Everyday chocolate, seasonal candies and premium chocolate all posted US dollar gains for the market, though driven in part by price increases implemented to offset rises in raw material and other costs.
From a channel perspective, according to David Sprinkle, publisher for Packaged Facts, chocolate is showing particular resilience in convenience stores and natural food stores. In natural food stores, organic chocolates posted nearly 20% growth in 2011, according to SPINSscan data cited in the report.
Conventional supermarkets nonetheless remain the main channel for chocolate sales, followed by convenience stores.
While the US remains challenged by economic doldrums, chocolate can be counted on to outpace overall food market growth. Packaged Facts identified the following as factors that will continue to spur dollar gains in the market:
Source: Packaged Facts
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024