalls and developing a merchandising plan can boost convenience store confectionery sales. By Heather Henstock, Contributing Editor. Keeping shelves full of customers’ favorite candy, gum and mint brands may seem like an obvious practice for convenience store category mangers. However, controlling out-of-stocks continues to be the top challenge for c-stores managing the candy [...]
Mars Chocolate North America’s iconic DOVE Brand Chocolate is set to be the first mainstream chocolate brand in the U.S. to bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal on its dark chocolate products. Beginning in the fall, DOVE Brand Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate will source 100% of its cocoa volume from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, and [...]