Sean Modd’s Post

🍫 Easter is upon us and no doubt many of you will be either giving and/or receiving a chocolate egg or two. They are such an integral part of Easter for many of us. It was back in 1873 that Fry's created the first chocolate Easter egg in the UK. Whilst solid chocolate eggs had been around for some time in the rest of Europe it was Fry's who figured out how to make hollow eggs - what great innovation! Unsurprisingly they were hugely popular so competitors like Cadbury UK wanted to get in on this success and launched their own 2 years later. And if you're wondering why chocolate eggs used to have the 'crocodile scale' design it was actually to hide any cracks and blemishes - brilliant idea! All food trends have to start somewhere and the chocolate egg of course was a fabulous spin from the previous tradition of hard boiling eggs and painting them🥚 Happy Easter! 🐰 Challenge assumptions. Talk to Hummingbird Insights #marketresearch #consumerbehavior #innovation #foodandrink #chocolate

How did Cadbury’s re-conquer the corner shop? The creator of the Dairy Milk is this year celebrating its 200th year of existence from its usual perch at the top of Britain’s chocolate industry. Cadbury’s sales, excluding those made in discounters, rose by 10.7% to £2.1bn last year, according to the researcher Nielsen. Fresh growth has been fuelled by a steady stream of new products, from Creme Egg bars to a nutty praline Dairy Milk. After more than 100 launches since the takeover, Cadbury now boasts more than 630 products. Shopkeepers with displays resembling a “wall of purple” — so-called because of Cadbury’s signature purple packaging — are rewarded with discounts or free cases of chocolate. Yet as the nation unwraps its Easter eggs this year Cadbury and the rest of the chocolate industry are facing a daunting future. Free chocolate for vendors is only one of the ways this 200-year-old brand has stayed on top. But can it keep customers sweet while cutting the sugar?

Does the shape of food change it's taste? About 15 years ago I had disagreement with friend about the different tastes of pasta shapes. I was adamant that all pasta shapes taste the same and my friend was certain that they each taste very different. Many years later I've discovered that I was very probably on the loosing side. 😳 In 2013 Cadbury's changed the size and shape of the Dairy Milk bar. People were up in arms and the complaints came flooding in. The new bars tasted different - they were much sweeter. Cadbury's were baffled; "We have been very clear and consistent that we have not changed the recipe of the much-loved Cadbury Dairy Milk, although it’s certainly true that we changed the chunk last year from the old, angular shape to one that’s curved.” So what was happening? It turns out that the change in shape altered our perception of taste - rounder shapes actually taste sweeter than sharper shapes. (Spence, 2013) And rounder shapes also produces a different sensory experience which also makes things sweeter. So both sides were right. The mix hadn't changed, but the chocolate tasted sweeter. So apologies to Matt. 🍝 Has anyone experienced this? #menudevelopment #menuengineering #fooddevelopment #chocolate #pasta #whydoesanyonerememberanarguementaboutpastashapesfor15years?

*TRIGGER WARNING* Mentions chocolate. Aha, 'a nice Cadbury Wispa chocolate pot' I thought. The familiar purple packaging was like a beacon of trust - I knew what I was going to get, the quality, the flavour. Except, I didn't. From the moment I touched the pot, and felt the packaging, a foreboding sense of doom started to circle as I realised that this wasn't the chocolate delight I was hoping for. As I dug in, I was confirmed - I could have bought a supermarket's own brand version for less than half the price, and it would have tasted the same. So next time, avoid the Cadbury Wispa pots and just grab the cheapest ones you can. Because at least you'll be expecting those ones to taste of bland fuzzy mousse with a hint of fake chocolate. ----- The moral? Make sure your product lives up to the marketing hype. Some products you can make look really nice and heighten the experience for the customer. Others, you can't. #marketing #chocolate

**Tried Cola Bottle Shaped Freeze-Dried Candies? They're Changing the Game! 🚀🍬** In the ever-evolving confectionery market, cola bottle shaped freeze-dried candies are the newest sensation! Transforming the classic, much-loved flavor into a crunchy, novel experience, these candies are reshaping expectations. Ideal for wholesalers, online retailers, and brick-and-mortar stores aiming to spice up their inventory, these unique treats promise an innovative edge over standard offerings. With their enhanced shelf life and intriguing texture, they're not just candies; they're conversation starters. Elevate your product range with these standout snacks and captivate your customers like never before. For those looking to lead the pack in the confectionery industry, stocking up on these futuristic sweets is a bold move towards that goal. Discover the taste that's sparking conversations across the globe. #ColaCandyRevolution #FreezeDriedInnovation #ConfectioneryTrends

