Case Study: Custom Christmas Sweaters for Hershey

About Hershey

Hershey’s is a major American company best known for producing chocolate and confectionery products. Formally known as The Hershey Company, it is one of the largest and most iconic chocolate manufacturers in the world.

Hershey’s produces and sells a wide range of products:

Chocolate bars (Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Special Dark)

Candies (Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Kit Kat [U.S. license])

Peanut butter products (Reese’s)

Snacks & baking goods

Seasonal and holiday-themed treats

They also own brands like Brookside, Pirate’s Booty, and One Brands to expand into snacks and nutrition.

🌍 Global Presence:

Products are sold in over 60 countries

Operates manufacturing and distribution centers globally

Owns Hersheypark, a chocolate-themed amusement park in Pennsylvania.

Hershey's has initiatives focused on:

Sustainable cocoa sourcing

Environmental responsibility

Community development

Improving nutrition in products

The Project

Due to Hershey’s initiatives such as environmental responsibility, they wanted to team up with a sustainable merch company to create their custom Christmas sweaters , so they asked Roody to create the Hershey’s sweaters.

Hershey’s has embraced the festive spirit in recent years by introducing holiday-themed merchandise, including Christmas sweaters, as part of its broader marketing and community engagement strategies. These initiatives aim to blend nostalgia, brand recognition, and holiday cheer, resonating with consumers during the festive season.

🎄 Embracing Holiday Traditions

The creation of Hershey’s Christmas sweaters aligns with the company's efforts to celebrate the holiday season and connect with consumers on a more personal level. By incorporating iconic brand elements into festive apparel, Hershey’s taps into the cultural phenomenon of "ugly Christmas sweaters," offering fans a playful way to showcase their love for the brand.

🤝 Supporting Community Initiatives

In addition to merchandise, Hershey’s has engaged in community-focused activities during the holidays. For instance, the Hershey Bears, a professional ice hockey team affiliated with the company, have worn ugly Christmas sweater jerseys during games. These special jerseys are often auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting local charities such as the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots, demonstrating Hershey’s commitment to giving back to the community during the season of giving.

The Making of the Sweater

Hershey’s wanted the sweater to focus on Hershey’s Kisses. They wanted to include the iconic Kisses in the sweater design and have them knitted in.