Confections and snacks compete for the same share-of-stomach, but are considered separate categories. 2016 saw the lines between the two areas blur as confection innovation picked up taste, texture, and ingredient cues from snacks.
The term “snackfection” described Hershey’s Snack Bites, Reese’s Snack Mix, and Payday Snack Bites – a trio of launches at the “intersection of snacking and confection.” The trio blended candy ingredients with pretzels, nuts, peanuts, and almonds to capitalize on “sweet snacking” opportunities.