How smartphones burst chewing gum's growth bubble

Smartphone does not leave enough time with people that they would need to while away with gum.

Chewing gum was a favourite way of passing time. Smartphone has filled every little window of free time we used to have before.

Use of smartphone has crammed all the pockets of boredom or leisure one had between important jobs or while waiting for something.

According to a report, supermarket checkout lines—strategically stocked with magazines and candy—were for a long time a major point of sale for gum.

Consumers waiting in line to pay would look around and make impulse buys.

Now, when people wait, they don't have to look around to find something to make themselves busy with or pass time.

Smartphone is always there. Few people would reach for a pack of gum in boredom.

The chewing gum industry is fighting of the smartphone challenge with innovation. Companies keep coming out with variations on the plain-vanilla chewing gum of old times, such as sugar-free gums, gums that also keep the teeth clean and mint gums that are used for deep mouth-freshening.