Retail & shopper insights

NACS is back in Chicago after last year's postponement. Pic: NACS

NACS 2021

Hershey goes to NACS Expo armed with key retail insights

By Anthony Myers

Hershey has pitched up at the 2021 National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show Expo in Chicago to reveal its key consumer insights to help retail partners meet evolving consumer needs.

Plans for this year's Halloween have already started early, according to recent studies. Pic: GettyImages

Halloween 2021

‘Americans plan to spend more than ever this Halloween’

By Anthony Myers

Consumer spending in the Unites States on Halloween-related items is expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14bn, up from $8.05bn in 2020, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NFR) annual survey.

79% of Americans say they plan to fill a Halloween candy bowl this season, according to a new survey. Pic: GettyImages

Halloween 2021

NCA reveals Americans’ favourite Halloween treats

By Anthony Myers

The Halloween season is an important one for the confectionery industry, accounting for approximately $4.6bn in sales each year during the eight weeks leading up to 31 October, according to the National Confectioners Association (NCA).

Chris McCann, CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. Pic: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM

Financial results

1-800-FLOWERS.COM breaks through the $2bn revenues barrier

By Anthony Myers

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, a leading e-commerce gift and confectionery provider, has reported total net revenues increased by 42.5% to a record $2.12bn in the full year ended June 27, 2021, compared with $1.49bn in the prior year.

Pic: Ritter Sport

Retail

Ritter Sport enters the supermarket countline fast lane

By Anthony Myers

German confectioner is set to introduce a range of mini impulse bars in the countline category (a consumer product that is supplied to retailers in packages of multiple items and sold individually to customers) for the first time.

Armen Topalian. Pic: Mars Food UK

Appointments

Mars Food UK promotes Armen Topalian to market director

By Anthony Myers

Mars Food UK has announced it has prompted Armen Topalian as general manager, with the title market director, replacing Craig Sargeant, who becomes general manager, pet nutrition, Australia at Mars.

Haribo said it is working on solutions to keep UK shelves stocked with its confectionery. Pic:  Haribo

Brexit

Haribo confectionery hit by HGV driver shortage in UK

By Anthony Myers

German firm said it was having trouble getting its products to customers in the UK, leading to a potential shortage on the shelves of Jelly babies, gummy bears and mini-fried eggs.

Chocolate consumption on the rise, survey finds

Chocolate consumption on the rise, survey finds

By Mary Ellen Shoup

Viewed as the antidote to a tough day, chocolate was the indulgence of choice for one-third of US grocery shoppers during the pandemic, according to a survey from Cargill's North American Cocoa & Chocolate team, which uncovered the primary purchase...

The 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo returns at the end of the month to showcase latest confectionery trends around the globe. Pic NCA

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2021

Sweets & Snacks Expo releases top confectionery trends for 2021

By Anthony Myers

As excitement continues to grow for the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo, held this year in Indianapolis from June 22-25, organisers have released a list of top trends for the 2021 confectionery and snack categories that will be seen on this year’s show...

It's #NationalCandyMonth in the US. Pic: GettyImages

Retail

NCA declares June ‘National Candy Month’

By Anthony Myers

June is National Candy Month in the US - according to the National Confectioners Association, who are marking the next 30 days with a number of promotional activities for candy makers and retailers to 'help address the confectionery sales gap between...

Destination Indianapolis: cars, food and nightlife are just some of the attractions of Indiana's State capital. Pic: visitindy.com

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2021

All roads lead to Indianapolis …

By Anthony Myers

Indiana is the 15th most populous state in the USA. Its capital is Indianapolis, where this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo is being held in June. We take a look at what else the state has to offer.

1-800-Flowers.com CEO Chris McCann. Pic: 1-800-Flowers.com

Financial results

1-800-Flowers.com reaps rewards of e-commerce boom

By Anthony Myers

One of North America’s leading e-commerce providers of products has reported results for its Fiscal 2021 Third Quarter ended March 28, 2021, with record total net revenues of $474.2m, driven by ecommerce growth of 83.2%.