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Discover the latest product ideas making waves in the market. From intriguing concepts to amazing innovations, here are some highlights from our inbox that caught our eye.
New Sweethearts Phrases for Modern Romance
Sweethearts, the beloved Valentine’s Day candy, is introducing new phrases for its iconic heart-shaped candies to reflect the current economic challenges affecting relationships.
In response to the financial strain many people are facing, Sweethearts is including “Love in This Economy” messages on its conversation hearts. Phrases like “Split Rent,” “Share Logn,” and “Buy in bulk” will join classic sayings such as “Cutie Pie” and “Marry me” in Sweethearts boxes and bags.
Research from the candy brand shows that 75% of Americans are seeking more affordable dating options this year, with 80% indicating that the economy is impacting their Valentine’s Day plans.
“Sweethearts has always adapted to current dating trends and relationships, and being practical is the focus now,” said Evan Brock, vice president of marketing at Spangler Candy Company, the maker of Sweethearts. “That’s why some of the messages on our Sweethearts candies reflect a more realistic approach to love this year.”
Sweethearts has continuously introduced new and relevant phrases to its candy mixes to stay in tune with evolving dating trends.
In past years, the brand launched Situationship Boxes with hard-to-read candies inspired by Generation-Z relationships and Ghosted Sweethearts for Halloween, featuring all-white hearts with no messages.
Since being acquired by Spangler in 2018 and re-released two years later, the 122-year-old Sweethearts brand has experienced a significant increase in sales.
— Christopher Doering
Red Baron’s Fusion of Korean BBQ and Pizza
Red Baron is spicing up the frozen pizza aisle with a Korean BBQ twist.
CJ Schwan’s, the distributor of Korean food brand Bibigo in the U.S., is launching a limited-edition Red Baron & Bibigo Korean BBQ-Style Classic Crust Pizza. Available at Kroger in early February, this pizza features a blend of Korean BBQ sauce, marinated beef, carrots, and onions.
The collaboration aims to offer customers a unique culinary experience by combining the classic Red Baron pizza crust with the flavorful Korean BBQ-style ingredients from bibigo.
The frozen pizza category is ripe for innovation as consumers seek restaurant-quality meals at home without the hefty price tag. Brands like DiGiorno have introduced premium options, while others, like Tombstone, have embraced bold flavors and textures with creations like the Bar Snacks pizza.
Red Baron’s latest launch taps into unexpected flavors and partnerships, catering to the growing demand for globally-inspired tastes and collaborative products.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Life Savers x Sparkling Ice: Candy-Inspired Sparkling Waters
Life Savers, owned by Mars, has joined forces with Sparkling Ice to create a line of candy-inspired sparkling waters.
The Sparkling Ice Life Savers collection brings the vibrant colors and flavors of the iconic candies into sparkling water form. With sugar-free options and no artificial colors, the beverages come in wild cherry, pineapple, strawberry, and a limited edition green apple flavor.
Packaged in 17-ounce bottles resembling a Life Savers candy tube, these drinks offer a refreshing twist on familiar flavors.
The introduction of the green apple flavor represents a milestone for Sparkling Ice, as creating a natural green hue at scale has been a challenge for the brand. A vibrant blue color is also in the works for future releases.
Available at select retailers like Kroger, Publix, and Amazon, Sparkling Ice Life Savers aims to push the boundaries of the sparkling water category. Following the success of their collaboration with Starburst, Talking Rain sees a growing interest in blending popular candy brands with Sparkling Ice.
With flavored sparkling waters witnessing a surge in sales, the category continues to evolve as consumers seek healthier beverage options over sugary drinks.
— Laurel Deppen