Frito-Lay has added the Kettle Cooked Buffalo Chicken Dip variety to its Lay's Tailgate Faves potato chip collection. The flavor is available exclusively for now in 1.375-ounce bags at Subway restaurants.

The American Licorice Co. is working to overcome packaging, labor, ingredient and other supply chain shortages to meet growing retail demand during the busy holiday season, said Kristi Shafer, vice president of marketing. "It's such a challenge right now to get ingredients [that] we are paying double, triple quadruple just to get things, so we don't run out of candy," said Shafer.

Candy brands are likely to ramp up innovation next year for the convenience channel, with the chocolate and gummy categories expected to see continued growth, writes Howard Riell. The gum and mint category is also expected to rebound next year and beyond after lower sales this year, writes Riell.

Mars Wrigley plans to lead category sales growth in international travel retail post-pandemic by expanding its share-size and gift offerings, prompting more impulse buys via checkout and cross-category displays and "creating fun and memorable travel experiences," said Raghav Rekhi, category director, Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail. Product debuts next year will include limited-edition and permanent additions to its travel tablet line.

In a new research report conducted by 210 Analytics and made financially possible by the Fine Chocolate Industry Association and Barry Callebaut USA, NCA provides an in-depth look at consumer perceptions, attitudes and behaviors regarding everyday, premium and fine chocolate selections. The report, titled Getting to Know Chocolate Consumers 2021, is available to all NCA member companies along with a set of shareable infographics.

Over the past few weeks, Washington Forum @ Home participants have been meeting with lawmakers' offices to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the confectionery industry. Interested NCA member companies still have the opportunity to register for Washington Forum @ Home's Networking Hour, which will connect attendees to spark fun, digital connections.

This infographic from Facebook Marketplace offers insights into Halloween trends, including that one in five pet owners dress up their fluffy friends, and trending Halloween-related keywords include decorations, lights, costumes and makeup. In addition, 57% of Halloween shoppers will continue to buy decorations after the holiday and some of the top costume searches are for Wonder Woman, Batman, vampire and witch.

Conagra's Slim Jim brand is debuting Dogecoin-themed merchandise for a limited time at dogedrip.co and donating sales proceeds to hunger relief nonprofit World Central Kitchen. The campaign follows the brand's nonfungible token sale earlier this year that resulted in a $26,000 donation to the charity.

Nine in 10 consumers say they will shop via mobile apps this holiday season with 73% using mobile to buy at least half of their gifts, while 45% will do more web-based shopping, according to Bluedot's 2021 Holiday Habits report conducted by SurveyMonkey. "The fight for share of wallet will not happen at brick-and-mortar, but digitally this year," said Bluedot Chief Marketing Officer Judy Chan.