Chocolate Confectionery - US - February 2015
“Chocolate confectionery is a treat. Nearly three quarters of consumers turn to these products as a treat, meaning the category will need to promise and meet this most basic expectation.”
– Beth Bloom, Food and Drink Analyst
This report answers the following questions:
Are consumers noticing price increases?
What’s the role of health in chocolate confectionery?
What kind of innovation resonates with consumers?
- SCOPE AND THEMES
- What you need to know
- Definition
- Data sources
- Sales data
- Consumer survey data
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- The market
- Category sales are estimated to reach $21.3 billion in 2014
- Figure 1: Total US retail sales and forecast of chocolate confectionery, at current prices, 2009-19
- Segment performance
- Box/bag/bars greater than 3.5 oz. continue to lead the category, growth
- Figure 2: Total US retail sales of chocolate confectionery, by segment, at current prices, 2009-14
- Leading companies
- Lindt overtakes Nestlé in MULO sales of chocolate in 2014
- Figure 3: Total US retail sales of chocolate confectionery, by segment, at current prices, 2012 and 2014
- ($ millions)
- The consumer
- Some 85% of consumers buy chocolate, but only 75% eat it
- Figure 4: Any chocolate confectionery purchase (%), by age, November 2014
- Treat positioning is key
- Figure 5: Reasons for eating (%), by age, November 2014
- What we think
- ISSUES AND INSIGHTS
- Are consumers noticing price increases?
- Issue
- Insight: Enhancing perception of quality and engaging in price promotions can preserve engagement
- What’s the role of health in chocolate confectionery?
- Issue
- Insight: The category should promote inherent health offerings and expand permissible options
- What kind of innovation resonates with consumers?
- Issue
- Insight: Innovation should carry some form of familiarity
- TREND APPLICATION
- Trend: Mood to Order
- Trend: Never Say Die
- Trend: Let’s Make a Deal
- MARKET SIZE AND FORECAST
- Key points
- Sales and forecast of chocolate confectionery
- Figure 6: Total US retail sales and forecast of chocolate confectionery, at current prices, 2009-19
- Figure 7: Total US retail sales and forecast of chocolate confectionery, at inflation-adjusted prices,
- 2009-19
- Category growth will continue, but slow slightly
- Figure 8: Total US retail sales and forecast of chocolate confectionery, at current prices, 2009-19
- Forecast methodology
- MARKET DRIVERS
- US consumer taste for confectionery grows
- Figure 9: Chocolate and other candy, July 2009-September 2014
- A taste for chocolate also appears to be on the rise
- More chocolate launches means more competition for confectionery category
- Category can combat the competition by doing what it does best
- Blurring the lines may lessen any negative view chocolate has as a candy
- Co-branding can be a means of keeping skin in the game
- SEGMENT PERFORMANCE
- Key points
- Box/bag/bars greater than 3.5 oz continue to lead the category, growth
- Figure 10: Total US retail sales of chocolate confectionery, by segment, at current prices, 2012 and
- 2014
- Box/bag/bars >3.5 oz grew 31% from 2009-14
- US retail sales of box/bag/bar >3.5 oz
- Figure 11: Total US retail sales and forecast of box/bag/bar >3.5 oz, at current prices, 2009-19
- Figure 12: Total US retail sales and forecast of Box/bag/bar >3.5 oz, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2009-
- 19
- Seasonal sales grew 23% from 2009-14
- US retail sales of seasonal chocolate
- Figure 13: Total US retail sales and forecast of seasonal chocolate, at current prices, 2009-19
- Figure 14: Total US retail sales and forecast of seasonal chocolate, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2009-
- 19
- Box/bag/bars<3.5 oz grew 31% from 2009-14
- US retail sales of box/bag/bar <3.5 oz
- Figure 15: Total US retail sales and forecast of box/bag/bar <3.5 oz, at current prices, 2009-19
- Figure 16: Total US retail sales and forecast of box/bag/bar <3.5 oz, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2009-
- 19
- Snack size chocolate continues downward slide
- US retail sales of snack size chocolate
- Figure 17: Total US retail sales and forecast of snack-size chocolate, at current prices, 2009-19
- Figure 18: Total US retail sales and forecast of snack size chocolate, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2009-
- 19
- Gift box sales fell 4% in 2014
- US retail sales of gift box chocolate
- Figure 19: Total US retail sales and forecast of gift box chocolate, at current prices, 2009-19
- Figure 20: Total US retail sales and forecast of gift box chocolate, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2009-19
- Sugar free sales decline by 19% from 2009-14
- US retail sales of sugar-free chocolate
- Figure 21: Total US retail sales and forecast of sugar-free chocolate, at current prices, 2009-19
- Figure 22: Total US retail sales and forecast of sugar-free chocolate, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2009-
- 19
- RETAIL CHANNELS
- Key points
- Other retail channels represent largest share of category sales
- Mass appeals for convenience, affordability
