Hershey’s Kissables were a chocolate candy sold by The Hershey Company from 2005 to 2009. Comparable to M&M’s, Hershey Kissables were shaped like miniature Hershey’s Kisses and were coated in a thick sugar shell. The basic colors were red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.
The candy was marketed as a fun and colorful alternative to M&M’s, with the slogan “A colorful way to enjoy your chocolate.” Despite the initial hype, Hershey’s Kissables failed to gain the same level of popularity as M&M’s, and they were discontinued in 2009.
Today, Hershey’s Kisses remain one of the most popular chocolate candies in the world, with a history dating back to 1907. With their distinctive conical shape and lightweight aluminum foil wrapping, Hershey’s Kisses have become a beloved symbol of American candy culture.
Origins of Hershey’s Kissables
Concept and Development
Hershey Kissables were introduced by The Hershey Company in 2005. The concept of Kissables was to create a candy that was similar to M&M’s but with a Hershey’s Kiss shape. The candy was coated in a thick sugar shell, and the basic colors were red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.
The development of Kissables took years of research and development. Hershey’s food scientists worked tirelessly to perfect the candy’s recipe and shape. The candy’s unique shape was designed to be similar to Hershey’s Kisses, but smaller and more bite-sized.
Launch Year
Hershey’s Kissables were launched in 2005 to a lot of fanfare. The candy was marketed as a fun and delicious snack that was perfect for sharing. The candy quickly became popular with consumers, and it was even featured in several movies and TV shows.
Despite the initial success of Kissables, the candy was discontinued in 2009. The Hershey Company cited low sales as the reason for the discontinuation of Kissables. However, the candy remains a beloved part of Hershey’s history and is still remembered fondly by many candy lovers.
Design and Packaging
Hershey’s Kissables are known for their colorful candy coating and distinctive shape. The candy coating is made up of a variety of colors, including red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, and blue 1. These colors are used to make the candy more visually appealing and attractive to consumers. The distinctive shape of Hershey’s Kissables is that of a small, round candy with a pointed top. This shape is unique to Hershey’s Kissables and helps to differentiate them from other types of candy.
Colorful Candy Coating
The colorful candy coating on Hershey’s Kissables is one of the most recognizable features of the candy. The bright colors are meant to catch the eye of consumers and make the candy more appealing. The candy coating is made up of several different colors, which are carefully selected to create a visually appealing product. The colors used in the candy coating are also carefully chosen to match the flavors of the candy inside.
Distinctive Shape
The distinctive shape of Hershey’s Kissables is another key feature of the candy. The small, round shape with a pointed top is instantly recognizable to consumers. The shape is also functional, as it makes the candy easy to handle and eat. The pointed top of the candy is also a nod to the original Hershey’s Kisses, which have a similar shape. The shape of Hershey’s Kissables has become iconic and is instantly associated with the candy.
Marketing Strategies
Target Audience
Hershey’s Kissables were introduced in 2005 as a colorful and bite-sized version of their classic Hershey’s Kisses. The target audience for Kissables was primarily children and young adults who were looking for a fun and playful candy. The candy’s bright colors and small size were designed to appeal to this demographic.
Advertising Campaigns
Hershey’s Kissables were launched with a major advertising campaign that included television commercials, print ads, and online promotions. The ads featured young people enjoying the candy in various settings, such as at a party or while hanging out with friends. The tagline for the campaign was “Unleash the Fun,” which emphasized the candy’s playful nature.
Hershey’s also partnered with popular social media influencers and bloggers to promote Kissables to their followers. This helped to create a buzz around the candy and generate interest among the target audience.
Overall, Hershey’s marketing strategies for Kissables were successful in reaching their target audience and establishing the candy as a fun and playful addition to their product line.
Evolution of the Product
Hershey’s Kissables have evolved since their introduction in 2005. Here are some of the changes that have taken place over the years.
