With a 10% jump in convenience-store sales, according to Nielsen, “bagged candy killed it last year,” said Andy Jones, president and CEO of Sprint Food Stores, Augusta, Ga. The segment did so well that it overtook chocolate bars as the largest subcategory in c-store candy sales. Novelty and seasonal candy grew more than 9%, while rolls, mints and drops rose more than 6% thanks to flavor innovation.
NACS SOI figures show a 4.6% jump in monthly candy sales but only a 2.4% increase in gross-profit dollars. Still, the category had a “strong performance,” Jones said.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.