Trends & Insights - All Stories

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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. …