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Hershey Says Mint, Gum Sales Hit As Lockdowns Restrict Social Gatherings

By Steve Wynne-Jones
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Hershey Says Mint, Gum Sales Hit As Lockdowns Restrict Social Gatherings

Hershey Co has said that sales of gums and mints have taken a hit as social distancing protocols spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic discouraged people from participating in gatherings.

The company, the maker of Ice Breakers and Kisses, said its second-quarter performance would also be impacted due to a decline in its food service business and stunted candy sales at airports and stores.

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"We have also experienced a decrease in retail foot traffic and volatility in consumer shopping and consumption behaviour across several areas of our portfolio, which has negatively impacted sales of our portable and on-the-go consumption products," the company said in a filing.

The health crisis triggered a long lockdown, temporarily closing everything from restaurants to malls and forcing consumers to work from home.

Hershey has for long been betting on its nutritious and on-the-go snack portfolio, a hit with health-conscious consumers who would pick up protein bars before heading to work.

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The company said it expects many of the changed shopping behaviours since the outbreak of the virus to continue as governments begin a phased reopening of businesses.

News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.

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