Chocolate Candy: US Market Trends and Opportunities, 14th Edition

Industry Reports, United States

Report Overview

Everyday uses of chocolate such as for snacking and baking have always been important, but they are becoming more important to consumers since 2020 for a number of reasons. For instance, chocolate has been a stress-reliever for some consumers who have experienced higher anxiety levels during and since the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, consumers who increased their baking activity as they stayed at home more and kept that habit up even as they settled into a “new normal” phase, are likely to use more chocolate for this purpose. Furthermore, chocolate is seen as an everyday indulgence; it tends to be readily available and affordable when other types of “self care” might not.

Executive Summary $461.87
- Everyday and Holiday Chocolate Eating Occasions $461.20
  - Priorities When Buying Chocolate $310.50
  - Packaging Opportunities $310.50
  - Key Demographics $310.50
  - Scope $310.50

COVID-19 Effects on Consumers $2,618.90
- Highlights $310.50
- First Time Use of Online Grocery Shopping and Restaurant Ordering Methods In 2020 $310.50
  - Table | Coronavirus Food Ordering Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I have for the first time used…", 202
- Boosted Online Grocery Shopping Activity Continuing Through 2022 $408.32
  - Activity Spiked in 2020 during the Early Part of the Pandemic $310.50
    - Table | Coronavirus Food Purchase Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I am…", 2020-2021 (percent of consume
  - Many Have Continued Ordering More Groceries Online in 2021 and 2022 $310.50
  - Frequency of Grocery Shopping: In-Person vs. Online $310.50
  - Frequent Consumers of Chocolate Are More Likely to Still Be Boosting Online Grocery Shopping Activit $310.50
    - Table | Frequent Chocolate Consumption Activity by Increasing Online Grocery Ordering Activity Compared to P
  - Use of Meal Kit Delivery Services $310.50
- Snacking and Healthy Eating Habits $310.50
  - Changes in Eating Behavior during and since the Pandemic $310.50
    - Table | Coronavirus Eating Habits: "Because of the coronavirus, I am eating more…", 2021 (percent of consume
  - Increased Eating Frequency Among Frequent Consumers of Chocolate $310.50
    - Table | Frequent Chocolate Consumption Activity by Increasing Eating Activity Compared to Pre-COVID Habits,
- Concerns about COVID-19 Exposure Remain $367.79
  - Most Still Consider the Pandemic a Health Threat Personally or to Family/Friends $310.50
    - Table | Coronavirus Health Concerns: "I am concerned about the…", 2020-2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Concerns About COVID-19 Variants $310.50
  - Frequent Consumers of Chocolate Are More Likely to Express Coronavirus Concerns $310.50
    - Table | Frequent Chocolate Consumption Activity by Concerns about the Coronavirus Health Threat and Variants
- Rising Prices during and since the Pandemic $457.01
  - Many Consumers Are Concerned about Inflation and Rising Food Prices $310.50
    - Table | Consumer Concerns about Rising Food Prices, 2021-2022 (percent of consumers)
  - The Vast Majority of Consumers Have Noticed the Rising Cost of Food Over the Past Year, and Many Are $310.50
  - Cutting Back on Household Expenses $310.50
    - Table | Consumers Cutting Back on Household Expenses in the Last 12 Months, 2022 (percent of consumers)
    - Table | Types of Household Expenses Cut Back on in the Last 12 Months, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Frequent Consumers of Chocolate Show No Difference in Concerns about Rising Food Prices $310.50
    - Table | Frequent Chocolate Consumption Activity by Concerns about Rising Food Prices, 2022 (percent of consu
- Food Shortages During and Since the Pandemic $310.50
  - Concerns About Food Shortages $310.50
    - Table | Consumer Concerns about Food Shortages, 2021-2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Stockpiling of Food and Beverage Items $310.50
    - Table | Consumer Stockpiling of Food and Beverage Products, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Frequent Consumers of Chocolate Have Greater Concerns about Food Shortages $310.50
    - Table | Frequent Chocolate Consumption Activity by Concerns about Food Shortages, 2022 (percent of consumers
- Negative Personal Effects of the Pandemic $356.47
  - Negative Effects Reported in 2020 and 2021 $310.50
    - Table | Coronavirus Concerns: "The coronavirus has negatively affected my…", 2020-2021 (percent of consumers
  - Continuing Mental and Physical Health Effects $310.50
  - Stress Levels and Changes Made to Reduce Stress $310.50
  - Changes to Mental and Physical Health among Frequent Consumers of Chocolate $310.50
- Pandemic Effects on Work $310.50
  - Changes to Work Patterns Have Continued in 2021 and 2022 $310.50
  - People Who Are Set Up to Work from Home or Have Increased Work-from-Home Time during and since the P $310.50
    - Table | Frequent Chocolate Consumption Activity by Work from Home Activity, 2022 (percent of consumers vs. p
- In-Store Shopping Patterns $310.50
- Changes to Celebrating Special Occasions $310.50
  - Many Consumers Have Extended or Will Extend Holiday Celebrations Compared to Pre-Pandemic Behavior $310.50
    - Table | Extensions to Holiday Celebrations during and since the pandemic, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Consumers Are Using Chocolate More for Everyday Occasions, Less for Special Occasions $310.50
    - Table | Changes to Chocolate Use Occasions during and since the pandemic, 2022 (percent of consumers)

