Pringles Stix were a popular potato snack product introduced by the Kellogg Company in 1998. The thin, crunchy sticks were marketed as a bold new take on the traditional Pringles potato crisp. However, just a few years later in 2001, Pringles Stix were discontinued in most markets around the world.
Why were Pringles Stix created?
Pringles Stix were Kellogg’s attempt to appeal to young snackers who wanted a trendy, on-the-go snack. By shaping Pringles into thin sticks rather than circular chips, the product took on a fun, youthful image. The packaging even resembled a tube of lip balm, aiming to be portable and grab-and-go. This was in line with late 90s snacking trends that favored convenience and unique shapes over tradition.
Additionally, Pringles Stix allowed Kellogg to experiment with new flavors beyond the original Pringles varieties. While regular Pringles came in flavors like Original, Sour Cream and Onion, and Barbecue, Pringles Stix debuted exciting flavors like French Onion, Kickin’ Queso, Chili Limon, and Cinnamon Twist. This innovation allowed Pringles to appeal to evolving consumer tastes.
What flavors were available?
Pringles Stix came in a wide range of bold, intense flavors that grabbed consumer attention:
- French Onion
- Kickin’ Queso
- Chili Limon
- Cinnamon Twist
- Pizza
- Chili Cheese Dog
- Buffalo Wing
- Honey Mustard
- Salt & Vinegar
- Sour Cream & Onion
The adventurous flavor varieties were a way for Pringles to stand out in the potato chip aisle. They took advantage of flavor trends in the late 90s like spicy Chili Limon, sweet Cinnamon Twist, and indulgent Pizza. Pringles also put creative twists on classics like French Onion, Honey Mustard, and Salt & Vinegar.
Where were Pringles Stix sold?
After debuting in 1998, Pringles Stix were sold across grocery stores, convenience stores, and mass retailers in the United States, including:
- Kroger
- Albertsons
- Safeway
- 7-Eleven
- Circle K
- AM/PM
- Walmart
- Target
- Kmart
- Gas stations
- Drug stores
- Vending machines
The handy tube packaging and youthful branding of Pringles Stix made them a popular impulse buy item. They were readily stocked on convenience store shelves and vending machines to catch the eyes of young shoppers.
What was Pringles Stix advertising like?
The Pringles Stix marketing campaign targeted teenagers and young adults with a witty, offbeat approach. Commercials featured young people eating Pringles Stix in silly scenarios:
- A student filling up his backpack with Stix instead of books for school
- A woman eating Stix with chopsticks to avoid breaking a nail
- A man fishing Stix out of a public fountain and eating them
The vibe was quirky and fun to match the unconventional slender shape of the product. Print ads similarly showed teens and college kids enjoying Pringles Stix on-the-go or in odd situations. Taglines like “Your Life Just Got Stickier” and “Stick Out From The Rest” branded Pringles Stix as a bold, adventurous snack for non-conformists.
Did the advertising successfully target its demographic?
Yes, the Pringles Stix ads succeeded in resonating with young demographics through offbeat humor and highlighting the portability of the product. Teens and college students responded well to the product’s unique format and unconventional flavors. The marketing tapped into Gen X and Millennial desires for individualism and convenience. While Pringles Stix ultimately proved unsustainable long-term, the creative advertising initially achieved its goals of making the brand popular among younger snackers.
Why were Pringles Stix discontinued?
There were a few key reasons why Pringles Stix were taken off shelves in 2001, just a few years after launch:
- High production costs: Manufacturing the thin, delicate chips in an elongated shape required more precision and resulted in more breakage and waste compared to traditional circular Pringles. This drove up costs and cut into profitability.
- Cannibalization of core Pringles products: Rather than attracting new customers, Pringles Stix ended up competing for share of wallet with flagship Pringles varieties. The novelty shape diluted the traditional Pringles brand equity.
- Difficulty of distribution and storage: The slim tube packaging was prone to bending and breaking in shipping. Retailers also had difficulty fitting the non-standard tubes on shelves and in snack aisles. The odd shape created stocking and distribution challenges.
- Declining sales: After an initial honeymoon phase, sales of Pringles Stix began declining. Kellogg determined the product had insufficient long-term demand to justify continued production.
When exactly were they discontinued?
Pringles Stix began disappearing from store shelves in early 2001. By late 2001, Kellogg had halted production of Pringles Stix for most world markets, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe, and Australia. Some limited regional production of select Pringles Stix flavors continued in parts of Asia and Latin America until around 2003-2004 when the product was phased out completely globally.
Were there any efforts to save Pringles Stix?
There were minor efforts by Kellogg to revive consumer interest in Pringles Stix and address profitability issues, including:
- New flavor introductions in 2000 like All American (hot dog) and Cheese & Ranch
- Tweaks to production methods in 2000-2001 to reduce breakage
- Offering coupons and promotions in 2001 to improve sales
However, these last ditch attempts were unsuccessful in turning around the declining fortunes of Pringles Stix in most major markets. By late 2001, Kellogg decided to cut its losses on the product rather than invest more resources in trying to save it.
Was customer feedback taken into consideration?
