Confectionery sales in the United States hit $48 billion in 2023 (up from $42.6bn in 2022 ), according to the National Confectioners Association’s 2024 State of Treating report, which was released at its Cconference in Miami this week.
The National Confectioners Association has been advising its members on artificial intelligence for the past 12 months, so it is no surprise it will play a major part of its State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Miami, which opens this Sunday.
There certainly is a desire for baked goods that are better-for-you, but consumers are not prepared to sacrifice on taste. There’s also a growing desire for sustainable options, but how is that fairing in the current economic climate?
Chocolate and candy's role as a social currency has been reinforced during the Valentine’s Day season in the US, with 92% of Americans claiming they plan to share confectionery with friends, family, and loved ones.
As Las Vegas prepares for the estimated $215bn economic growth from the additional 215,00 visitors for the Super Bowl, CPG companies and retailers have a significant opportunity to feature value-added offerings for viewers across the country, according...
Greenwashing around sustainability hurts the growth of important initiatives for the environment, society and animal welfare, but when companies make honest, transparent and science-backed claims about their sustainability, consumer trust is not only...
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the eight confectionery industry professionals selected for its 2024 Future Leadership Programme.
The global landscape of food consumption is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of sugar taxes in over 120 countries. These initiatives are primarily aimed at guiding consumers towards healthier lifestyle choices by reducing the intake...
Consumers are increasingly focusing on their health without compromising on taste, which is why healthy indulgence has become a serious trend. Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z) are looking for foods and beverages that are tasty, good for you,...
New research from Mintel into global chocolate and confectionery consumption has uncovered contrasting behaviours in different nations, including Germany and the US, and suggests behaviours could be changing over time as the trend for healthy indulgence...
The notion of ‘healthy indulgence’ represents a shift of emphasis – and an exciting opportunity – for confectioners, chocolatiers, and bakers who are only too well aware that consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and interested in sugar...
A new era of convenience will emerge in 2024 as ever-evolving augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology streamlines consumers’ meal planning, shopping and cooking habits.
With a mission to expand access to nutritious food worldwide, The EVERY Company’s CEO, Arturo Elizondo explained to FoodNavigator-USA how its B2C partnerships allows for its products to appear “more broadly” in the market, from retail products to food...
The global vegan chocolate market is estimated to be worth a conservative $2 billion by 2032, and as the Veganuary campaign begins, the surge in awareness about the benefits of plant-based food and confectionery products could see an even greater growth...
Biotech company Oobli is expanding its confections portfolio with the release of a line of milk chocolate bars, demonstrating sweet proteins' potential for chocolate applications, company CEO Ali Wing told FoodNavigator-USA.
Chocolate confectionery is a significant market, expected to be worth over $128 billion (130 billion Euro) in global retail sales by the end of 2024. With a volume growth of +2% over the next 5 years to 2027, it is also a dynamic market, so what trends...
The UK’s favourite Christmas chocolates have been crowned just in time for the festive season – with Celebrations from Mars taking the accolade this year, according to polling by YouGov.
Latest figures show that although inflation in Europe’s euro-using countries has slowed, real food inflation remains higher and seemingly undeterred, raising questions about whether unfair profiteering and competition are to blame.
There’s no more evident sign that the winter holidays are here than the emergence of candy canes on store shelves in the US – but what is the “right” way to eat them? It’s a fun question that always gets American consumers in a twist, so here goes …
First Lady Jill Biden has enlisted the help of the National Confectioners Association's (NCA) help with Christmas decorations as she unveiled The White House 2023 holiday theme and décor.
Consumers still crave familiar flavors and experiences, as they did during the pandemic, but they also are open to new innovations and technologies -- leading to an emerging trend of 'newstalgia,' Kevin Ryan, CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research,...
Mintel's 2024 food and drink trends list for North America shows consumers will be concerned about their health, the environment, and how AI might make their lives easier, Jenny Zegler, director of Mintel Food & Drink, shared during a webinar....
Consumer research by Tate & Lyle reveals almost half of 18-34-year-olds across the UK and Europe tuck into a sweet or savoury baked treat daily. A third of consumers aged 34 and above are doing the same.
