Washington — Results of a new survey from NCA reveal that 98 percent of Americans who welcome trick-or-treaters this year will be handing out chocolate and candy and 93 percent report they will share chocolate and candy with friends and…
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Acosta Group Study Highlights Plant-Based Shopper Insights
Jacksonville, FL — One-in-three shoppers are consuming plant-based products on a regular basis, according to a recently released study from Acosta Group. In the past four years, sales of plant-based products have been steadily growing, reaching $8 billion in 2022,…
Halloween Spending Expected To Reach Record $12.2B As Participation Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Levels
Washington — Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $12.2 billion, exceeding last year’s record of $10.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. A record 73 percent of people will participate in Halloween-related activities this year, up from…
Confectionery, Gum Sales Reach $34B With Strong Dollar Gains
Washington — Confectionery dollar sales in traditional channels have surpassed the $34 billion mark, according to Circana data for the 52 weeks ending August 13, 2023. The data also show that confectionery continues to be one of the strongest growth…
Circana’s Sadler Looks At Top Trends In Seasonal Confections
Understanding seasonal candy trends is essential for brands and retailers to develop strategies that meet the evolving needs of shoppers. Circana’s Dan Sadler breaks down the current situation. Washington — Confectionery trends have shifted significantly during the past few years…
Creating Irrational Loyalty Through Brand Archetypes
Sol Marketing’s Deb Gabor defines the 12 brand archetypes and explains how brands can use them to differentiate themselves in the market. Washington — Irrational loyalty is the condition in which your brand’s customers are so indelibly bonded to you…
Chartwells Reveals Top 5 Food Trends On College Campuses For 2023 Fall Semester
Charlotte, NC — Food trends are constantly changing and evolving to meet the demands of younger generations. Today’s college students have a plethora of options when it comes to campus dining, and they continue to drive the changes being made…
Trend Watch: Better-For-You Cookies
When it comes to snacking, consumers are all-in, but the demand for better-for-you options continues to grow. Washington — Cookies feed directly into consumers’ desire for indulgence; however, more and more cookie makers are hoping to reach wider audiences with…
The State of Snacking: Emerging Trends & Opportunities
Circana’s Sally Lyons Wyatt uncovers the latest findings from the company’s research around consumer snacking habits. Wasington — In the past few years, snacking has become an increasingly important part of consumers’ lives. It has become a lifestyle in the…
WLG Viewpoint: Blommer’s Tisoncik Explains The Power Of A Playful Mindset
Approaching tasks with a playful mindset can increase productivity and bring new perspectives to the workplace, according to Blommer Chocolate Co.’s Melissa Tisoncik. Washington — It was the end of a long week and the team had pushed hard to…
Cargill Looks At When Doing Good Helps Brands Do Well
Wayzata, MN — As pressure mounts to improve the sustainability of food production systems, consumers are pushing brands to prioritize responsible and sustainable ingredient sourcing, supply chain traceability and transparent communication on impact. At first blush, these can seem like…
Ferrero Sets Its Sights On NA Expansion
Parsippany, NJ — Alanna Cotton took over the reins of Ferrero North America, including the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, in September and is overseeing aggressive investments by the company in manufacturing, R&D and talent. Candy & Snack TODAY recently sat…
Fruit Chews: A Driving Force In The Non-Chocolate Sector
Washington — Once considered a niche, chewy candy is now an important driver of non-chocolate candy sales. Contributing to this is the fruit chew sector, boasting brands including Starburst, Now and Later, Hi-Chew and Laffy Taffy to name a few. …