Hershey creates first-ever seasonal new candy ahead of Halloween

The Hershey Company has been on a roll, surprising fans with more new candy launches than ever before.

With Halloween right around the corner, the chocolate giant has unveiled a brand-new treat, marking the first-ever seasonal candy of its kind with Reese's, its number-one brand.

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Over the years, Reese's has become known for releasing various seasonal candy offerings, especially during Halloween.

Its festive shapes, like pumpkins, ghosts, and bats, have become an annual tradition. The brand has also experimented with white chocolate versions, skeleton shapes, and Halloween-themed wrapping for Miniature Reese's cups.

This year, Reese's is taking it to the next level with the debut of the new Reese's Peanut Butter Mini Pumpkins, bite-sized, pumpkin-shaped Reese's that come unwrapped in a resealable bag.

This newly launched candy makes eating the entire bag even easier, since there's no need to unwrap each one individually. One can simply open the bag, grab a handful, and enjoy multiple pieces in one bite.

This concept is similar to the brand's popular Reese's Peanut Butter Mini Eggs, released every spring. They also come unwrapped in a resealable bag, but in an egg shape.

The new Reese's Peanut Butter Mini Pumpkins are currently available at Walmart (WMT) and have also been spotted at Dollar General (DG) and other national and local retailers.

Hershey launches the new Reese's Peanut Butter Mini Pumpkins.

Image source: Getty Images

Hershey responds to troublesome cocoa shortages and market shifts with a new strategy

This latest release comes as food costs have increased across all categories in recent months due to a combination of supply chain disruptions, rising operating expenses, inflation, and tariffs. Cocoa, the core ingredient in chocolate, has been hit particularly hard.

While around 70% of the world's cocoa comes from West Africa, the U.S. tariffs on foreign goods are not the only cause of this surge.

Unpredictable weather fluctuations, including excessive rainfall and hotter temperatures, have disrupted cocoa production since early last year, leading to global shortages and significant price hikes. Beyond rising costs, Hershey is also navigating the pressures of ever-evolving consumer preferences and increased market competition.

In response, Hershey (HSY) has worked to diversify its portfolio and revenue streams over the last few months by expanding into other categories and forming strategic partnerships. The company has also incorporated other ingredients such as peanut butter, caramel, and wafers into its products, reducing its reliance on cocoa.

Hershey hits a sweet spot with its latest business moves

Hershey's efforts appear to be paying off. In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, the company's total net sales were up 26%, and its North America confectionery sector increased 32%, beating nearly all analysts' expectations.

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The launch of Reese's Peanut Butter Mini Pumpkins could be another way for Hershey to reduce costs without compromising the quality of its products, which fits into its new strategy.

Skipping individual wrapping also allows Hershey to reduce packaging costs. Those savings can be reinvested and allocated to other areas, like more chocolate.