A new report from the National Confectioners Association (NCA) has found that 64% of total chocolate and candy sales in the US are attributed to the big four seasons – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays - ensuring that confectionery...
This year, the chocolate industry’s most glamorous trade fair spanned five days and commanded two floors of the Paris Porte de Versailles exhibition centre, engaging and delighting the general public and attracting chocolatiers and chefs from across the...
Consumers are adapting their attitudes about food to a changing climate and aiming for more sustainable eating habits, research in Tetra Pak’s 2023 Index suggests. The research also indicated that consumers are gravitating towards healthier products,...
Visual artificial intelligence's role in retail offers a potential solution to streamlining operations in real time, according to Doug New, chief information officer, Nouria Energy and Dr. Bruce Porter, chief science officer, Spark Cognition, who...
Scary monsters (and super creeps) with false teeth may not be the only ones to bite this Halloween as inflation is also hitting households across the United States, forcing many families to keep tight control of the purse strings.
C-stores can attract and retain customers who are looking for a quick and easy meal or snack by offering a variety of fresh and convenient food options, as well as bundling deals that offer discounts on popular products, Kathy Risch SVP, shopper insights...
The American confectionery industry is looking forward to increasing sales this Halloween after a survey revealed 98% of Americans will be offering treats to young visitors knocking at their doors.
The ingredients specialist for the bakery, sweet treats and chocolate industry revealed its industry trends and consumer preferences at its Taste Tomorrow conference.
Fairtrade America has released new research showing that consumers are seeking out foods and beverages that support farmer's livelihood and the environment -- revealing an opportunity for CPG brands to draw attention to their products through Fairtrade-certified...
Mars Incorporated, owners of the popular Galaxy bar in the UK, has admitted to reducing its size while raising the price of a bar - in another example of so called ‘shrinkflation’.
Cocoa-free chocolate pioneers WNWN Food Labs is collaborating with Fortnum & Mason in a series of sustainability-led activations, masterclasses, talks, and dinners.
Beverage products entering the Middle Eastern market need to be clean label and low in sugar in order to gain a strong local foothold, with both regulatory pressure and consumer demand firmly pushing trends in this direction.
Consumers are readying their wallets for increases in grocery bills due to the holiday season, as inflation concerns decrease slightly, 84.51° shared in a recent whitepaper.
The world is currently fraught with uncertainties, ranging from economic and political instability to the ongoing threat of climate change and supply chain shortages. Along with the ever-present shadow of Covid-19, these factors are impacting people’s...
Technological advancements have opened seemingly infinite possibilities for innovation within the snack and bakery industry. We’re in a new era of food manufacturing with the ability to create a more connected experience for consumers and more efficient...
With the summer ice cream season almost over, the market is facing fresh challenges as consumers pushback on discretionary spending, driving down volume, and look for more sustainable and high-quality products, Sherry Frey, VP of total wellness for NIQ,...
Simplicity is key for foodies, according to Curious Plot’s latest study on consumer curiosity where “early adopter consumers” across generations provided culinary, nutrition and sustainability insights on what drives their food choices and habits.
The NOVA classification system is used to ascertain whether foods are minimally processed, processed or ‘ultra-processed’. A new study has found that people’s perceptions of foods and their processing levels usually align with their NOVA classification.
To celebrate Culinary Arts Month, chocolate producer Yowie Group is invited bakers in the US and Australia - from professionals to home wizards - to showcase your baking passion and eye-popping talent in its first-ever Cake Decorating Contest.
“Generally, consumers are not really interested in the science. Just looking at the ingredients label, a shorter ingredient label deck resonates very much with consumers, and they attach it to a healthier product,” Lauretta-Lyn Katsriku, global platform...
By leveraging foot-traffic data, retailers can understand how their consumers are spending time in-store to develop a personalized and streamlined shopping experience.
The price of cocoa, and therefore chocolate, may be rising but the demand for chocolate from consumers also shows no signs of abating as the industry celebrates this year’s World Chocolate Day (7 July) with some nutty friends.
The average American eats 48 pints of ice cream per year - and according to new consumer research, adults with children reach out for a frozen treat more often than most.
Registration is open for the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) 52nd Candy Hall of Fame weekend, honouring 11 industry leaders who have significantly impacted the confectionery industry.