In 2026, National Candy Month aligns perfectly with our nation’s celebration of 250 years of American independence.
Chocolate and candy have always played a special role in the uniquely American moments of summer: patriotic holidays, road trips, neighborhood barbeques, family reunions, days at the pool, and nights by the campfire. This year, you can help close the sales gap between Easter and Halloween while honoring the ingenuity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that define our Sweet Land of Liberty and the confectionery industry.
Analyzing data from Circana, NCA uncovered a $1 BILLION incremental sales opportunity that begins with National Candy Month each June.
June is National Candy Month!
We’ve collected and created information, ideas, and resources like logos and inspirational photos to help you develop your own National Candy Month plans. You’ll find reasons to participate that you can take back to your teams (hint: ROI), usage occasions to leverage in the summer months, ideas for secondary displays, cross merchandising recommendations, tips from National Candy Month experts, and thoughts on how to get the word out. Remember – in 2026 you can place special emphasis on red, white, and blue merchandising and products to ride the wave created by America250!
For more information, contact Lynn Wylie.
Since 2020, National Candy Month has grown from a one-month test in 570 stores to a summer-long promotion in 60,000+ retail locations.
Sweet Land of Liberty Resources
Learn more about the history and economic contributions of the chocolate and candy industry
Listen to our SWEET 250th Anniversary Anthem
Download the Sweet Land of Liberty Logo
Why participate?
A $1 Billion Opportunity: Unwrap the Potential
The confectionery industry can realize $1 billion in incremental sales by inspiring shoppers who already purchases confectionery between Memorial Day and Labor day to buy one more chocolate item and one more candy item during the summer. NCA has ideas and insights to help you achieve the goal and grab your share of the prize.
Here are a few reasons to get excited about National Candy Month and other summer opportunities.
- Close the confectionery sales gap in your stores between Easter and Halloween by shining a light on the confectionery category between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- BONUS! These summer-long promotional opportunities feature everyday confectionery items which limits markdown liabilities and increases profits.
- Inspire your shoppers with new ideas and give them more reasons to enjoy confections during the summer months by incorporating treats in seasonal and holiday displays.
- Graduation
- Father’s Day
- Patriotic holidays
- Camping and picnics
- Beach and pool outings
- Road trips and vacations
- Encourage bigger baskets by cross promoting candy with other summer products. Consider:
- Gummy and chewy candy alongside beach towels, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Red, white & blue candy with BBQ supplies like partyware, coolers, and condiments.
- Chocolate and candy gifts next to greeting cards for Father’s Day and graduation.
Inspiration
Looking for ideas on how to make the most of National Candy Month and summer promotions? Check out these ideas from fellow retailers.
Sweet Land of Liberty / America 250
Marketplace
Media & Marketing
Success Stories
National Candy Month Retail Success Stories
These are a few of the retailers that have participated in National Candy Month, adding excitement to their candy sets, delighting shoppers and growing incremental sales between Easter and Halloween. Read on to find out how they did it!
Getting Started
Unwrap the $1 billion incremental sales opportunity identified between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
National Candy Month One-Pager
National Candy Month in June kicks off a summer sales period that can help address the confectionery sales gap between Easter and Halloween while driving category permissibility based on emotional well-being and industry leadership. This summer promotional opportunity has the potential to add $1 billion in incremental sales between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Getting Started with National Candy Month
This resource is available for NCA member companies and qualified partners. Please log in to access.
Questions? Contact us.
Blueprint for Successful National Candy Month Activation
This resource is available for NCA member companies and qualified partners. Please log in to access.
Questions? Contact us.
Logo & Resources
Click the links below to download the National Candy Month logo files:
You are welcome to use this National Candy Month logo for any of your summer promotional needs (store signage, social posts, advertising, shippers, etc.). There is no charge to use the logo and no written permission is required. We’d love to see how you use the National Candy Month logo and add you to our success stories! Send a photo or two to lynn.wylie@CandyUSA.com.
Customizable Slides and Talking Points
We’ve made it easy to pitch National Candy Month in your sales presentations to your retail customers and internal teams. You are welcome to customize this sales slide to meet your needs.
Promotional Video
List of Summer Holidays & Occasions
Share the sweetness of summer with your customers and shoppers by helping them make their special moments even better with confectionery treats. Celebrate the role chocolate and candy play in these unique summer occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the National Candy Month graphics to participate?
No. We understand that some retailers choose to use their own summer promotions graphics and that’s fine. The idea is for the confectionery supply chain to come together to shine a light on our category between Memorial Day and Labor Day. National Candy Month is positioned to kick off the summer-long promotional season, but any summer activation helps us achieve the goal of uncovering $1 billion in incremental sales.
If I want to use the National Candy Month graphics for my summer promotions, how do I do that?
You are welcome to use our National Candy Month logo for any of your summer promotional needs (store signage, social posts, advertising, etc.). There are no fees associated with its use.
Besides the logo, are there any sign kits available we can use to promote National Candy Month – signs, shelf talkers, caption strips, etc. We don’t have a graphics department and would like to use your signs and other promotional materials in our stores.
No, with all the varied dimensions for signage at retail chains, we aren’t able to provide promotional signage that can work for everyone.
As a manufacturer, I love the idea of National Candy Month, but I’m not sure how to get started. Can you help?
Manufacturers who have been successful start by approaching their retail partners with the idea of a National Candy Month or summer promotion when they present their everyday summer sets or at another time when the retailer is reviewing summer sets and promotions. We’ve provided a sales slide and talking points that you are welcome to customize and use when you discuss this opportunity with your retailers.
As a retailer, I love the idea of National Candy Month, but I’m not sure how to get started. Can you help?
Most of the retailers who have been successful tell us that they usually approach their manufacturer partners to discuss ways to promote confectionery in the summer during National Candy Month or other summer activations. Some retailers have an idea of what they want to build for their summer promotions and ask manufacturers to participate with specific products and promotional support. Other retailers have worked in partnership with their manufacturer partners to develop their summer promotions together.
How do you know there is a billion-dollar incremental sales opportunity in the summer?
By analyzing Circana summer confectionery sales data, we estimate there is the potential for $1 billion in incremental sales by getting consumers who already purchase confectionery between Memorial Day and Labor Day to purchase one more chocolate item and one more candy item.
I’d like to promote National Candy Month on my social sites. What do you suggest?
Here’s some inspiration. NCA has also developed fun summer infographics that you’re welcome to use in your social posts and marketing. Another way to engage on social is to ask questions about how your shoppers celebrate summer with candy and chocolate. Here are some examples:
- What’s your favorite candy in the summer?
- What’s your go-to road trip candy?
- What’s the best candy for a day at the pool?
- What’s the summertime candy flavor?
