NEW YORK — More and more companies are taking advantage of the total solar eclipse that will take place in North America’s dim skies on Monday.
In the snacks department alone, Krispy Kreme has teamed up with Oreo to sell a limited donut cookie creation. Sonic Drive-In is selling a ‘Blackout Slush Float’. And Frito-Lay’s SunChips has unveiled a new flavor that will only be available during the nearly four and a half minutes of the heavenly event.
MoonPie also launched a ‘Sun vs. Moon’ campaign with a smackdown theme, as the chocolate snack maker promotes its ‘eclipse survival kit’, consisting of four mini MoonPies and two pairs of eclipse glasses.
Meanwhile, airlines like Southwest and Delta have been advertising flight routes for eclipse viewing. And aside from big brand promotions, small businesses along the 185-kilometre-wide main trail are leading the way to meet incoming tourism demand.
Some cities and local vendors have been anticipating the celestial event and the huge crowds for years. There are numerous special eclipse safety glasses for sale, as well as T-shirts decorated with clever slogans and more astronomical souvenirs. Other offerings include eclipse-themed beer, special dinner packages and viewing parties at theme parks, wineries and zoos.
Marketing linked to rare spectacles, such as the sun disappearing behind the moon, is not new.
In 2017, the last time the US saw much of a total solar eclipse, dozens of companies took advantage of the promotion, including Krispy Kreme.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company previously introduced limited-edition glazed chocolate donuts for the 2017 solar eclipse, and those treats have returned a few times since. But that may not be the case for this year’s “Total Solar Eclipse Donut.” The Krispy Kreme-Oreo combo will be available Friday through Monday, according to an announcement from the chain this week.