- Purchase habits limit growth potential of supermarkets, drug stores
- Total US sales of chocolate confectionery
- Figure 23: Total US retail sales of chocolate confectionery, by channel, at current prices, 2012 and
- 2014
- Supermarket sales grew 24% from 2009-14
- Supermarket sales of chocolate confectionery
- Figure 24: US supermarket sales of chocolate confectionery, at current prices, 2009-14
- Drug store sales grew 17% from 2009-14
- Drug store sales of chocolate confectionery
- Figure 25: US drug store sales of chocolate confectionery, at current prices, 2009-14
- Other MULO channel sales grew 26% from 2009-14
- Other MULO channel sales of chocolate confectionery
- Figure 26: US sales of chocolate confectionery through other MULO channels*, at current prices, 2009-
- 14
- Other retail channel sales grew 23% from 2009-14
- Convenience
- Other retail channel sales of chocolate confectionery
- Figure 27: US sales of chocolate confectionery through other retail channels*, at current prices, 2009-
- 14
- Natural channel sales grow 40% from 2012-14
- Natural channel sales of chocolate confectionery
- Figure 28: Natural supermarket sales of chocolate confectionery, at current prices, rolling 52 weeks
- 2012-14
- Fair Trade certification growing at natural channels
- Natural channel sales of Fair Trade chocolate confectionery
- Figure 29: Supermarket sales of chocolate confectionery, by fair-trade status, at current prices, rolling
- 52 weeks 2012 and 2014
- COMPETITIVE CONTEXT
- Health concerns call indulgence items into question
- Figure 30: Chocolate statements (health), by age, November 2014
- Promote chocolate’s strengths
- Provide healthy options
- Rising commodities costs result in product price increases
- LEADING COMPANIES
- Key points
- Lindt overtakes Nestlé in MULO sales of chocolate in 2014
- Figure 31: MULO sales of chocolate, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks 2013 and 2014
- Hershey is a classic; Ghirardelli leads for quality
- Figure 32: Opinions toward chocolate companies, correspondence Analysis, February 2015
- Figure 33: Opinions toward chocolate companies, February 2015
- Hershey represents 50% of bars/bags/boxes >3.5 oz
- MULO sales of bars/bags/boxes >3.5 oz
- Figure 34: MULO sales of chocolate bars/bags/boxes >3.5 oz, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks
- 2013 and 2014
- Easter drives sales for seasonal leaders
- MULO sales of seasonal chocolate
- Figure 35: MULO sales of seasonal chocolate, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks 2013 and 2014
- Snack size leader Hershey’s gains, but all others struggle
- MULO sales of snack size
- Figure 36: MULO sales of snack size chocolate, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks 2013 and
- 2014
- Ferrero gains on Russell Stover in gift box segment
- MULO sales of gift box
- Figure 37: MULO sales of gift box chocolate, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks 2013 and 2014
- York sees strong growth in sugar-free
- MULO sales of sugar-free chocolate
- Figure 38: MULO sales of sugar-free chocolate, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks 2013 and 2014
- Leaders maintain their position in <3.5 oz bar and novelty segment
- MULO sales of <3.5 oz bar and novelty chocolate
- Figure 39: MULO sales of <3.5oz bar and novelty chocolate, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks
- 2013 and 2014
- INNOVATIONS AND INNOVATORS
- New product launches continue to drop, packaging innovation is up
- Figure 40: Chocolate confectionery launches, by launch type, 2010-15
- Seasonal launches see strong growth
- Figure 41: Chocolate confectionery launches, by subcategory, 2010-14
- Leading claims continue to grow
- Figure 42: Chocolate confectionery launches, by top 10 claims, 2010-14
- Gift boxes should better align with consumer interest
- Figure 43: Chocolate confectionery launches, by top 10 claims of boxed launches, 2010-14
- Plain launches down, nuts and nut flavors up
- Figure 44: Chocolate confectionery launches, by top 10 flavors, 2010-14
- Fruit and other mix-ins boost health profile, make category less candy-like
- Premiumization also seen in flavor innovation
- Functionality also adds value
- Dessert-inspired flavors may boost dessert usage
- Seasonal positioning offers opportunity for flavor innovation
- Figure 45: Chocolate confectionery launches, by top 10 flavors among seasonal launches, 2010-14
- Pouches see strong growth
- Figure 46: Chocolate confectionery launches, by packaging, 2010-15*
- Nostalgia is evident in product launches
- SOCIAL MEDIA
- Market overview
- Key social media metrics
- Figure 47: Key social media metrics, January 2015
- Brand usage and awareness
- Figure 48: Brand usage and awareness for select chocolate confectionery brands, Nov. 2014
- Interactions with chocolate confectionery brands
- Figure 49: Interactions with select chocolate confectionery brands, November 2014
- Leading online campaigns
- Sports promotions
- Legacy
- Seasonal/special occasions
- What we think
- Online conversations
- Figure 50: Online conversations for select chocolate confectionery brands, by week, Jan. 26, 2014-Jan.