Overview and Market Trends $2,391.36
- Highlights $310.50
- Food Intolerance, Food Allergies, and Dietary Restrictions Are a Concern to Many Consumers $543.58
  - Prevalence in 2022 $310.50
  - Rising Rates of Reported Food Allergies and Lactose Intolerance over Time $310.50
    - Table | Food Allergies and Lactose Intolerance, 2017-2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Purchases of Foods with Allergy-Friendly Labels $310.50
  - Many Consumers Purchase Allergy-Friendly Foods for Reasons Other Than an Allergy or Intolerance $310.50
- Plant-Based and Plant-Forward Trends $310.50
  - Definitions $310.50
  - Plant-Based Eating and Sustainability Are Buzzwords Important to the General Public $310.50
  - One-Fourth of Consumers Claim to Primarily Follow a Flexitarian Diet in 2022 $310.50
- Sustainability of Chocolate Production $364.54
  - Deforestation and Human Rights Concerns $310.50
  - Chocolate Marketers Working Toward Improving the Cocoa Supply Chain $310.50
  - Sustainable Farming Techniques $310.50
  - Fair Trade Chocolate as a More Ethical Product $310.50
- Home Baking Trends $310.50
  - Baking for Indulgence, Nostalgia, or Comfort $310.50
  - Convenience Foods and Semi-Homemade Foods $310.50
  - Branding Can Increase Appeal of Baking Products $310.50
- The COVID-19 Pandemic Was the Jumpstart the Online Grocery Market Needed $310.50
  - Impact on the Market for Chocolate $310.50
- Nutrients Sought by Consumers $532.62
  - Consumers Continue to Seek Out Protein Sources $310.50
    - Table | Preferences for Functional Food and Beverage Ingredients, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Sources Used to Consume Nutrients $310.50
  - Consumers Report Increasing Consumption of Protein from Whole-Plant Sources $310.50
  - Avoiding or Limiting Sugar Intake $310.50
  - Reasons for Avoiding or Limiting Sugar Intake $310.50
  - Sugar Continues to Be Preferred Over Low/No-Calorie Sweeteners $310.50
    - Table | Preferences for Sweetener Types, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Information Consumers Seek Out on Nutrition Facts Labels $310.50
- Mindful and Intuitive Eating $314.35
  - Definition $310.50
  - Dieting Activity $310.50
  - Frequency of Feelings and Behaviors Associated with Mindful and Intuitive Eating Patterns $310.50
  - Consumer Mindfulness Index $310.50

