William A. Roberts, Jr.

Mars Inc. is expanding its candy icons further into ice cream treats. Snickers and Twix already are notable brands found in frozen cases in grocery and convenience stores, and set to join them are a pair of launches: one with Milky Way and another with the upscale Dove brand.

Just Born Inc., in launching Hot Tamales 3 Alarm and a new package for its Hot Tamales candy, performed some “lighthearted” research into the thoughts of young college students.

A McKinsey & Co. study finds consumers in Mexico have remained considerably more brand loyal than their American counterparts since the onset of the economic downturn. The poll of 2,200 shoppers from Mexico and 1,000 from America found 70% of the former had trimmed their spending since the beginning of the downturn. By comparison, only 45% of the latter had done so.

While the U.S. baked goods market might appear mature at first glance, further reflection finds a market rife with innovation. Manufacturers are meeting multiple trends, often at the same time, and new products attempt to merge current health demands with future consumer expectations.

As this issue goes to press, the U.S. is experiencing its worst drought in more than half a century, causing serious damage to the domestic corn crop, impacting yield prospects and even starting to factor in the prospects for soybean production.

Cereal and snack bars may have seen sales growth ebb and flow in recent years, but the segment has enjoyed significant new product development. Weight management, allergen concerns, and overall health and wellness have been at the forefront of efforts.

The younger demographic faces a world far different from that of its parents and prior generations. This group is embracing new philosophies and expectations for its foods and beverages, be it in schools, in restaurants or in the grocery aisles.