New items included in Peeps' 2022 spring lineup include a collaboration with Keurig that produced two Marshmallow Chicks varieties featuring The Original Donut Shop flavor. Other debuts include the Peeps Sparkly Wild Berry Flavored Marshmallow Bunnies and Peeps Marshmallow Egg Hunt pack containing individually wrapped miniature Chicks.

Utz Brands is expanding its direct store delivery network with the purchase of New York City-based Clem Snacks and J&D Snacks. Utz plans to seek additional mergers and acquisitions, as such activity has buoyed sales growth since the company went public in 2020, said CEO Dylan Lissette.

North American chocolate sales surpassed $23 billion last year with roughly 65% of US consumers citing chocolate as their favorite indulgence and 70% buying chocolate to celebrate a specific occasion, according to Barry Callebaut's 2022 Chocolate Trends report. Consumer interest in new chocolate formats and flavor combinations, as well as better-for-you varieties, will contribute to future growth, the report stated.

With record engagement and sales for Halloween, hopes are high for an equally strong winter holiday season, during which gifting and celebration have always been front and center. On Thursday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. ET, join NCA and 210 Analytics' Anne-Marie Roerink for NCA's 2021 Winter Holidays Sales Review, which will dive into how the 2021 winter holiday season stacked up and what drove consumers to purchase their favorite holiday treats. Register now.

Join NCA's Brian McKeon at the 2022 Western Candy Conference, March 16-20, in Scottsdale, Ariz. In a session aptly titled "Washington WTH," Brian will share his insider's perspective on what's happening in Washington during one of the most disruptive periods in modern history. What does it mean for the chocolate and candy industry? Register for the conference to find out.

Spangler Candy has entered into licensing agreements for its Sweethearts brand with the Crocs footwear company and Kellogg's Froot Loops cereal brand. Sweethearts-themed Crocs with Jibbitz charms will be sold online and in retail nationwide, and the Froot Loops Sweethearts "Spread Love Edition" featuring heart-shaped pieces is rolling out for a limited time.

A successful environmental, social and governance strategy requires prioritizing purpose, people and sustainability, according to Kellogg CEO Steve Cahillane. Businesses also need to continually innovate to make their products more sustainable and partner with organizations such as the Science Based Targets initiative and the Consumer Goods Forum to meet ESG goals, Cahillane wrote in a company blog post.

The continued rise in grocery prices and persistent supply chain and labor issues are reshaping shopping behavior as customers try to adapt to the shifting landscape, IRI's Krishnakumar Davey says. Davey explores the challenges facing the food retail industry and looks ahead to the future, predicting that the "long-term impact will be more and more automation."

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says several provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act should help alleviate supply chain bottlenecks, including an apprenticeship program to attract younger truck drivers, an advisory group reaching out to women in trucking and almost $20 billion to improve connectivity at commercial ports. Buttigieg also says that White House nominees for key positions in his department will be committed to improving transportation safety.