Retail & Shopper Insights

Americans consumed the equivalent of 270 jumbo jets-worth of snacks on Super Bowl Sunday. Pic: GettyImages/Lew Robertson

Super Bowl Sunday snacking was more serious than ever before

By Gill Hyslop

While Americans forked out $30.5bn for snacks in 2021, according to Chicago-based market researcher IRI, the event that really got them tucking in was this year’s Super Bowl Sunday, with SNAC International data showing a whopping 112 million pounds of...

Healthy products are one of the main features in the ISM New Products Showcase in 2022. Pic: Koelnmesse

ProSweets/ISM Cologne

ISM 2022 in full swing with emphasis on plant-based and healthy products

By Anthony Myers

ProSweets/ISM Cologne opened its doors on Sunday after a two-year break due to the pandemic and organisers Koelnmesse said the event this year is running at 80% of exhibition space booked with 24% of companies from Germany and 76% from abroad.

ISM/ProSweets Cologne 2022 looks sets to open its ddoors again at the end of this month. Pic: Koelnmesse

ISM/ProSweets Cologne 2022

ProSweets Cologne and ISM set for take off in 2022

By Anthony Myers

Koelnmesse, organisers of ProSweets Cologne/ISM trade fair for sweets and snacks, said it is under starter's orders and will open its doors on 30 January 2022 for this year’s event.

Latest chocolate fashion is one of the highlights of Salon du Chocolat. Pic: Salon du Chocolat

Trade

Salon du Chocolat 2021 returns as a live event

By Anthony Myers

After going online in 2020, the Salon du Chocolat is back for its 26th edition at its usual home, the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre in Paris, France.

Americans are looking forward to this year's Halloween, with candy sales up. Pic: GettyImages

Halloween 2021

No panic over Halloween confectionery, says NCA

By Anthony Myers

With candy sales up 48% on last year and trick-or-treating regarded as a ‘safe activity’, Americans can look forward to the holiday season despite costume shortages in some stores.

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.