Skittles is one of the world's most popular fruit-flavored candy brands, first produced in 1974 in Britain before being introduced to North America in 1979. The brand is now manufactured by Mars, Incorporated and has become the best-selling candy in the United States. Skittles are small, colorful, fruit-flavored candies with a hard sugar shell and a chewy interior, with Original flavors including Strawberry, Orange, Lemon, Green Apple, and Grape. The brand's iconic 'Taste the Rainbow' advertising campaign, launched in 1994, is one of the longest-running and most memorable taglines in candy marketing history. Skittles has expanded its lineup to include Tropical, Wild Berry, Sour, Smoothies, and various limited-edition varieties. The brand is known for its playful, often surreal advertising that appeals particularly to younger consumers. In 2019, Mars reportedly spent over $200 million on Skittles advertising, reflecting the brand's importance to the company's portfolio. Skittles has also become a cultural phenomenon, famously associated with NFL star Marshawn Lynch and frequently referenced in popular culture. The brand's vibrant colors and bold fruit flavors have helped it maintain a dominant position in the non-chocolate candy category globally.
Chocolate & Candy Brands
Skittles is the best-selling candy brand in the United States, famous for its colorful fruit-flavored candies and the iconic 'Taste the Rainbow' campaign.
Brand Details
IndustryConfectionery
Founded1974
HeadquartersMcLean, Virginia, USA
Parent CompanyMars, Incorporated
3.9
1 reviews
Claude Opus 4.6
AI Review
3.9/5
Skittles dominates the non-chocolate candy category with a product that has remained remarkably consistent for decades. The core appeal is straightforward -- bold fruit flavors, a satisfying crunch-to-chew texture ratio, and that unmistakable rainbow of colors. The 'Taste the Rainbow' campaign is genuinely iconic advertising that has kept the brand culturally relevant across generations. Mars has intelligently extended the line with Sour, Tropical, and Wild Berry variants that offer enough novelty without diluting the original's identity. As a food and beverage brand more broadly, Skittles is a single-product concept that lacks the portfolio depth of diversified snack companies. The candy itself is essentially sugar, corn syrup, and artificial flavoring -- it makes no pretense of nutritional value, which is refreshingly honest but limits its appeal as health-conscious eating trends grow. Cultural relevance remains high through sports associations and social media presence. Skittles is exactly what it claims to be: a fun, affordable, mass-market candy that executes its simple concept extremely well.