“American consumers will show a lot of love for Valentine’s Day this year, new data from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics reveals. Shoppers are expected to spend a record $20.7 billion… Valentine’s Day observers plan to spend… $1.8 billion on candy (52 percent).”
Candy Industry
2-12-19
“Driven by consumer demand for more unique, interactive experiences, confectionery and snack product launches have grown globally by 17 percent over the last five years, Innova Market Insights reports. The research firm also notes one in four global consumers increased their consumption of confectionery items over the past year because there is more variety and novelty available.”
Candy Industry
1-15-19
“A survey from the National Confectioners Association found 80% of Americans plan to share chocolate and candy with friends, family and loved ones for Valentine’s Day…According to Eat Out Eat Well, $448 million is spent on candy during the holiday season — which amounts to 58 million pounds of chocolate and 36 million heart-shaped boxes.”
FoodDive
1-4-19
“The global confectionery market is expected to reach $284.4 billion by 2025, according to a new report from Hexa Research. Increasing innovation among existing products and surging global demand for chocolate products are among the key drivers pushing market growth.”
Candy Industry
1-10-19
“The maker of Oreos, Chips Ahoy and Ritz crackers is relocating its headquarters to Chicago next year in another boost to the up-and-coming Fulton Market neighborhood. Mondelez International will move about 400 jobs from north suburban Deerfield to its new Near West Side offices in 2020…”
Chicago Sun-Times
1-7-19
“Technavio analysts forecast the global chocolate market to grow at a [compound annual growth rate] close to 5% during the forecast period, according to their latest market research report.”
Business Wire
1-7-19
“…Hershey’s senior brand manager… said Cookie Layer Crunch has “become our company’s biggest launch in over 10 years” and from a retail sales perspective, is in the top 2.5% of all significant [candy, mint and gum] launches in the past five years… As of November 5, 2017, retail sales hit $100 million.”
Food Dive
12-11-18
“Mondelez International Inc. said Tuesday that it’s launching an innovation hub called SnackFutures in November that will create new brands and businesses, rework small Mondelez brands for greater success, and seed new businesses with start-ups.”
MarketWatch
10-30-18
“Overall, total U.S. retail sales of chocolate confectionery are estimated to have grown 15% since 2012 to reach $18.5 billion in 2018.”
Convenience Store Decisions
10-29-18
“The Hershey Co.’s consolidated net sales increased by more than two percentage points in this year’s third-quarter. The candy and snack company’s Halloween product launch and its recent acquisition of Pirate Brands drove the surge, Michele Buck, president and CEO, said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call on Oct. 25.…”[we are] on track to deliver our first-ever $600 million [Halloween] season,” Buck said.”
CSP Daily News
10-25-18
“Chocolate-novelty Kinder Joy hit the U.S. market in November of last year and has since surpassed parent-company Ferrero USA’s targets with more than 90 million eggs sold.”
NJBiz
10-19-18
“Albanese Confectionery in Hobart, Indiana, will get a 10-year tax break on its $33 million expansion, which will include “a fourth production line, packaging line, bulk sugar system and other production plans,” according to the Chicago Tribune. The company, which makes Gummi Bears and other candies, will hire about 150 people as a result of the expansion and expects to have more than 550 employees by 2019.”
Chicago Tribune
1-19-18
“Nestle is selling its U.S. confectionery business to Italian chocolate and candy maker Ferrero for an estimated $2.8 billion, the company said Tuesday. Nestle’s American sweet treats include Nestle Crunch, Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Raisinets, Nips, Skinny Cow and Laffy Taffy.”
USA Today
1-16-18
“Candy king Hershey is buying Amplify Snack Brands, the maker of SkinnyPop popcorn, for $1.6 billion. The Hershey acquisition values Amplify Snack Brands at $12 a share – a more than 70% bump from the $7 price that the stock closed at on Friday. Shares of Amplify Snack Brands surged nearly 71% Monday morning.”
CNN Money
12-18-17
“John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. said it is expanding its product line with the purchase of Squirrel Brand, a company that started in 1888. The Elgin company said it purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Squirrel Brand for $31.5 million, of which $20 million was paid in cash and $11.5 million was financed by the seller through a three year unsecured promissory note.”
Daily Herald (Chicago)
12-1-17