Opinion Blog | Candy Industry

Taking a trip on the adventurous side

Offering unique, global culinary experiences to share on social media key to engaging young consumers, Innova Market Insights reports.

Alyse Thompson

May 15, 2019

Offering unique, global culinary experiences to share on social media is key to engaging young consumers, Innova Market Insights reports.

When are fewer food recalls a bad thing?

A new Stericycle Expert Solutions report says the recent government shutdown meant fewer recalls. Here’s why that’s cause for concern.

Crystal Lindell

May 8, 2019

One of the most notable consequences of the federal government shutdown was that it led to fewer food recalls. Unfortunately, that wasn’t because the food being produced during that time was safer — it was because there was less oversight.

Demand for plant-based foods continues to grow

Dollar sales trending upward in 15 plant-based food categories, IRI reports.

Alyse Thompson

May 1, 2019

Interest in plant-based diets continues to sprout, giving food manufacturers and retailers a chance to cultivate shopper engagement and grow sales, Chicago-based research firm IRI says.

How Hershey is changing the candy industry

The Hershey Co. is changing the way candy is being sold, both in the store and online.

Crystal Lindell

April 24, 2019

Hershey is turning 125 years old in 2019, but it’s the company’s future that’s most interesting right now.

Gas station customers aren’t paying for candy with their phones — yet

New survey reveals that only 7 percent prefer to pay with a mobile app, but of those who do, 83 percent are satisfied with their experience.

Crystal Lindell

April 16, 2019

Only 7 percent of survey respondents said they prefer to pay with a mobile app at a gas station or a c-store — that’s according to an online survey by YouGov and ACI Worldwide, provider of real-time electronic payment and banking solutions.

Where does the FDA stand on CBD?

Agency to begin soliciting comment on safety of cannabis compounds.

Alyse Thompson

April 10, 2019

If you’re confused about the legal status of products made with cannabidiol — or CBD — you’re not alone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is trying to determine for itself how to regulate around CBD, announcing last week it would host a public hearing May 31.

Disruption 101: How to make brands stand out

Euromonitor white paper outlines strategies for rethinking markets and offering revolutionary products, services.

Alyse Thompson

April 3, 2019

According to a new white paper from Euromonitor, there are ways to move beyond innovation and into disruption, creating opportunities that didn’t exist before.

We need to reduce packaging — now

Whale found with more than 88 pounds of plastic in its stomach highlights urgency.

Crystal Lindell

March 27, 2019

Editor Crystal Lindell is hopeful the confectionery industry will respond with the creativity and ingenuity she knows it possesses when it comes to reducing packaging — because if it doesn’t, we all pay the price.

GRL PWR: How the all-female trio of Smarties co-presidents inspires Editor Crystal Lindell

Liz Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer, and Sarah Dee are real-life examples of the ways women are shaping the confectionery industry and the world.

Crystal Lindell

March 20, 2019

During a visit to Smarties Candy Co. co-presidents Liz Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer and Sarah Dee blew Editor Crystal Lindell away. It's still rare to see women in such high ranks in the confectionery industry, and Lindell was inspired not only by how they run the company, but also by how open they were about embracing the fact that they were, well, women.

How will Generation Z impact the food industry?

FONA International report highlights Gen Z consumers’ characteristics, market influence.

Alyse Thompson

March 13, 2019

They’re intelligent, they’re curious, and they’re savvy — they’re Generation Z, and they’ve got money to spend. That’s according to FONA International, which recently released a report outlining the group’s characteristics and spending power.