TL;DR
Confectionery sales in traditional channels have surpassed $34 billion, making it a strong growth leader in the industry. Convenience stores remain the fastest-growing channel, with chocolate and non-chocolate candy both experiencing double-digit growth. Sugarfree gum sales have also seen a significant increase. Independent retailers can take advantage of this trend by focusing on seasonal candy, snack-size products, and smaller bags and boxes. It’s important to monitor trends and adjust inventory accordingly to maximize sales.
As an independent retailer, staying on top of current market trends is crucial for the growth and success of your business. According to a recent report, confectionery dollar sales in traditional channels have exceeded $34 billion. This data highlights the immense potential for independent retailers in the confectionery industry.
One of the standout findings from the report is the strong growth of confectionery sales, with a 12.4 percent increase in the past 52 weeks. This data highlights the importance of confectionery products and their continued popularity among consumers. As an independent retailer, you can capitalize on this trend by ensuring that your store stocks a wide variety of confectionery items to cater to your customer’s preferences.
Convenience stores have emerged as the fastest-growing channel, with a 14.5 percent increase in sales over the past year. This statistic highlights the importance of convenience and accessibility for consumers when purchasing confectionery products. Independent retailers can focus on enhancing the convenience factor by strategically placing confectionery products near checkout counters or high-traffic areas.
The chocolate sector remains a dominant force in the confectionery industry, representing 55 percent of dollar sales. However, it’s important to note that while chocolate sales grew by 9.5 percent, recent trends indicate a slowing down in growth. By monitoring trends and adjusting your inventory accordingly, you can ensure you stock the chocolate items that are still experiencing double-digit growth, such as seasonal candy, snack-size products, and smaller bags and boxes.
Non-chocolate candy has been outperforming chocolate in terms of both dollars and units. In the past 52 weeks, non-chocolate dollar gains increased by an impressive 15.6 percent. As an independent retailer, you can take advantage of this trend by diversifying your confectionery offerings and ensuring that you have a wide range of non-chocolate options available to cater to different consumer preferences.
Gum sales have also seen a notable increase, with dollar sales reaching $3.3 billion in the past year. Sugarfree gum accounts for a significant portion of these sales, with 87 percent of gum sales coming from sugarfree options. As an independent retailer, it is wise to prioritize stocking a variety of sugarfree gum options to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers.
