Chocolate & Confectionery
InDepth
In one of specialty foods’ most competitive categories, you’ll benefit from industry news about confectioners big and small, domestic and international; product innovations and flavor trends that keep customers coming back for more; and what movements like fair trade mean for your business.
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Chocolate and Confectionery Sales by Age
Chocolate
Non-Chocolate
Base: 987 adults aged 18+ with internet access who purchase specialty foods
Source: MINTEL/Specialty Food Association Today’s Specialty Food Consumer 2012
According to Specialty Food Association’s 2012 “Today’s Specialty Food Consumer Report,” 62 percent of consumers surveyed purchase chocolate, with younger age groups the most likely to purchase. Fewer consumers report purchasing non-chocolate candy, but their shopping patterns by age groups are consistent.
Chocolate And Confectionery News
All 9-year-old Elasya Jessup wanted last fall was an American Girl doll.
The artisanal chocolate industry is booming.
The Chocolate Ladies, Talbott, Tenn., makes custom sweets, mainly during the holidays.
Candy Counter
Label-reading has infiltrated the candy aisle, with more consumers wanting cleaner ingredients even in their indulgences. But flavor punches still draw the masses, as candies get creative with salt, sour and downright surprising flavors. Here’s what you need to know.
While the Big Four holidays get all the press, with just a bit more effort you can come up with reasons to highlight confections every month and boost sales during seasonal lulls. Here are ideas to help you devise a year full of candy showcases.
Chocolate And Confectionery Trends
When pairing products, cheesemongers like sweet, savory, briny, chocolaty and crunchy with their cheeses. Neutral and fruity crackers also rate.
Label-reading has infiltrated the candy aisle, with more consumers wanting cleaner ingredients even in their indulgences. But flavor punches still draw the masses, as candies get creative with salt, sour and downright surprising flavors. Here’s what you need to know.
New Product News: Chocolate And Confectionery
The artisanal chocolate industry is booming.
Wrigley temporarily halted production of its new Alert Energy Caffeine Gum in response to concerns expressed by FDA over the impact of caffeine on children and adolescents.
Cape Cod Provisions LLC, Pocasset, Mass., now offers two of their top-selling berries—Dark Chocolate Covered Cranberries and Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries—with almonds.
Managing Chocolate And Confectionery
This year’s bounty of new openings in the Bay Area is focused on three hopping areas: the Mission District, Hayes Valley and Oakland. In the Mission, new locations from two renowned chefs and a chocolatier add to the mix of restaurants, cafes and bars in ...
Candy promotions can extend beyond the Big Four holidays as you'll read on in the January/February 2013 Specialty Food Magazine feature "Candy Counter: 12 Months of Candy Promotions" . We want to see how you're promoting candy for less well-known occasions and events. Submit PhotosSend ...
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Category Flavor Trends
Spirits and herbs have emerged as the leading 2013 chocolate and candy trend predictions. Weigh in with your picks on Twitter using the button and hashtag below.
featured product
Gourmet Chocolate Bars
by Hammond's Candies
