Candy

Training Center Playbook

Welcome to the Candy page of CStore Decisions’ CStore Playbook, an online reference series for convenience store retailers. Whether you have questions on chocolate, non-chocolate, gum & mints, merchandising or trends, the resources below can help position your candy segment for success. Created by CStore Decisions’ editorial team, this playbook features answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, as well as in-depth articles about mastering the candy category.

Erin Del Conte

Editor-in-Chief, CSD

Candy Playbook Sponsored by

Tracking Candy Trends

What Are the Top Candy Trends in 2023?

Candy — Still Reliable Mainstay

Candy, Gum & Mint Sales See Upward Momentum

Whereas new products will always generate consumer interest, the same best-selling candy items in 2022 will be popular in 2023.

Candy remains popular among consumers, with non-chocolate showing strong promise as it edges ever closer to chocolate in terms of sales.

Candy segments at convenience stores are experiencing double-digit increases, with larger sizes rising in popularity.

Candy Sales Climb as Prices Rise

Is Non-Chocolate Candy as Popular as Chocolate?

Although non-chocolate sales are rising at a higher rate than chocolate sales, chocolate is still top dog in confectionary.

C-store retailers anticipate strong sales for the candy category in 2023, despite an uptick in prices.

Related Resources

Download Latest Planograms

See Latest Channel Insights

Stay Ahead of Product Launches

Sweet Sales Tips

How Is Inflation Impacting Candy Sales?

How to Boost Summer Candy Sales

How to Improve Gum and Mint Sales

How to Boost Non-Chocolate Sales

Following consumer trends can help c-store retailers give their candy segment an edge.

Promotions and brands with an attachment to a cause can help increase candy sales in c-stores.

Confectionery sales, especially for non-chocolate candy, seem to be elevated despite inflation.

C-stores can cross-promote candy with cold beverages or use seasonal signage to increase summer sales.

Merchandising Matters

Why Is it Important to Cross-Merchandise Candy?

How to Optimize the Candy Aisle

Should I Prioritize Staple Candy or New Flavors?

Should I Stock Candy Snack Mixes?

Hershey Solutions is a one-stop, 24-7 tool for product ordering, insights, merchandising tools, and rewards to help convenience retailers achieve category success. 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. The company has more than 100 brand names in approximately 80 countries around the world, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers, and fast-growing salty snacks including SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty and Dot’s Pretzels.

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