Kellogg reviewed consumer comments, focus group input, and sales data as it evaluated the future prospects of Pringles Stix in 2000-2001. This consumer feedback highlighted that while Pringles fans appreciated the novelty initially, over time the product was not filling a major need or gap in the brand’s portfolio. Customer reviews suggested that bringing back Pringles Stix in their original form would have limited appeal. So consumer insights did play a role in Kallogg’s decision to ultimately discontinue distribution rather than attempting to re-launch an improved version of the Stix.
Have Pringles Stix returned at any point?
| Year | Details of Relaunch |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Pringles Stix made a limited comeback exclusively at Walmart stores in the U.S. for several months. They were only offered in a Classic flavor and came in a redesigned container. |
| 2012 | Pringles Stix were brought back in the UK for a 12 week period, now with a longer, more structurally sound stick shape. However they were discontinued again after the promotional window. |
| 2017 | Select Pringles Stix flavors were re-released in Australia for a limited time. Distribution was exclusive to 7-Eleven convenience stores. |
As seen above, while Pringles Stix keep reemerging for brief stints, these have been small scale, market-specific re-releases. Most were timed to capitalize on nostalgia or leverage limited-time hype. The product has not achieved mainstream comeback or long-term reinstatement in major markets.
Why haven’t Pringles committed to fully bringing back Stix?
Pringles brand owner Kellogg has been cautious about heavily reinvesting in Pringles Stix, likely because:
- The underlying supply chain and cost issues have not fundamentally changed, and would be expensive to overhaul.
- Circular Pringles have grown significantly since the early 2000s and remain priority. Pringles may not want to detract focus and shelf space from their core product.
- As a novelty, Stix work better in small batches. Large scale production could once again lead to oversaturation.
- Nostalgia-driven interest may not translate into high, sustained sales needed to support full relaunch.
What was the public reaction to Pringles Stix being discontinued?
The discontinuation of Pringles Stix in the early 2000s was met with significant disappointment from fans who had come to appreciate the product’s unique shape and bold flavors. Common public reactions included:
- Nostalgia for losing a beloved snack food many had grown up with
- Anger and frustration over losing access to flavors not available in the original Pringles line
- Sadness over losing the novelty thin stick format
- Pleas on social media over the years begging Pringles to bring Stix back
- Excitement and hype whenever Stix return as a limited edition
Pringles Stix developed an enthusiastic follower base, especially among Millennials who have fond memories of enjoying the snacks in their youth. This cult following has kept public interest and conversation alive well over a decade after being discontinued in most regions. The topic still draws passionate discussion and debate among snack food fans online.
Has the public continued to ask for the return of Pringles Stix?
Yes, cries for Pringles Stix to be permanently brought back have persisted for 20+ years. Whenever Pringles posts on social media about a new product or flavor, a chorus of people beg for the return of Stix. Pringles Stix have developed an ongoing public appeal due to:
- Gen X and Millennials who want to relive fond 1990s memories
- Younger generations curious to try this “retro” snack
- Super fans who miss unique Stix flavors not found in the regular Pringles line
- Collectors who want to get their hands on rare, discontinued vintage packages
Pringles Stix occupy a special place in the public consciousness and are still being requested all these years later. However Pringles has yet to commit to a full-scale relaunch, despite the ongoing public clamor.
Could Pringles Stix make a permanent comeback?
It’s unlikely Pringles Stix will return as a permanent mass market product any time soon. However, there are factors that make a larger future comeback possible:
- Nostalgia marketing: Capitalizing on Millennial and Gen Z childhood nostalgia could drive interest if marketed correctly.
- Innovation in manufacturing: New production methods and materials could potentially reduce breakage.
- Ecommerce expansion: Selling Stix primarily online through sites like Amazon could resolve distribution challenges.
- Limiting flavors: Bringing back only 1-2 fan favorite flavors could streamline production.
If Kellogg finds the right balance of nostalgia and innovation while avoiding past pitfalls, a wider relaunch of Pringles Stix could succeed. However, the company seems unwilling to risk Pringles’ mainstream success to revive a novelty product. Pringles may see wisdom in keeping Stix special by producing them only for temporary promotions.
What are the chances Pringles Stix will be a grocery store staple again?
Unless significant production breakthroughs are made, the chances seem low that Pringles Stix will regain permanent placement on snack aisles alongside traditional Pringles cans. As long as the underlying supply chain economics and distribution challenges remain, Pringles is unlikely to take a risk on Stix beyond limited-time releases fueled by buzz and nostalgia. However, never say never. If Stix eventually get cost-effective new packaging or manufacturing technology, Pringles could change their stance. For now, most analysts agree mainstream reinstatement of Pringles Stix remains a long shot despite public demand.
Conclusion
Pringles Stix were a bold 1990s innovation that gave a beloved snack a new twist but ultimately proved difficult to sustain. While public outcry for their return persists, fundamental issues with cost and distribution continue blocking their permanent comeback. However, given the cult following Pringles Stix still enjoy, the possibility remains that with the right technology or strategy, these crunchy nostalgia-filled sticks could once again become a grocery store staple. Pringles would need to tread carefully though to avoid jeopardizing their core product’s success. For now, Pringles seems content bringing Stix back only temporarily to capitalize on fan fervor. Despite disappearing off most shelves nearly 20 years ago, Pringles Stix live on in Millennial and Gen Z memories as a quintessential snack food of the late 90s and early 2000s.