Retail & Shopper Insights

Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Love me do: Americans want sweet treats for Valentine’s Day

By Anthony Myers

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.

Image source: Getty/urbazon

Super Bowl ranks high among holiday weekends, snacks take center stage

By Deniz Ataman

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...

Career path: Pic: GettyImages

Mentorship

NCA announces its 2024 Future Leaders class

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the eight confectionery industry professionals selected for its 2024 Future Leadership Programme.

Stevia seedlings. Pic: Howtian Group

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Colombia’s sugar reduction tax targets confectionery

By Anthony Myers

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...

The chocolate, confectionery, and bakery industry has adapted to demands for more healthy sweet treats. Pic: Getty Images

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

How confectionery embraced ‘healthy indulgence’

By Anthony Myers

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,...

Pic: GettyImages

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Food emotions can play a crucial part in healthy indulgence

By Anthony Myers

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...

As consumers become accustomed to time-efficient products and tools, they will be more receptive to adopting technologies like augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). GettyImages/Bernhard Lang

Advancing food tech in 2024: The year of convenience

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

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.

Lindt successfuly launched a vegan alternative chocolate bar in 2022. Pic: Lindt & Sprungli

Global vegan chocolate market expected to be worth $2bn by 2032

By Anthony Myers

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...

'People will always want to treat themselves,' new research into chocolate trends reveals. Pic: GettyImages

Trends

The shape and taste of chocolate in 2024 – what to expect …

By Anthony Myers

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...

Increased food and drink costs are a challenging but accepted outcome of high overall inflation rates. Yet when overall inflation reduces, but food inflation remains elevated, this brings with it confusion and questions. GettyImages/LordHenriVoton

‘Greedflation’ muddies the food industry’s financial landscape

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

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.

Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Oh! Oh! Oh! Is there a right way to eat a candy cane?

By Anthony Myers

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 …

Image source: Getty/Shannon Toth

How newstalgia blends comfort and novelty in the snack category

By Deniz Ataman

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,...

Tate & Lyle delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the European bakery market today. Pic: GettyImages

What is driving growth in bakery?

By Gill Hyslop

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.

How visual AI can improve operations in retail convenience

National Association for Convenience Stores

How visual AI can improve operations in retail convenience

By Deniz Ataman

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...

US consumers will still have plenty of candy treats on hand this Halloween. Pic: Getty Images

Seasonal

Reality bites? US Halloween candy sales unspooked by inflation

By Anthony Myers

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-store consumer habits: balancing impulse purchases with nuanced usage occasions

National Association for Convenience Stores

C-store consumer habits: balancing impulse purchases with nuanced usage occasions

By Deniz Ataman

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...

Today's shopper has an entire world of information at their fingertips to find out the history and benefits of the ingredients used within a product in an instant. Pic: GettyImages

The rise of the digital snacker

By Gill Hyslop

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...

Image Source: Yuki Kondo/Getty Images

NOVA classification matches consumer instincts, study finds

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

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.

Get ready to be vaulted into social media stardom. Pic: GettyImages

Calling all Aussie and Yankie cake creatives

By Gill Hyslop

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.

IFT Preview: Consumers will pay more for cleaner and natural ingredient labels

IFT FIRST

Consumers will pay more for cleaner and natural ingredient labels

By Deniz Ataman

“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...

The Candy Hall of Fame class of 2023. Pic: NCSA

Industry

NCSA announces inductees into Candy Hall of Fame 2023

By Anthony Myers

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.