2015 NACS Show product preview
Just Born’s Juniors Line
Booth #3709
Mike and Ike Original Fruits, Mike and Ike Zours and Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon candies are now available in a smaller bean. Mike and Ike Original Fruit Juniors have the same flavors as traditional Mike and Ike candies (orange, strawberry, lemon, lime and cherry), but in a smaller size. The Zours Juniors line comes in five intense sour fruit flavors, including Sour Green Apple, Sour Blue Raspberry, Sour Watermelon, Sour Lemon and Sour Cherry, but also in the new mini-bean size. Hot Tamales Juniors features the original hot cinnamon candy and is just as spicy in miniature form. All varieties come in a 3.5-ounce shareable pack at an SRP of $1.49 to $1.99.
Opportunity: Shareable and poppable are all the rage in the candy aisle these days.
Njoy’s Daily Disposable E-Cig And Vaping Pre-Filled Tanks Booth #1519 The NJOY Daily Disposable E-Cig is designed to offer the quick, strong satisfaction of a cigarette, the company says. This disposable provides about 300 puffs at $5.99 per stick. It will be available in three flavors: Rich Tobacco, Cool Menthol and Blue + Black Berry. The NJOY Vaping Pre-Filled Tanks feature a new atomizer design that combines vape-shop performance with c-store convenience. The tanks will come in a variety of flavors at $5.99 per tank.
Opportunity: Vaporizers for the “everyman” vs. vaping enthusiasts may better fit into a c-store set.
Hatco’s Mini Vertical Warmer
Booth #5383
The Mini Vertical Warmer helps extend the snacking opportunity into your foodservice program. This compact unit can be placed anywhere, keeping prepackaged snacks warm, appealing and at customers’ fingertips. Given the warmer’s adjustable thermostat, snacks such as brownies and cookies can be held at optimum temperatures for that oven-fresh taste. Up to eight Mini Vertical Warmer units can be connected side by side, all using one outlet connection. Accessory mounting brackets save on counter space and draw attention at eye level.
Opportunity: Is saving space a trend? If so, this product has it locked down.
Generac’s Generators
Booth #1977
Generac’s mobile gaseous generators are ideal for retailers with multiple locations. They are designed for applications that require temporary power or when a permanently installed generator is not feasible. They also can be equipped with transfer switches that automatically transfer power from the utility to generators during power outages. Another product under the Generac umbrella, the Protector Series offers advanced controls and flexible fuel operations. The series’ compact design allows for easy installation.
Opportunity: Keeping downtime to a minimum is always on trend.
Republic Tobacco’s Silver Cigarette Filter Tubes Booth #4315 Republic Tobacco has added new Silver cigarette filter tubes to its Gambler, TubeCut and TOP families. Available in king and 100MM sizes, the Silver products are for consumers who prefer a more airy, clean taste, the company says. All Republic Tobacco cigarette filter tubes work with any hand-held or tabletop cigarette injector machines, including Top-O-Matic, Top-O-Matic T2, MikroMatic and the new Poweroll 2 electric injectors.
Opportunity: RYO consumers take their craft seriously; give them products that create their ideal smoke.
General Mills’ Chex Xtreme
Booth #3918
Exclusive to c-stores, Chex Xtreme comes in single-serve “slampack” packages in Spicy Sriracha and Hot Chile & Lime flavors. This product is designed specifically to meet convenience shoppers’ demand for portability and on-the-go consumption. Packaged in a tube-shaped bag for easy pouring directly into one’s mouth, this new product will be available in 1-ounce bags for an SRP of 99 cents. The company suggests retailers place Chex Xtreme in the salty set next to nuts and seeds.
Opportunity: Look, ma: No hands! It doesn’t get more convenient than that.
Powerbar’s Protein Shake
Booth #574
PowerBar is launching its first ready-to-drink high-protein shake for the convenience channel. This new 14-ounce shake is designed in a convenient, shelf-stable and environmentally friendly bottle. It contains 30 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar and 160 calories. The new shake is low in fat, has 24 vitamins and minerals and is gluten-free. The PowerBar protein shake will be ready to ship in December, the company says.
Opportunity: Consider how to deliver protein in snacks, foodservice and the cold vault.
Tyson’s Ball Park Flame Grilled Jerky
Booth #5177
Ball Park is releasing a new jerky that tastes like it came right off the grill. It is dried for toughness, then flame-grilled for a tender texture and superior char-grilled flavor. Ball Park Flame Grilled flavors include Original, Teriyaki, Barbecue, Bourbon BBQ and Peppered. The new jerky was created to be different from other offerings by first drying and then flame-grilling it to invent a unique flavor profile.
Opportunity: Jerky keeps percolating. Sales increased 11% in the year ending Aug. 12, IRI says.
Mars’ Snickers Crisper
Booth #2315
Snickers Crisper delivers a crispy bite with a combination of crisped rice and peanuts, topped with a layer of caramel and coated in creamy milk chocolate. Singles packs contain two pieces, each with 100 calories, allowing for a snack for now and another for later, the company says. The new product retails for 99 cents to $1.09 for 1.41-ounce singles, $1.69 to $1.79 for 2.83-ounce 4 to Go packs, and $2.69 to $3.99 for the 10.61-ounce medium Fun Size bag.
Opportunity: A new riff on a top-selling brand? Yes, please!
Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Sea Salt And Sweet & Salty Popcorn Booth #4075 Angie’s will introduce new 2.25-ounce, c-store-size bags of its Boom Chicka Pop Sea Salt and Sweet & Salty varieties at the NACS Show. For the sea-salt variety, this otherwise-classic popcorn is 35 calories per cup and contains just popcorn, sunflower oil and sea salt. The Sweet & Salty variety is 70 calories per cup and consists of popcorn, sunflower oil, dried cane sugar and sea salt.
Opportunity: Ready-to-eat popcorn is having a moment, according to IRI.