Celebrate Summer with Mangoes: The Perfect Gift! Summer is here, and so is the king of fruits - the mango! This juicy delight holds a special place in our hearts. Unlike any other fruit, mangoes are often gifted to friends and family, symbolizing joy and celebration. Have you ever seen people gifting other fruits? Probably not, except maybe when visiting someone who’s sick. But mangoes are different; they’re all about sharing happiness. This got me thinking - why don’t MAZZA Cocacola Now and SLICE PepsiCo market themselves as perfect gifts, like Cadbury does with chocolates? Imagine receiving a beautifully packaged box of mango juice. Wouldn’t that be amazing? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this idea! This is my first LinkedIn article, and I’m excited to see your comments. #SummerSeason #MangoLove #KingOfFruits #GiftIdeas #ShareJoy #MangoSeason #MAZZA #SLICE #Pepsico #Cocacola #FoodGifts #FruitGifts #CelebrateSummer #JuiceLovers #InnovationInGifting #FirstLinkedInArticle #FoodForThought #Marketing

Ever heard of the "lipstick index?" While this economic phenomenon is prevalent in the beauty industry, food manufacturers and retailers would be wise to note its implications for categories like snacks, specialty coffee, and even premium spirits. Consider how your strategy can include a mix of affordable luxury and aspirational treats that encourage trial and support long-term relevancy. For example, Walmart’s recent display of Melinda’s mini hot sauces showcases a premium treat that is both convenient and covetable, as exemplified by this video from a TikTok "snackfluencer": https://ow.ly/uN5C50Qu48K #consumerinsights #value #foodandbeverage #foodindustry

HPGSpotted: Swapping Duncan Hines for Dolly. Are Celebrity Collabs more powerful than brands? In these days of social media and voracious fandom, celebrity collabs may just have the edge. Two years ago, Conagra announced a deal with Dolly Parton to collaborate on Duncan Hines, a classic American brand with a long history in the baking category. But now, Conagra has pivoted to create a Dolly Parton-only line, starting with Buttermilk Pancake Mix with more items planned for later this year. Collabs have become one of the hottest trends in new product innovation. To learn more about how we can help find the right idea for your brand and bring it to life, please reach out to to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #hydeparkgroup #foodinnovation #brandcollabs

Saw this multibuy from Mondelēz International in-store recently. Weight of purchase and discount level are hot topics, especially in confec. So, an important question - how likely are shoppers in your category to consume more when they buy more..? Here's the top-ranked categories according to Aussie shoppers: 1 - Kid's confec 2 - Cream biscuits 3 - Bakery snacks 4 - *Choc bags* 5 - Sweet/plain biscuits ⬇ ⬇ 12 - *Choc share packs* It's more important than ever for your insights, sales, marketing and supply chains to be tightly connected. And who sits in the middle of them all..? Yep, it's your shopper, folks. Follow for more insights and behaviours to help you land plans with real punch. #shopperinsights #grocery #proofpoints #success

Netflix and Cadbury. The Chocolatier’s unexpected craving. Confession time: You may think that as a chocolatier, I wouldn’t settle for less than single origin, handmade, luxury chocolate. And you wouldn't be wrong; I’ve trained my palate to detect the most subtle notes in chocolate's complex symphony. But here’s the twist: even a sommelier, with a cellar full of vintage wine, might kick back with a fizzy soda. So for me, when I'm deep into a Netflix marathon (no pun intended), the unexpected allure of Cadbury Fruit & Nut takes center stage. Why? Why would I, after a challenging day of chocolate NPD, turn to the iconic purple wrapper as I hunker down for a Tuesday night of Squid Game craziness? 🍫 Beyond the sweet nostalgia that floods in with every morsel of that classic milk chocolate bar, I believe there's more to it than mouthfeel. It's about the moment. As we all know, chocolate is for occasions (again, no pun intended), for special moments, and for micro-moments. Chocolate isn't just a treat; it's a punctuation for life's script, a companion for those fleeting yet fabulous few seconds. Cue the Quality Street jingle – they had it right with their “Maaaagic moments”. At the winding down of a dinner party, you wouldn't settle for anything less than a tray of exquisitely crafted truffles or bon-bons. You know, the kind that are intensely flavourful, beautifully decorated, and resemble little chocolate jewels. They demand to be relished, one or two at a time, as the grand finale to a lovingly made meal. Now flip the script to a Netflix night. Whether it's a top-notch series or a guilty pleasure, the craving shifts to a different kind of treat. Something easy, not requiring much attention, yet still hitting that instant gratification button. That is how and why a chocolatier has a thing for everyday chocolate. And for my money, Cadbury Fruit and Nut is the undefeated champion in this scenario. 🎬🍫 So, spill the beans… What's your unexpected craving?? #ChocolatierChronicles #NetflixIndulgence