The Hispanic demographic outpaces other coffee consumers by 12%. In original research published on Sept. 20, 2012, the National Coffee Association (NCA) finds that Hispanic-Americans drink significantly more coffee than their non-Hispanic neighbors. The report, Ethnicity and Coffee, reveals that 74% of Hispanic-Americans drink coffee daily, 12% more than other Americans. The Hispanic-American coffee edge [...]
2013 show floor is already 85% sold out. The 2012 SWEETS & SNACKS EXPO, held May 8–10 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, featured the biggest show floor in the history of the event, attracting new companies, top customers and product innovation. Sponsored by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the 2012 SWEETS & SNACKS EXPO, hosted a [...]
Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. After years of tremendous growth, gum sales have struggled as new products and line extensions crowd the category. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. Innovation is a great thing, especially in the fickle gum category. But Danna Huskey, category manager for Texarkana, Texas-based E-Z Mart stores [...]
Market researchers report that between 82% and 92% of Americans admit to indulging in chocolate candy. Even more important is the revelation that the majority of them do it at least once a month. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. Americans aren’t eating out as much as they used to, but they are eating more chocolate, [...]
Despite the continued economic doldrums, U.S. confectionery sales have grown at a pace of 4.2% annually and generate $29 billion in total sales, according to SymphonyIRI, a Chicago-based research firm. Jenn Elleck, of the National Confectioners Association (NCA), said the biggest misconception about selling candy is that candy sells itself. “Retailers don’t think they need [...]
One in four coffee drinkers are now choosing gourmet products daily as younger consumers embrace upscale brews. By John Lofstock, Editor. Coffee consumption tracks strong and steady, according to the National Coffee Association’s (NCA) National Coffee Drinking Trends, with sales data suggesting a solid footing for future growth. Rebounding youth consumption, strong gourmet allegiance and [...]
2012 marks the third time Stansfield is recognized by NCA with previous wins 1994 and 2003. Rite Aid Category Manager Val Stansfield received the 2012 Confectionery Leadership Award from the National Confectioners Association (NCA), one of the oldest, most respected confection associations in the world. Awarded annually, recipients must demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviors in business [...]
Avoiding common pitfalls and developing a merchandising plan can boost convenience store confectionery sales. By Heather Henstock, Contributing Editor. Keeping shelves full of customers’ favorite candy, gum and mint brands may seem like an obvious practice for convenience store category mangers. However, controlling out-of-stocks continues to be the top challenge for c-stores managing the candy [...]
Hot beverages anchor the industry’s foodservice offering, but the category is also a top in-store destination and among the most profitable. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Numbers don’t lie–and when it comes to consumers and coffee, they show a category poised for even greater growth in the months ahead.Coffee consumption among consumers aged 18-29 [...]
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the recent election of three new NCA officers, as well as several members to the Board of Trustees and Executive Board. Mitchell Goetze, executive vice-president & COO of Goetze’s Candy Co. Inc., has been elected chairman of the Board of Trustees. He succeeds Michael Gilmore of the Ferrara [...]
What’s Coming? Thinking about a planogram refresh in candy? The National Confectioners Association (NCA) in Washington, D.C. advised that the category is taking a turn toward the upscale. “There is a big gourmet boom. I think we’re also going to have a ‘chocolate-covered’ category made up of things you don’t normally see covered in chocolate, [...]
Americans’ love affair with chocolate will never end. That said, sales of non-chocolate candy and gum are rising steadily, fueled by the economy and the search for innovative, flavorful new products. “Yes, people are right in calling this a strong category,” said Bill Singer, a principal in Singer’s Chevron Inc. in Walla Walla, Wash. “When [...]
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has added two members to its public affairs and advocacy department and is re-structuring several other positions in order to enhance its public policy and advocacy efforts following a year-long strategic planning process. Joining NCA as vice president of government affairs is Patrick Aylward who most recently served as the [...]
The confectionery retail market grew across all trade channels in 2009, but supermarkets, dollar stores and warehouse clubs outpaced the overall retail market in 2009, according to the National Confectioners Association (NCA). NCA also noted c-stores brought in $4.6 billion in dollar sales in 2009, up 3%. Seasonal confectionary sales were up 1.2% in 2009 [...]
The Benefits of Chocolate Once considered a “guilty pleasure,” researchers now say that chocolate offers health benefits—when consumed in moderation and provided the chocolate is the right kind. International experiments show that dark chocolate has an impressive array of activities, according to the Harvard Health Newsletter. It’s an antioxidant that may improve cholesterol scores and [...]