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All candy and snack categories experienced sales growth in 2019, with confectionery leading the way.
DIVING INTO THE DATA
Following a year of minimal growth in 2018,
candy sales enjoyed a significant bump in 2019.
THE CONSUMER VIEW
Just two categories — candy and salty snacks — dominate more than 80 percent of the overall sales.
Candy & Snacks Snapshot
Category Analysis: Candy
Only two segments of the diverse salty snacks category experienced declines in total industry sales last year.
Candy Share by Segment
Salty Snacks Share by Segment
0.0%
0.2%
5.1%
15.6%
79.1%
Cigars
Papers
Electronic cigarettes
Pipe/cigarette tobacco
Smokeless
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
3.22%
3.19%
3.17%
3.13%
3.17%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
42.49%
48.26%
48.62%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
3.5%
2.8%
1.6%
0.1%
4.0%
Share of in-store sales
Margin percentage
Percent change in total sales
Click gray tabs to view
Five-Year Trend: Candy
Candy's total industry sales growth of 4 percent in 2019 was the category’s largest increase in the last five years.
Candy & Snack Items Purchased in the Past Month
Candy, gum or breath fresheners
Packaged
salty snacks
Packaged
sweet snacks
41%
37%
36%
Base: 1,509 U.S. shoppers aged 18+ who shop convenience stores at least once a month
Source: Convenience Store News 2020 Realities of the Aisle Study
Just shy of one-third of c-store shoppers purchase cigarettes in an average month.
Aside from fuel, candy was the product most widely purchased by c-shoppers in the past month.
Always purchase same brand
53.77%
Items Purchased With Prepared Foods
Base: 1,213 U.S. shoppers aged 18+ who purchased prepared food from a c-store in the past month
Source: Convenience Store News 2020 Realities of the Aisle Study
Almost all c-store prepared food shoppers (97%) buy at least one additional item. Candy/gum or a salty snack are among the top 10 pairings.
Candy
vs.
46%
Click images to view
WHAT'S TRENDING
ALWAYS-ON-THE-GO LIFESTYLES
Americans’ always-on-the-go lifestyles require ease and convenience. Snacking allows them to grab a quick bite virtually anywhere. There continues to be a steady influx of new, portable snacking options — particularly better-for-you alternatives — to fuel these active lifestyles.
SNACKS WITH SUSTENANCE
Satiety is important to consumers, who are looking for snacks that are filling. According to IRI’s State of the Snack Industry, 73 percent of consumers want snacks that provide sustenance, and 66 percent snack to “fuel their day” — up 11 points vs. 2015.
PERMISSIBLE INDULGENCE
Although today’s consumers are growing more health-conscious in their food choices, they are giving themselves permission to enjoy indulgent sweet and savory snacks from time to time, seeking moderation in their diets. Indulgence is growing in the morning, especially.
EMOTIONAL EATING
Research from market intelligence firm Mintel shows that approximately 50 percent of Americans say the top reason they snack is to treat themselves. Snacking for self-care also is a top motivator, as nearly two in five consumers (37 percent) snack to give themselves a break during the day, and 24 percent snack to relieve stress.
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The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 16,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive $8 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Pirate’s Booty.
For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed. To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com
SPONSORED BY
PRODUCED BY
The two segments with the most category share also saw the highest growth in total industry sales last year.
47.00%
49.02%
Category Analysis: Salty Snacks
Salty snacks’ 3.6 percent growth in total industry sales marked the category's second lowest increase in the last five years.
Puffed cheese posted the largest increase in total industry sales at 7.1 percent, and the largest gain in dollar share at 0.8 points.
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
3.22%
3.19%
3.17%
3.13%
3.17%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
42.49%
47.00%
48.26%
48.62%
49.02%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
3.5%
2.8%
1.6%
0.1%
4.0%
Share of in-store sales
Margin percentage
Percent change in total sales
Click gray tabs to view
Five-Year Trend: Candy
Candy's total industry sales growth of 4 percent in 2019 was the category’s largest increase in the last five years.
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2.73%
2.74%
2.81%
2.85%
2.87%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
31.47%
36.60%
37.86%
38.30%
38.05%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
5.8%
4.4%
4.5%
2.9%
3.6%
Share of in-store sales
Margin percentage
Percent change in total sales
Five-Year Trend: Salty Snacks
Category Analysis: Alternative Snacks
4.5%
Candy rolls, mints, drops
UNIT VOLUME
5.2%
Non-chocolate bars/packs
UNIT VOLUME
15.6%
Gum
UNIT VOLUME
24.6%
Chocolate bars/packs
UNIT VOLUME
Bagged/
repackaged peg candy
43.6%
Dollar Sales
Click circles to view Unit Volume
Bagged/
repackaged peg candy
41.7%
24.7%
Chocolate bars/packs
15.3%
Gum
8.4%
Non-chocolate bars/packs
4.7%
Candy rolls, mints, drops
UNIT VOLUME
Novelties/
seasonal
3.2%
3.1%
Novelties/
seasonal
UNIT VOLUME
Crackers
8.1%
UNIT VOLUME
5.2%
Crackers
Mixed
4.3%
UNIT VOLUME
5.5%
Mixed
9.7%
Puffed
cheese
UNIT VOLUME
10.5%
Puffed
Cheese
16.2%
Nuts/
Seeds
UNIT VOLUME
12.5%
Nuts/
Seeds
20.1%
Tortilla/
corn chips
UNIT VOLUME
22.8%
Tortilla/
corn chips
Potato
chips
26.4%
UNIT VOLUME
Potato chips
27.3%
Dollar Sales
Click circles to view Unit Volume
Popcorn (ready-to-eat)
3.7%
UNIT VOLUME
4.0%
Popcorn (ready-to-eat)
Pretzels
3.1%
UNIT VOLUME
3.8%
Pretzels
Other salty snacks
8.4%
UNIT VOLUME
8.4%
Other salty snacks
Meat snacks and granola/yogurt bars drove the category's 2.8 percent rise in total industry sales.
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
1.09%
1.11%
1.10%
1.10%
1.11%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
35.91%
43.70%
44.09%
43.43%
43.41%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
8.4%
6.0%
1.4%
1.8%
2.8%
Share of in-store sales
Margin percentage
Percent change in total sales
Five-Year Trend: Alternative Snacks
Growth around alternative snacks has slowed in recent years, although 2019 marked an improvement from 2018.
35%
Snack packs
Meat snacks
28%
19%
17%
Nuts/trail mix
Energy/
nutrition bars
Alternative Snacks Share by Segment
Dollar Sales
Click circles to view Unit Volume
49.4%
Meat snacks
UNIT VOLUME
60.1%
Meat snacks
32.5%
Health/ energy bars
UNIT VOLUME
27.5%
Health/
energy bars
13.2%
Granola/
yogurt bars
UNIT VOLUME
6.3%
Granola/
yogurt bars
4.9%
Other alternative snacks
UNIT VOLUME
6.1%
Other alternative snacks
Meat snacks continue to dominate dollar share of the alternative snacks category.
Four out of the top 10 items purchased by consumers in the past month at c-stores were candy or snacks.
Female c-store shoppers are more likely than males to have candy, sweet snacks and salty snacks in their baskets.
36%
females
males
females
males
Sweet Snacks
vs.
39%
33%
females
males
Salty Snacks
vs.
42%
31%
Candy/gum
31%
Packaged salty snack
24%
Packaged sweet snack
22%
