To revive stale US sales, candy companies pitch gum as a stress reliever and concentration aid
Associated Press
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Mars Wrigley employee Tammy Steffek folds over a sheeting of Extra gum pellets at the company's innovation lab Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Chicago. From stress relief to concentration aid, gum makers look for ways to make Americans chew again. Mars Inc., which owns the 133-year-old Wrigley brand, thinks it may have an answer: repositioning gum as an instant stress reliever rather than an occasional breath freshener. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)File - Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Jhonathan Daz blows a bubble during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Feb. 25, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. Gum maker Mars says its research shows half of gum consumers chew to relieve stress or help their focus. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)Alyona Fedorchenko, vice president for global gum and mints in the Mars Snacking division stands for a portrait at the company's employee store Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Chicago. From stress relief to concentration aid, gum makers look for ways to make Americans chew again. Mars Inc., which owns the 133-year-old Wrigley brand, thinks it may have an answer: repositioning gum as an instant stress reliever rather than an occasional breath freshener. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)Affectionately called "Chewbacca" are three of the six cylinders that simulate chomping, grinding and even a liquid that simulates saliva, at the Mars Wrigley's products innovation lab Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Chicago. From stress relief to concentration aid, gum makers look for ways to make Americans chew again. Mars Inc., which owns the 133-year-old Wrigley brand, thinks it may have an answer: repositioning gum as an instant stress reliever rather than an occasional breath freshener. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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Mars Wrigley employee Tammy Steffek folds over a sheeting of Extra gum pellets at the company's innovation lab Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Chicago. From stress relief to concentration aid, gum makers look for ways to make Americans chew again. Mars Inc., which owns the 133-year-old Wrigley brand, thinks it may have an answer: repositioning gum as an instant stress reliever rather than an occasional breath freshener. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
