Consumables

GREENWICH, Conn. — Back to Nature Foods Company on Monday announced that it has acquired SnackWell's, a cookie and snack business, from Mondelez Global. The terms and conditions of the deal were not disclosed.

GREENWICH, Conn. — Brynwood Partners V on Friday announced that it is selling its investment in DeMet’s Candy Company for $221 million to Yildiz Holdings A.S., the owner of Godiva, a chocolate brand. The transaction is expected to close in January 2014. 



PURCHASE, N.Y. — U.S. retail sales reportedly rose 3.5% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. According to data from MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, sales of holiday-related categories, such as clothing, electronics and luxury goods, rose 2.3%, after rising 0.7% in 2012.

DALLAS — Skimpy Mixers, a new drink mixer, will be available Dec. 26 to Jan. 2 at select Walmart locations across the nation as part of a limited-time only promotional launch. The mixers are made with real fruit juices and are low in sugar content and calories. The product will officially launch in February.

The company’s founders first came up with the idea while attending a friend’s Bachelorette pool party. They loved the drinks that were being served and were surprised that they couldn't taste the alcohol content. 

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars will launch a new M&M flavor in May, M&M’s Brand Birthday Cake Chocolate Candies. The flavor “symbolizes family celebrations, so we think it’s a great fit with our M&M’s brand,” said Larry Lupo, Mars Chocolate North America’s VP sales for convenience and drug channels. The milk chocolate infused with birthday cake flavored candies will be available in a 1.4-oz. single pack for $1.09 and an 8-oz. stand-up-pouch for $2.99.

Consumers never tire of candy. Euromonitor data indicates that U.S. dollar sales for chocolate increased 19% between 2007 and 2012, and non-chocolate sales were up 17%. Euromonitor and the National Confectioners Association expect solid growth in the next five years, with the category “adding more than $6 billion in sales between 2013 and 2018.”

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey Co. is launching the Lancaster brand in January — the first time the company has launched a new brand that’s not a brand extension or acquisition in the past 30 years. The first line to launch will be Lancaster Soft Cremes soft caramels.

Lancaster Soft Cremes will be available in three flavors — caramel, vanilla and caramel, and vanilla and raspberry — in 8-oz. bags for $3.99 and 4-oz. bags that retail for $2.49.