Sales, Shipments, and Consumer Use of Chocolate $967.96
- Highlights $310.50
- Shipments of Snack Foods and Chocolate Confections $310.50
  - Table | Snack Food and Chocolate Shipments, 2017-2022, 2027P (billion dollars)
  - Table | Snack Food and Chocolate Shipments, 2017-2022, 2027P (billion 2012 dollars)
- Chocolate Retail Sales $337.73
  - Category Dollar Sales $310.50
    - Table | Chocolate Candy Retail Sales by Type, 2017-2022 (million dollars)
    - Table | Chocolate Candy Retail Sales by Type, 2022, 2023P-2027P (million dollars)
  - Luxury, Premium, and Everyday Chocolate $310.50
- Most Consumers Have Purchased Chocolate in the Last Six Months $310.50
- Boxed Chocolate Brands $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Boxed Chocolate Brands in the Last Six Months, 2012, 2017-2022 (percent of consumers)
- Brands of Other Chocolate Formats $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Brands in Other Formats in the Last Six Months, A-G, 2020-2022 (percent of co
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Brands in Other Formats in the Last Six Months, H-L, 2020-2022 (percent of co
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Brands in Other Formats in the Last Six Months, M-O, 2020-2022 (percent of co
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Brands in Other Formats in the Last Six Months, P-S, 2020-2022 (percent of co
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Brands in Other Formats in the Last Six Months, T-Y, 2020-2022 (percent of co
- Chocolate Consumption Frequency $310.50
  - Table | Frequency of Chocolate Consumption by Flavor/Type, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Purposes of Chocolate Use $310.50
  - Table | Purposes of Chocolate Consumption by Type, 2022 (percent of consumers who use each chocolate type)

Retail and Marketing Trends and Opportunities $3,859.17
- Highlights $310.50
- Food Gifting Trends $625.69
  - Food Gifts Purchased for Others $310.50
    - Table | Food Gift Types Purchased for others in the Last 12 Months, 2010-2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Food Gifts Purchased for Self $310.50
    - Table | Food Gift Types Purchased for Self in the Last 12 Months, 2020-2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Receipt of Personal vs. Work-Related Food Gifts $310.50
    - Table | Types of Food Gifts Received: Personal Gift vs. Business Gift in the Last 12 Months, 2020-2022 (perc
  - Frequent Chocolate Consumption by Purchases and Receipt of Food Gifts $310.50
    - Table | Frequent Chocolate Consumption Activity by Purchases and Receipt of Food Gifts, 2022 (percent of con
  - Personalization and Customization Is Important in the Chocolate Food Gifting Space $310.50
- Indulgence vs. Health $1,183.01
  - Clean Label and "Better-for-You" Trends $530.46
  - Unrefined Sugar $310.50
  - Sugar-Free/No Sugar Added Products and Alternative Sweeteners $310.50
  - Low-Carb/High Protein, Keto, and Paleo Diets May Influence the Choice to Consume Chocolate $310.50
  - Addition of Nuts, Fruit, Seeds, and Other Ingredients for Increased Nutrition $310.50
  - Vegan/Plant-Based Chocolate Appeals to Those Looking to Eat a Plant-Forward Diet $310.50
  - Organic Products $310.50
- Unique Flavors and Flavor Combinations $310.50
- Candy Adjacencies $310.50
- Targeting LGBT Consumers, a Growing Demographic $310.50
- Families with Children Are Important Consumers of Chocolate $310.50
- Major Holidays $718.44
  - Winter Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa) $310.50
    - Table | Planned Winter Holiday Gift Spending, Total and Per Person, 2015-2022
  - Valentine's Day $310.50
    - Table | Planned Valentine's Day Spending, Total and Per Person, 2015-2023
  - Mother's Day $310.50
    - Table | Planned Mother's Day Spending, Total and Per Person, 2015-2022
  - Easter $310.50
    - Table | Planned Easter Spending, Total and Per Person, 2015-2023
  - Halloween $310.50
    - Table | Planned Halloween Spending, Total and Per Person, 2015-2022
- Weddings & Anniversaries $310.50
  - The Percentage of Consumers Who Are Married Has Fallen, But More People Are Now Living With Domestic $310.50
    - Table | Marriage Statistics, 2012-2022
  - Same-Sex Marriages $310.50
- Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) and Online Marketing $310.50
  - New Companies and Products with Niche Appeal May Choose Online/DTC Channels $310.50
  - Private Labels $310.50
  - Subscription Boxes $310.50
- In-Store Purchasing Trends $310.50
  - Retail Stores Rely More On Impulse Purchases of Chocolate $310.50
  - Holiday Promotions Are Key $310.50
  - Private Label Chocolates Are a Driver of Store Traffic and Retailer Loyalty $310.50
- Brand Positioning of Top Chocolate Marketers $890.94
  - Lindt & Sprüngli Group $422.81
  - Godiva $310.50
  - Hershey $310.50
  - Mars Wrigley $310.50
  - Ferrero $310.50

