Why the obsession with small snacks? Turns out, people just can't get enough of all things tiny! Whether you're on the go or just love miniature things (like the hamster-themed YouTube channel that Doug Martin, General Mills' chief brand and growth officer, can't get enough of), these itty-bitty bites are perfect for stirring up new interest in beloved snacks that we've been enjoying for decades.
Wall Street Journal reported that In January, a few months after General Mills launched its teensy versions of Trix, Reese’s Puffs, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereals, the company also released little branded trinkets: a mini refrigerator, utensil set, and muffin mold. The tchotchkes sold out in about two hours, Mr. Martin said.
For a brand like Trix, which has been on supermarket shelves since the 1950s, Lynn Dornblaser, director of innovation and insight at market research firm Mintel, said a teenier take is also a convenient refresh.
“With cereals that your parents and grandparents ate, having something about it that’s fun and fresh and new makes it relevant to a completely new group of consumers,” Ms. Dornblaser said. “That’s gold if companies can make that work.”
It doesn’t always work. Kenley Belew, a bartender in Dowagiac, Mich., said she panicked on a recent afternoon when her 2-year-old son, Elliott, approached her saying “nose, nose.” Tilting his head back, she found a red mini Trix lodged in his right nostril.
Ms. Belew said she ushered her son into the bathroom, where her fiancé, Duke McCuddy, who is Elliott’s father, sat the child on his knee and shined a flashlight up his nose. Grabbing a pair of tweezers, Ms. Belew slowly worked the mini cereal ball—which was roughly the size of a pea—out of her son’s nasal cavity.
Remember, while mini treats may be all the rage right now, it's important to keep in mind the bigger picture. As Americans, we have a tendency to overindulge in both portion size and snacking habits. While it's certainly okay to enjoy some of our favorite snacks in moderation, we should also strive to make healthier choices and be mindful of our consumption.
