Meet Hershey’s New Candy Brand
Read more: http://business.time.com/2013/10/10/meet-hersheys-new-candy-brand/#ixzz2hchfnhh8
This week, Hershey announced the roll out of a new line of Lancaster-branded caramels, which will be available nationwide by early 2014. It’s the company’s first new candy brand in 30 years, though the U.S. isn’t the first country to get a taste. Earlier this year, the Lancaster brand was introduced in China, which is the world’s second largest market for sweets (Americans, we’re #1!).For the first time in three decades, an iconic American candy maker is introducing a new brand—and it’s a soft, sweet, rich blast from the past.
As the Hershey community archives reveal, the Lancaster launch is something of a return to the past. Milton Hershey didn’t actually start out focusing on what we now know his surname for: chocolate. Instead, Hershey created the Lancaster Caramel Company in 1886, and its caramels were sold in a variety of shapes, sizes, and neat product names:
When the new Lancaster Soft Cremes hit the marketplace in January 2014, the prices will be a bit higher than the 1800s-era products serving as their inspiration. Available in three varieties—caramel, vanilla and caramel, and vanilla and raspberry—they’ll sell in 8 oz. bags for $3.99, or in 4 oz. bags retailing at $2.49.
“The launch of Lancaster Soft Crèmes takes Hershey back to the early days of our founder Milton Hershey and his truly innovative spirit and desire to make great tasting, high-quality products for consumers,” Hershey executive Steven Schiller said via press release. “The Lancaster brand will delight all consumers looking for a rich and indulgent experience as they savor our new soft crèmes that are rooted in our company’s deep history.”
The Hershey Company’s website explains that it was born in 1894, when Milton Hershey decided it would be a good idea to take a more serious look at chocolate, which was then thought of mainly just as a coating for the big attraction, caramel. In 1900, Hershey began making milk chocolate bars, and the rest is history.
Read more: http://business.time.com/2013/10/10/meet-hersheys-new-candy-brand/#ixzz2hceXSAVp