Consumer Demographics $1,453.23
- Highlights $310.50
- Chocolate Purchases Highest Among Generation X $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Age Bracket, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Age Bracket, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Women Are More Likely than Men to Purchase Chocolate $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Gender, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Gender, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Chocolate Purchases Vary Somewhat Across Different Household Income Brackets, But Are High Among All $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Household Income Bracket, 2022 (percent of
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Household Income Bracket, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Married/Partnered Consumers and Presence of Children in the Household $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Marriage Status and Children under 18, 2022
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Partnership Status and Children under 18, 2022 (percent o
- LGBT Consumers Are More Likely to Buy Chocolate $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by LGBT Membership, 2022 (percent of consumers
- Those Living in the Midwest Region Are Most Likely to Buy Chocolate $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by US Region, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by US Region, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Rural, Suburban, and Urban Consumers Differ Somewhat in Chocolate Consumption $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Population Density of Residence Area, 2022
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Rural, Suburban, and Urban Environment, 2022 (percent of
- Chocolate Purchases Are High Among All Racial/Ethnic Groups $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Race/Ethnicity, 2022 (percent of consumers)
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Race/Ethnicity, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Differences in Chocolate Purchases Based on Educational Attainment $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Educational Attainment, 2022 (percent of co
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Educational Attainment, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Frequent Consumers of Chocolate Are More Likely to Follow Non- Omnivore Diets/Eating Philosophies $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Primary Diet/Eating Philosophy, 2022 (perce
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Primary Diet/Eating Philosophy, 2022 (percent of consumer
- Use of Online Grocery Shopping Websites $310.50
  - Table | Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months by Use of Online Grocery Delivery Services, 20
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Use of Online Grocery Websites in the Last 30 Days, 2022
- Frequent Home Bakers Are More Likely to Use Chocolate at Least Once Per Week $310.50
  - Table | Frequent Consumption of Chocolate Types by Frequency of Home Baking Activity, 2022 (percent of consu

Consumer Psychographics $755.50
- Highlights $310.50
- Attitudes about Carbs, Proteins, and Whole/Unprocessed Foods $310.50
  - Table | Statements about Carbohydrates/Sweeteners, Proteins, and Whole/Unprocessed Foods by Frequent consump
- Food Restrictions, Nutritional Benefits, and Breakfast $310.50
  - Table | Statements about Nutritional Benefits, Food Restrictions, and Breakfast by Frequent consumption of C
- Snacking Behavior $310.50
  - Table | Statements about Snacking by Frequent consumption of Chocolate Types, 2022 (percent of consumers who
- Preferences for Healthy vs. Indulgent Foods $310.50
  - Table | Healthy vs. Indulgent Food Preferences by Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months, 202
- Premium Foods $310.50
  - Table | Premium Food Preferences by Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months, 2022 (percent of
- Consumer Buying Styles $310.50
  - Table | Buying Styles by Purchases of Chocolate Formats in the Last Six Months, 2022 (percent of consumers w
- Priorities When Buying Chocolate $310.50
  - Table | Priorities Placed When Buying Chocolate and Chocolate Candies, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Willingness to Pay More for Different Chocolate Features $310.50
  - Table | Agreement on Statements about Willingness to Pay More for Chocolate, 2022 (percent of consumers)
- Most Consumers Think Dark Chocolate Is Healthy and that Chocolate Can Be Consumed As Part of a Healt $310.50
  - Table | Agreement on Statements about Willingness to Pay More for Chocolate, 2022 (percent of consumers)

