Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, Chicago, used last fall’s National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) annual show to introduce more than 20 new confection and snack items.

“Mars Wrigley Confectionery is more focused than ever on delivering on-trend product innovation, production and packaging that drive sales and grow the total category,” said Timothy LeBel, president of sales for Mars Wrigley Confectionery. “We have our pulse on what motivates consumers to make a purchase, including health and wellness preferences, wanting to moderately indulge, or the desire to try a unique flavor.”

The news includes a shift for the goodnessKNOWS bar line, which will be expanded beyond the traditional fruit and nut offerings. Joining the line in 2018 are six savory flavors that officials describe as more of a balance between sweet and salty. With less than 150 calories per single pack, each flavor is designed to provide 10% to 15% of a consumer’s recommended nutrient needs, without added calories, added sugars or sodium. 

New varieties include Peanut Butter Crunch, Nut & Sea Salt, Maple Cinnamon & Almond, Honey Almond Bourbon Vanilla, Mocha & Almond, and Oats Raisins & Almond.

Still more new offerings include SNICKERS Hunger Bars, which will debut three new flavors in 2018 for a limited time as part of a Hunger Bars promotion. New varieties will include SNICKERS Espresso, Fiery, or Salty & Sweet. 

Outside packaging notes that each flavor has a hunger symptom related to the bar’s flavor Espresso: Irritable; Salty & Sweet: Indecisive; Fiery: Wimpy.