Skittles Revs NASCAR Team
M/Mars' Skittles brand candies will sponsor a NASCAR Winston Cup auto racing team beginning with the 1997 season.
The Hackettstown, N.J.-based candy manufacturer unveiled its rainbow-painted Pontiac race car Oct. 6, just prior to the UAW-GM Quality 500 auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway here.
The tie-in will generate numerous in-store merchandising activities, as the NASCAR circuit visits markets throughout the country, said Michael Murphy, president of M&M/Mars.
The Skittles car, number 36, will make its debut in February's Daytona 500 race, with former Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope behind the wheel.
Hershey to Offer Pot of Gold
HERSHEY, Pa. -- Hershey Foods Corp. here is rolling out its first domestic boxed chocolate.
Hershey's Pot of Gold will be available nationally beginning next month. It will be on the market at least until February, and there is a chance it could be on the market until Mother's Day, according to a company spokeswoman.
The line will be available in six varieties: Premium Assortment, Caramels, Pecan Caramel Clusters, Almond Caramel Clusters, Truffles and All Nuts. Box sizes vary from 7 to 14.1 ounces. Each box will carry a suggested retail price of $3.95 to $8.95.
Walnettos Is Going for Bulk
CUDAHY, Calif. -- Walnettos here is introducing bulk versions of its caramel and walnut candy into supermarkets.
The old-fashioned candy is available nationwide in 3- and 5-pound bags designed for use in bulk candy areas. Each piece comes individually wrapped ready for display.
The candy was developed in the early 1920s by J.N. Collins Co. The company was absorbed by Peter Paul Candies in 1929, which then became part of Cadbury USA. In 1988, Sanford Licht purchased the rights to Walnettos.
Rugrats Line to Spread Out
CHICAGO -- Farley Foods here, in conjunction with the Nickelodeon television network, is expanding its line of Rugrats fruit snacks.
Rugrats fruit rolls are scheduled to be introduced in January. The suggested retail price has not been announced.
The fruit rolls follow Rugrats chewy fruit bits, launched earlier this year. The soft, chewy pieces are made with fruit and fortified with vitamins C and E and beta carotene. The bits, which are shaped like the characters on the TV show, come in sour lemon, blue raspberry, grape, cherry, orange and strawberry varieties.
Milky Way Lite a Heavy Hitter
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. -- M&M/Mars here announced that Milky Way Lite is now among America's Top 20 chocolate confections.
The 170-calorie candy bar ranks as No. 17 in food stores, according to information supplied to M&M/Mars by Information Resources Inc., Chicago. In its mini size, Milky Way Lite occupies the No. 8 position out of the possible 40 mini chocolate varieties that IRI monitors in supermarkets.
A trial motivating program will remain in place, though it will not be as strong as the original one accompanying the launch. Continued advertising, sampling and couponing will round out the program, according to John Cavaliere, senior marketing manager.
