Can infant formula catch up to breast milk?
A new generation of infant formula that recreates the immune, digestive and developmental benefits of human milk is creating regulatory challenges
Archives for May 28, 2026
East meets West: How AI and social commerce are reshaping the future of retail
Social commerce and agentic AI are colliding to create a new commerce paradigm – and NielsenIQ says manufacturers and retailers need to get ahead of it now
Walmart leads but Costco and Dollar General are gaining ground with shoppers
New data from Placer.ai reveals shifting shopper dynamics among the top four big-box chains – and what it means for CPG brands navigating an increasingly consolidated retail landscape
Mars taps reality TV for experiential M&M’s push
Confectionery brands are ditching traditional ads for immersive experiences as culture‑led campaigns reshape how sweets engage shoppers
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
What’s driving the new era of chewing gum?
Function, flavor and fun continue to drive gum’s trajectory within the broader confectionery space
Letter from the editor
The new candy aisle: Where wellness meets whimsy
Consumers are demanding cleaner labels and functional benefits from confectionery, but taste, texture and fun still rule, creating opportunities for brand to balance better-for-you innovation with indulgence
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
Can candy revive RTD tea?
Candy-inspired nostalgia could give RTD tea a much-needed spark, as brands like Ryl Tea use confectionery flavors to attract younger, health-conscious consumers into the category
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
Mondelēz’s Hu Chocolate takes premium, paleo-friendly bites to Target
Co-founder Jordan Brown says the brand’s retail expansion proves clean-label ingredients and premium indulgence are no longer niche consumer demands
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
Cargill joins alternative chocolate race with Barry Callebaut and Nestlé amid cocoa volatility
By upcycling grape seeds, Cargill’s new NextCoa offers CPG brands a vegan, allergen-free option as major manufacturers hedge against soaring cocoa costs
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you and indulgence
Barry Callebaut bets on cocoa-free chocolate
The launch of ChoViva in North America at the Sweets & Snacks Expo last week reflects a growing push to diversify beyond traditional cocoa amid climate and pricing pressures
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
Cracks in chocolate’s ‘affordable luxury’ status could signal broader shopper shifts
Chocolate is still growing in dollars, but the real story is what unit declines and demographic shifts may reveal about changing confection preferences
Energy drink trends: US startup PHX blends hydration and energy
Florida-based functional drinks firm PHX has launched a hydration-energy drink designed to meet growing demand for multifunctional beverages