New Vending And Micromarket Sweets From Mars Focus On Wellness And Convenience

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ -- Mars Chocolate North America plans to introduce a variety of new products throughout the balance of 2015. They're designed to address consumer demand for healthier, unique flavor combinations and eat-on-the-go appeal.

Goodnessknows Snack Squares, available in July, combine dark chocolate with whole nuts, real fruits, toasted oats and dark chocolate into "snackable" squares, four per serving. The 150-calorie snack contains no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Each serving contains 100mg. of naturally occurring cocoa flavanols. Goodnessknows squares are available in three flavors: cranberry almond, apple almond & peanut, and peach & cherry almond, all featuring Mars's dark chocolate. The suggested retail price range for the 1.2-oz. bars is $1.59 to $1.99.

Mars said Goodnessknows snack squares will help grow the "chocolate for snacking" category. "Consumers seek permissible indulgence in their snacking options and are looking for satisfying options that pair chocolate with delicious, feel-good ingredients," the candy giant said.

Also launching in July is Milky Way Marshmallow with Caramel Bar-Limited Edition, which enrobes marshmallow nougat in a layer of caramel and is, in turn, enrobed in creamy milk chocolate. The suggested retail price range is $1.09 to $1.39.

Slated for November release are several new products, including a novel M&M's package. M&M's To-Go Bottles are recloseable containers adorned with the faces of M&M's characters Red and Yellow. They will be available filled with 3-1/2 oz. of M&M's plain or peanut styles, and have a suggested $2.50 to $3.50 retail price range.

Also for a limited time, beginning in November, Snickers Mixed Nuts Bar will hit the market. This is a 1.76-oz. bar featuring a mix of peanuts, almonds and hazelnuts, combined with signature Snickers caramel and nougat, enrobed in creamy milk chocolate. The suggested retail price range is $1.09 to $1.39.

Another November introduction is Combos Sweet & Salty Chocolate Fudge Pretzel, a salty, crunchy pretzel shell filled with creamy fudge. The sweet-and-savory flavor combination follows the 2014 launch of Combos Caramel Crème Pretzel and Combos Vanilla Frosting Pretzel. The 6-oz. peg bag will carry a suggested $2.29 retail price.

Micromarket operators will also have a flexible new merchandising option with the M&M's Single Face Carton, which displays the popular M&M's character Red and can be merchandised on a shelf, wall or counter. This versatility suits it for front-end expansion of other items, such as M&M's Minis tubes. The smaller design also frees up four additional inches of shelf space, and the new carton offers a reduced count -- from 48 to 36 -- improving shelf life by six weeks.

Milky Way Midnight Bar, rounding out the product launches in December, will be available in a "2 To Go" sharing size. The Milky Way line extension combines caramel and vanilla-flavored nougat, coated in dark chocolate. The wrapper is formed of "memory" film designed to tightly reseal remaining candy simply by twisting. The 2.83-oz. pack is recommended for retail at $1.69 to $1.99.