Packaging Trends $603.74
- Highlights $310.50
- The Balance Between Effective and Low-Cost Packaging $310.50
- Recyclable/Environmentally Friendly Packaging Is More Important Than Ever $310.50
- Opportunities for Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging $310.50
- Truth in Advertising Extends to Packaging $310.50
- Functional Packaging Can Be Framed as Sustainability $310.50
- Creative Packaging Provides Gift Recipients with a Memorable Experience $310.50
- Protective Packaging Is Important For Product Integrity $310.50
- Retail-Ready Packaging Makes Chocolate Promotions Stand Out and Promotes Stocking Efficiency in Stor $310.50

Special occasions and holidays that are often tied to food gifting and involve consuming traditional types of candy and baked treats – such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Halloween, anniversaries, and winter holidays, particularly Christmas and Hanukkah – are also strategically important to chocolate sales. These are prime occasions for chocolate gifting and traditions that utilize candy, especially chocolate, which in turn can cause people to increase the amount or frequency with which they consume candy.

The US chocolate candy market is projected to expand at an average rate of 4.5% annually, reaching $38.3 billion in 2027. High levels of inflation and product premiumization that increases average prices drove dollar sales growth from 2017 through 2022.

Scope of the Report

This Packaged Facts report analyzes the dynamics of the current landscape of the chocolate candy market. Consumer demographics, perceptions, motivations, and behavior are examined as pertaining to dietary choices and purchases/consumption of chocolate. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumers are also analyzed (in a broad sense), including in the context of chocolate.

Sales of chocolate candies in the scope of this report are segmented by type:

box/bag/bar
gift box
holiday/seasonal
novelty
snack size
sugar free

Baking chips and baking chocolate are included in the box/bag/bar segment, holiday/seasonal segment, and sugar free segment depending upon which category is most relevant.

Historical numbers for the retail chocolate market are provided from 2017 through 2022. Market forecasts are provided from 2023 through 2027. The holiday/seasonal category is segmented by occasion for 2022 (Christmas/winter holidays, Easter/spring, Halloween/fall, Valentine’s Day, and other seasonal).

The reasons for and implications of shifts in consumer perception and behavior are analyzed in the context of future market opportunities.

Additionally, the report has dozens of tables showcasing numerical survey data on consumer demographics and psychographics and numerous marketing photographs. This report goes in-depth on COVID-19 trends affecting the food and beverage market.

Primary research includes national online consumer polls of U.S. adult consumers (age 18+) conducted on an ongoing basis by Packaged Facts to analyze attitudes of consumers and their relevant food and beverage preferences.

Survey data from MRI-Simmons are used to analyze the demographics and psychographics of consumers.

Supplementing Packaged Facts’ exclusive survey is analysis of the 2022 Food & Health Survey conducted by the International Food Information Council, which analyzes consumer food purchase decisions, diet and lifestyle choices, snacking activity, and perception of health benefits in foods.

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Chocolate Candy: US Market Trends and Opportunities, 14th Edition

Report Overview

Table of Contents

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Chocolate Candy: US Market Trends and Opportunities, 14th Edition

Report Overview

Table of Contents

Purchase Report

Select your license:

Subscription Options

License by subscription

Free Sample Report

Questions & Assistance

Share This Report

Download a Free Sample Report Now

Use Licenses

Related Reports and Studies

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