Retail & Shopper Insights

Cadbury's is the favourite Easter Egg brand, according to research. Pic: Mondelez International

Easter 2023

Cadbury's Easter eggs come out tops for UK consumers, research reveals

By Anthony Myers

With Easter in the UK becoming more of a celebration akin to Halloween and Christmas, new research has revealed that 82% of consumers said they'd spend the traditional long weekend with family, with approximately 20% spending it with friends. A third...

A whopping 93% of American adults have a guilty snack before retiring to bed. Pic: GettyImages/nastenkapeka

To snack or not to snack to get a good night’s slumber?

By Gill Hyslop

Sleep Foundation research reveals 93% of US adults have an after-dinner snack at least once a week. Obviously aimed at finding ways to improve sleep quality, the Foundation’s latest survey results also offers a wealth of opportunities for functional bakery...

Anton Vincent receives his Distinguished Service Award from NCA President and CEO, John Downs. Pic: NCA

SOTIC 2023

Mars’ Anton Vincent and Ross Born recognised by NCA at SOTIC

By Anthony Myers

Anton Vincent, president of Mars Wrigley North America, was honoured with a Distinguished Service Award by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and Ross Born picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award at its 2023 State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC).

Snacks sales have experienced highs and lows over the past two years. Pic: GettyImages/John Gollop/PM Images

The highs and lows of US snacking sales

By Gill Hyslop

To help drive sales during National Snack Food Month (February), Cincinnati-based retail data science, insights and media company 84.51° has shared an assortment of snacking takeaways for retailers.

Pic: GettyImages

SOTIC 2023

NCA announces 2023 Confectionery Leadership Awards

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) announced that Target’s Tiffany Trombley, director of seasonal candy and snacks, and Sam’s Club’s Todd Budzinski, senior director of merchandising, candy & commercial bread, are the recipients of the 2023...

The pathway to health through food will take on a different narrative in 2023. Pic: SVZ

Hottest snack trends for 2023

The new snacking landscape: 3 alternative routes to guilt-free indulgence in 2023

By Gill Hyslop

For producers of traditionally indulgent snacks, New Year’s Resolutions raise the perennial challenge – how to keep health-conscious consumers engaged when they are at their most vigilant and discerning. Fortunately, the narratives around ‘guilt’, ‘indulgence’...

Pic: William reed

M&As

William Reed acquires Retail Week and World Retail Congress

By Anthony Myers

William Reed, the publisher of ConfectioneryNews and BakeryandSnacks, has announced it has bought Retail Week and World Retail Congress, to complement its fast-growing business in digital content, insight, events and exhibitions.

Decorating the Christmas tree is popular in Utah (82%), New York (79%) and Vermont (79%), according to a Hershey survey. Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Hershey covers all candy bases with Christmas heat map for consumers

By Anthony Myers

American candy lovers can now discover what Christmas tradition is most popular in their state with Hershey’s holiday tradition heat map and then use the candy pairing guide to make sure they’re stocking up on the right iconic sweets to help make holiday...

Germany's popular chocolate Santa Clauses are proving more popular this year. Pic: CN

Seasonal

Germany’s chocolate Santa Clauses enjoy export boom

By Anthony Myers

Despite soaring energy costs and supply chain issues, the German confectionery industry said it has produced approximately 5.6% more chocolate Santa Clauses for the Christmas season this year.

Pic: gettyimages

Seasonal

Chocolate advent calendar guide

By Anthony Myers

Not bought a chocolate advent calendar yet? Here is a selection to help you choose and get in the festive mood, from vegan options to luxury best buy ...

Research by Délifrance reveals that healthier options could encourage 21% of consumers to eat more bread. Pic: Délifrance

Healthy snacking

The meteoric rise of the conscious consumer

By Gill Hyslop

These consumers still want to purchase indulgent pastries or breads out-of-home or on-the-go, but these days are placing more emphasis on treats that are guilt-free.

Brands will have 365 healthy opportunities to appeal to consumers in 2023. Pic: GettyImages/anyaivanova

Healthy snacking

What will drive the healthy snack space in 2023?

By Gill Hyslop

While snacking has long been associated with indulgence and fulfilling a guilty craving, a raft of new offers are popping up on the market that more closely align with consumers’ holistic wellness goals.