The report by Generation Research pinpoints Guylian, Toms, Masterfoods, Lindt, Nestle and Godiva to have all received over 11.8 per cent sales growth within the market in 2006. The confectionery industry grew by 11.8 per cent within the global duty free and travel retail sales market in 2006, which could be due to the tighter security controls at airports, forcing consumers to spend longer in airport terminals, the report stated. The confectionery segment reached nearly $1.9bn and has grown on average by 10.1 per cent over the past four quarters, the report said. "Confectionery is well above the market average growth resulting in the conclusion that confectionery's importance and market share in global duty free and travel retail sales is continuing to improve," Generation Research said. Sales growth of luxury goods was the highest within the market, growing 8.4 per cent between the first half 2006 and the first half 2007. Confectionery sales growth came in second at 7.4 per cent, followed by beauty products at 7 per cent. The report said Europe represented 64 per cent of all confectionery sales within the market, with Continental Europe contributing 36.4 per cent, the Nordic area 16.8 per cent and the British Isles 10.8 per cent. Asia Pacific were the next largest market segment with 17.9 per cent of global sales, and Africa and the Middle East holding 9.6 per cent of the market share.
