When 65 Days Isn't Enough: The Shelf-Life Squeeze on Shipping

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Some problems J.M. Smucker is facing when it bit (read that as buying Hostess) into the golden, creamy Hostess Twinkie are bedeviling other food makers. Snacking slowed as people cut discretionary spending, and weight-loss drugs and the “Make America Healthy Again” movement gained traction. U.S. snack sales by units are down 4% in the past four years, according to data from market-research firm NIQ. Sales of sweet snacks, generally, have dropped 17%, the data showed. 

Why did Smucker's $5 billion bet on the Twinkie flop?

Was it because of the 65-day shelf life? A blink of an eye compared to the shelf life of many core Smucker products – fruit spreads, canned coffee and dog food – which can last for at least a year. Was it changing consumer habits?  Could execution have played into the problems?  

Find out here.