Recipe Changes
In 2007, the Hershey Company began to change the ingredients of some of its products to replace the relatively expensive cocoa butter with cheaper fats. This included Hershey’s Kissables, which had previously contained cocoa butter. The ingredient changes were made to reduce production costs. However, this led to a decline in the quality of the product, and it was not well received by consumers.
Size Variations
Hershey’s Kissables were originally sold in small, round, candy-coated chocolate pieces. However, the company later introduced larger, heart-shaped Kissables. These were marketed as a Valentine’s Day product, and were available in pink and red candy coatings. The heart-shaped Kissables were also sold in a larger bag than the original round Kissables.
Overall, Hershey’s Kissables have undergone several changes since their introduction. Some changes, such as the introduction of heart-shaped Kissables, were well received by consumers. However, other changes, such as the ingredient changes, were not as successful. Despite these changes, Hershey’s Kissables remain a popular candy product among consumers.
Market Performance
Sales Milestones
Hershey’s Kissables were first introduced in 2005 as a direct competitor to M&M’s. The candy was shaped like miniature Hershey’s Kisses and coated in a thick sugar shell. The basic colors were red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. Holiday versions were also made in pastels for Easter, pink and white for Valentine’s Day, and red and green for Christmas.
The candy quickly gained popularity among consumers, especially children, due to its fun shape and colorful appearance. In 2006, Hershey’s Kissables generated $50 million in sales, making it one of the most successful candy launches in recent history.
Discontinuation and Consumer Response
Despite its initial success, Hershey’s Kissables were discontinued in 2009, only four years after their launch. The reason for the discontinuation is not entirely clear, but some speculate that it was due to a decline in sales and competition from other candy brands.
The public’s reaction to the discontinuation of Hershey’s Kissables was mixed. Some were disappointed and nostalgic, while others were not as fond of the candy and did not miss it. However, it is clear that Hershey’s Kissables had a significant impact on the candy market during its brief run.
In conclusion, Hershey’s Kissables were a popular candy that gained a following due to their unique shape and colorful appearance. While they were ultimately discontinued, their impact on the candy market cannot be denied.
Cultural Impact
Holiday Associations
Hershey’s Kissables have become a staple in many households during the holiday season. Their small, colorful appearance makes them perfect for decorating gingerbread houses and filling up stockings. In addition, Hershey’s Kissables have been a popular addition to Easter baskets due to their pastel color assortment.
In Popular Media
Hershey’s Kissables have also made appearances in popular media. They were featured in the 2007 film “Transformers” as a snack eaten by the character Mikaela Banes. Additionally, Hershey’s Kissables have been mentioned in various television shows such as “The Office” and “The Big Bang Theory”.
Overall, Hershey’s Kissables have left a lasting impression on popular culture. Their unique shape and colorful appearance have made them a popular choice for holiday decorations and a recognizable snack in popular media.
Competitors and Industry Influence
Hershey’s Kissables were introduced in 2005 as a direct competitor to M&M’s, which had been dominating the candy-coated chocolate market for decades. The Kissables were marketed as a smaller version of Hershey’s Kisses, with a candy shell coating and a chocolate center. Despite the similarities, the Kissables failed to gain traction in the market, with many consumers preferring the established M&M’s.
The Hershey Company struggled to keep up with the competition and decided to change the Kissables’ formula in 2007, resulting in disaster. The new recipe called for cheaper ingredients instead of the more expensive cocoa butter, leading to a lower-quality product that was less appealing to consumers. The public’s swift rejection of the lower-quality product proved that Hershey could not nickel-and-dime its customers into enjoying the Kissables.
The failure of the Kissables highlights the importance of quality ingredients in the candy industry. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for high-quality chocolate products, and companies that try to cut corners to save costs often end up with products that are inferior and less appealing to consumers. As such, the Kissables’ failure serves as a cautionary tale for other companies looking to enter the competitive candy market.