The Hershey Company has been the king of candy creations since its inception in 1894. Millions of sweets-loving fans have helped it become one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world.Â
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Although candy might be its forte and core business, Hershey entered the salty snack sector in 2015 when it acquired Krave premium jerky. This allowed it to expand its portfolio and continue diversifying offerings to attract new consumers and boost sales.
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The company now owns over 90 renowned snack and confectionery brands, including SkinnyPop, Jolly Rancher, Reese’s, and more.
Hershey’s launches the new Reese’s Filled Pretzels, a combination of two hugely popular flavors.
Image source: The Hershey Company
Hershey’s salty snacks are preferred by consumers over its candy
One thing that’s certain is that Americans love snacks. This is reflected in Hershey’s latest earnings, since its North American salty snack business has proven more successful than its candy sector over the last few years.
In the company’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 earnings report, North American salty snacks sales increased 36% compared to the year prior, with confectionery reporting a smaller growth of 6%.Â
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Considering Americans’ love for peanut butter, it may come as no surprise that Reese’s is one of the top-selling chocolates in the U.S., ranking among the company’s most-loved products.
Because Hershey (HSY)  knows how much fans love its salty snacks and Reese’s peanut butter cups, it decided to mix the two in an unexpected manner to develop an iconic new treat.
Reese’s launch a new snack combination amid a slowdown in candy sales
Reese’s has recently launched the new Reese’s Filled Pretzels, which feature crunchy, salty pretzels that are filled to the brim with Reese’s peanut butter to provide the ultimate flavor combination.
This new snack is available for purchase nationwide at nearly all retailers and online via its official website. Customers can enjoy Reese’s Filled Pretzels in various versions, including a 5-ounce bag that’s handy when on the go, 9-ounce pouches for longer snack breaks, or an 18-ounce jar for larger groups to enjoy.
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This exciting new product launch comes as Hershey faces a slowdown in sales, having reported flat growth in its North American Confectionery business for the full year of 2024 compared to the year prior. This represents a huge hit in the company’s revenue, since the U.S. is its most profitable client.
Combining its powerful salty snack portfolio with its beloved Reese’s brand could potentially be the innovation the company needs to boost sales in its confectionery sector. It could also foreshadow more salty snack and confectionery mashups in the near future.
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