#6 | NOSTALGIA SELLS: Bringing the Past to Today’s Table

MANE LATAM FLAVORS
Sep 1
4 min read

Updated: Sep 4

Newstalgia is the trend of reviving beloved products, designs, and flavors from the past. It grew out of recurring pop-culture comebacks (reboots, retro gaming, vinyl) and intensified during the pandemic years as people sought emotional comfort and familiarity. Brands saw that tapping shared memories—paired with modern twists, limited drops, and collabs—boosted relevance and trial.


The Boring Phone A modern flip phone created intentionally stripped of apps and distractions. Its nostalgic appeal lies in bringing back the simplicity of early 2000s “dumb phones,” when communication felt more straightforward and less dominated by the digital world.	Top Gun: Maverick Sequel to the 1986 classic, the film not only delivers thrilling aerial sequences but also taps into nostalgia by reviving the characters, spirit, and adrenaline of the original, resonating with audiences who grew up with the first movie.	The Super Mario Bros. Movie Is an animated adventure inspired by Nintendo’s legendary video game series. It awakens nostalgia by reconnecting fans of different generations with the beloved Mario and Luigi, characters that have defined gaming culture since the 1980s.	Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic. Its nostalgic value comes from reviving the gothic aesthetic, quirky humor, and iconic characters that left a unique mark on pop culture in the late ’80s.

McDonaldland Characters McDonaldland’s revival brings back Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Hamburglar, and other mascots from the brand’s golden age of advertising. The nostalgic link is strong, as these characters recall childhood memories and the playful, colorful campaigns of the 1980s and 1990s.	Barbie (2023) Barbie, reimagines the iconic doll on the big screen. Its nostalgic strength lies in rekindling childhood memories of playing with Barbie, while also modernizing her story to reflect today’s cultural conversations and keeping the timeless charm alive.	Stranger Things Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s that mixes sci-fi, horror, and coming-of-age drama. Its nostalgic appeal comes from heavy inspiration in ’80s pop culture, with clear references to Stephen King, Spielberg, Dungeons & Dragons, and the music of that era.	Motorola Razr The Motorola Razr has been re-released as a foldable smartphone that keeps the iconic flip design of the early 2000s. Its nostalgic power lies in bridging the cult status of the original Razr, once a symbol of style and innovation, with cutting-edge technology for today’s users.

All proof that yesterday’s icons can become today’s growth engines when remixed thoughtfully.

Newstalgia Across the Globe

Brazil	51% enjoy flavors that remind them of childhood.
Peru	71% enjoy flavors linked to childhood.
Mexico	65% enjoy flavors linked to childhood.
UK	73% of UK chocolate eaters like eating the same chocolate products they ate as children.
USA	71% of US consumers agree that they enjoy things that remind them of their past, such as childhood memories.

SOURCE: MINTEL

Nostalgia goes beyond flavors: Retro packaging, classic products, and campaigns that evoke past decades strengthen the emotional connection and expand commercial appeal. Combining traditional elements with innovation (“newstalgia”) creates products that attract both consumers who experienced the original version and younger audiences seeking a connection to their roots.

From Memory to Purchase

Why People Reach for the Past?


Comfort & Emotional Connection familiar flavors that bring immediate well-being, recalling good moments and a sense of security.	Curiosity & Novelty The thrill of trying classics reimagined—with new twists in flavor, texture, or format.	Collabs Brand × brand or brand × pop-culture collaborations refresh relevance, spark buzz, and drive social conversation.

Retro Vibes, Modern Takes:

Trends on the rise!

1. Retro packaging & design:

Labels and formats inspired by past decades create instant desire and reinforce brand identity. 2. Expansion into new categories: Taking iconic flavors into new segments extends reach and frequency. 3. Local signature flavors: Spotlight beloved regional dishes/ingredients in modern, practical formats.

Exploring nostalgia through flavor


Nestlé Surpresa – Brazil An iconic milk chocolate bar from the 1980s, relaunched with collectible animal-themed packaging that sparks childhood nostalgia.	Zambinos Pizza Snack – Brazil A fun, pizza-flavored crunchy snack shaped like mini wheels, popular among kids for its playful design and bold taste.	Nestlé Chambinho – Brazil A beloved strawberry-flavored dairy dessert known for its creamy texture and heart-shaped mascot, deeply tied to childhood memories.

Crem helado - Colombia Classic popsicle. Vanilla+ Strawberry	Alpina - Colombia Yogurt with citric flavors 90’s product	Pepsico Sabritones - Mexico An iconic brand has now made a brand extension, with other flavors: Rodacas: salt & lemon Rejillas: Chili

Marco Polo Suflés de papa– Chile The classic 80s potato snack is back. Potato-flavored extruded snacks	Ambrosoli Masticandy – Chile New candy format with the classic flavor of “Amberries” chewy candy. Blackberry and raspberry flavored candies.	Evercrisp Gatolate & Traga Traga – Chile All your childhood memories come flooding back with these extruded snacks. Gatolate tastes like chocolate and Traga-Traga tastes like raspberry.

Arcor Fizz – Argentina Multi-flavored candies with a fizzy, tangy twist—icons of the ’80s that still bring fun and joy today.	Bazooka Jirafa – Argentina Chewy, sweet gum packaged with comic strips: a nostalgic classic from the 1980s, now refreshed for a new generation.	Suschen Mielcitas – Argentina Iconic neon-colored liquid candy tubes, chewy and addictive, each bite transporting you back to childhood kiosks.

Winning Strategies for Brands

Strong brands can migrate iconic flavors into new categories.
Retro packaging increases purchase intent.
It is necessary to align nostalgia with modern health preferences.
Elevating the classic with a twist ensures appeal to broader audiences.
Strategic collabs create powerful opportunities to amplify nostalgia and reach new consumer segments.