US Halloween sales are expected to rise just 1% this year as the season falls on a weekday meaning people are less likely to plan parties, says the National Confectioners Association (NCA).
A retail survey has predicted that $2.08bn will be spent on candy in America this Halloween, but what can snack manufacturers do to get a bite of the spook season action?
Mars Chocolate North America says that convenience stores are failing to achieve sales spikes enjoyed by other trade channels during seasonal periods because they have yet to optimize seasonal merchandising.
Forecast butter and milk powder shortages could limit the EU’s ability to keep up with domestic and global demand, according to chocolate and confectionery trade group CAOBISCO.
UK premium confectioner Thorntons has claimed consumer sentiment for gift chocolates is strong in spite of a troubled UK economy as it posts positive full year results.
At the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago, new confection and snack products on display reflect what flavors, ingredients and categories candy consumers are hungering for.
The German confectionery Association (BDSI) has denied media rumors that allege unused chocolate bunnies are melted down and remade as chocolate Santas.
Brazil has one of the largest markets for Easter confectionery and has had more Easter launches than anywhere else, but the Chinese have yet to look beyond the religious nature of the season as they have for Christmas, according to an analyst.
Confectioners are changing the structure of Easter chocolate egg packaging to cut the amount of materials needed while improving consumer appeal, according to a packaging expert.
Ferrero UK has lined up a flurry of seasonal promotion totting up to £6m ($9.6m) that it says puts it in second spot for food media spend this year, just behind Coca Cola.
Candy firms must consider a fifth season and hit Halloween hard for 2013 as the year is set to harbor challenging volumes due to shorter holidays, the National Confectioners Association has warned.
Confectioners are struggling to reduce their dependence on seasonal products in Brazil, but could benefit from the growth of premium chocolate, according to an analyst from Leatherhead Food Research.
