Dive Brief:
- More than a third of of U.S. adults (39%) purchased chocolate candy from seasonal sections in stores this year, up from 27% in 2014, according to a story on the 11th edition of Packaged Facts's Chocolate Candy Market in the U.S. report that appeared in Food Manufacturing.
- The trend toward targeting the seasons and holidays continues, with new products in 2016 aimed toward developing the summer and autumn seasons, the report said. In addition to chocolate, gummies and chewy candy products are finding a larger presence on seasonal shelves, with reported increases in both these segments.
- Premium chocolate is also increasing in the seasonal market as more consumers are opting for higher-grade chocolates for gift-giving at Easter and Christmas.
Dive Insight:
According to Mechtronics, chocolate sales are responsible for half of the U.S. confectionery market, and the luxury segment is increasing like never before. It’s no wonder that artisanal chocolate makers are expanding their offerings and flavors to reach out to these consumers.
There’s no better time to sell chocolate than during the holidays. Many chocolate manufacturers devote a great deal of time and resources to these short seasonal times because that’s when the greatest amount of chocolate gets sold.
In Packaged Facts’s report, lead researcher David Sprinkle wrote that successful brands understand the need to support seasonal products during key holidays and gift-giving occasions. Based on the sales numbers, there is a large consumer demand for seasonal chocolates.
Many manufacturers have helped increase sales by tying in sounds and sights of the season to their marketing campaigns as holiday themes make people think of giving, and chocolate is one of the leading gifts in this regard.