Candy and snacks are staples of the c-store industry and key differentiators when competing against other channels like quick-service restaurants (QSRs). Consumer behavior and preferences, however, continue to evolve.
Historically, chocolate has reigned supreme in c-stores when it comes to the candy category. And while this is still true today, non-chocolate candy has been vying to dethrone the category king for the past few years.
C-store customers spent roughly $3.6 billion on chocolate, compared to about $3.4 billion on non-chocolate candy products, for the 52 weeks ending March 23, according to Chicago-based market research firm Circana.
While most candy segments saw a slight downtick in 2024, seasonal and limited-time offerings (LTOs) increased considerably, further signifying consumers’ desire for unique and never-before-seen products.
Yatco, which operates 15 stores and has six dealer-operated locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, is leaning into the trend.
“In 2025, we are seeing trends from candy that encompass innovative flavors and unique textures. Candy manufacturers are introducing new flavors and formats to attract adventurous consumers,” said Hussein Yatim, vice president at Yatco. “Mars Wrigley, for instance, expanded its M&M’s lineup with peanut butter and jelly-flavored chocolates and introduced Snickers Pecan, combining caramel, nougat, milk chocolate and pecans.”
Yatim noted that products offering a dynamic tasting experience have proven to be successful at Yatco, like flavor-changing Ice Breakers and NERDS Gummy Clusters, which Yatim described as “overwhelmingly popular.”
The retailer is also testing out glow-in-the-dark Sour Patch and Swedish Fish offerings in an attempt to provide customers with candies that create an experience beyond their flavor profiles.
In terms of flavor profiles, Yatim said that Yatco customers are seeking the following four options: fruity with a twist, flavor-shifting/layered flavors, nostalgic and familiar, and textural fusion.
“Exotic fruits are taking center stage — lychee, dragon fruit, yuzu, passionfruit and mango chili are being used in gummies and chews,” he said. “… Retro flavors are also making a comeback — root beer, cotton candy, creamsicle, marshmallow and classic PB&J are popular in both new releases and rebranded classics.”
Corner Store, which operates four c-stores in Texas, is also seeing an increased demand for unique offerings. Over the past few months, freeze-dried candy has been performing extraordinarily well, as well as gummies derived from already-popular candies like Skittles and Jolly Ranchers, said Judy Wall, director of operations, Corner Store.
“People will reach for anything ‘gummy’ — especially the Skittles gummies,” she said. “Large name brands have realized this as well, and they seem to be selling well at our locations.”
Corner Store has also seen more demand for its “family size” candy products, with Wall noting that most customers defer to the larger option when they have the choice. Gum, as well, has seen significant in-store improvement.
“Our candy, gum and snack sales are just getting better and better every year. Gum, especially — we can’t get enough of it,” said Wall.
Wall also mirrored Yatim’s sentiments on customer preference, noting that they are increasingly seeking bold flavors and multisensory candies, with NERDS Clusters again being a standout.
Tackling Snacks
On the snacking front, innovation is just as important. According to Circana data, c-store consumers spent nearly $8 billion on salty snacks and $2 billion on dried meat snacks during the 52-week period ending March 23. Potato chips still hold the largest share of the market, with tortilla chips and cheese snacks following behind.
One trend that continues to rise is health-focused products, or offerings that have an explicit nutritional benefit.
“Consumers are increasingly seeking snacks that offer health benefits, such as high-protein content, plant-based ingredients and functional additives like probiotics and adaptogens,” said Yatim. “Items like protein bars, meat snacks and plant-based chips are gaining popularity, aligning with the growing wellness movement.”
Corner Store is seeing a similar trend, with protein bars and shakes “flying off the shelves,” according to Wall.
“It’s not the typical ones that taste like protein; it’s the ones that are flavored that do really well,” she said. “Cookies and cream, peanut butter — anything to kind of mask that protein taste — sells (really well).”
In similar fashion to the candy category, snacking customers are also seeking unique flavors. There is a growing appetite for snacks featuring adventurous flavor combinations, said Yatim, reflecting the trend toward bold and diverse taste experiences.
For Yatco, some of these flavors include hot honey, chili lime, kimchi, gochujang and sriracha, in addition to tajín-dusted products. Corner Store is also seeing success with tajín and chamoy items.