- 25, 2015
- Where are people talking about chocolate confectioneries?
- Figure 51: Online conversations for select chocolate confectionery brands, by page type, Jan. 26,
- 2014-Jan. 25, 2015
- What are people talking about?
- Figure 52: Topics of conversation for select chocolate confectionery brands, Jan. 26, 2014-Jan. 25,
- 2015
- CHOCOLATE PURCHASE AND CONSUMPTION
- Key points
- Some 85% of consumers buy chocolate, but only 75% eat it
- Figure 53: Any chocolate confectionery purchase, by age, November 2014
- Half of consumers eat chocolate at least once a week
- Figure 54: Chocolate statements (consumption frequency), by age, November 2014
- Category needs stronger appeal to older consumers
- Figure 55: Chocolate confectionery purchase (for self), by age, November 2014
- Young men are big box buyers
- Figure 56: Any chocolate confectionery purchase, by gender and age, November 2014
- Lower earners less likely to buy chocolate, but are still in the market
- Figure 57: Any chocolate confectionery purchase, by household income, November 2014
- Figure 58: Chocolate statements (consumption frequency), by household income, November 2014
- Favorite brands might attract attention with boxes
- Figure 59: Chocolate confectionery purchase (for self), by chocolate brands (purchased consumed in
- the past year), November 2014
- ATTRIBUTES OF INTEREST
- Key points
- Interest in mix-ins can help the category weather price increases
- A focus on health may be the key to appealing to older consumers
- Figure 60: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by age, November 2014
- Premium offerings appeal to highest earners
- Figure 61: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by household income, November 2014
- Sugar-free may benefit from expanded formats
- Figure 62: Chocolate confectionery purchase (for self), by chocolate candy buyer (by attributes),
- November 2014
- REASONS FOR EATING
- Key points
- Snacking leads consumption occasion
- Figure 63: Consumption occasion, by age, November 2014
- Premium chocolate may benefit from dessert/sharing positioning
- Figure 64: Consumption occasion, by chocolate candy buyer (by attributes), November 2014
- Energy chocolate may be positioned for on-the-go
- Figure 65: Consumption occasion, by reasons for eating, November 2014
- Treat positioning leads reasons for eating
- Figure 66: Reasons for eating, by gender, November 2014
- Mood enhancement important among young shoppers
- Figure 67: Reasons for eating, by age, November 2014
- Older women looking for a way to treat themselves
- Figure 68: Reasons for eating, by gender and age, November 2014
- Bars rule for on-the-go
- Figure 69: Chocolate confectionery purchase (for self), by consumption occasion, November 2014
- Seasonal chocolate has reward appeal
- Figure 70: Chocolate confectionery purchase (for self), by reasons for eating, November 2014
- Dark and premium find appeal among hosts
- Figure 71: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by consumption occasion, November 2014
- Consumers seeking an energy boost go for the solid, pure stuff
- Figure 72: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by reasons for eating, November 2014
- PURCHASE LOCATION
- Key points
- Mass leads chocolate purchase location
- Supermarkets hold on to older shoppers
- Figure 73: Purchase location, by age, November 2014
- Supermarket chocolate may be perceived as high in price
- Figure 74: Purchase location, by household income, November 2014
- Figure 75: Purchase location, by frequent chocolate eaters, November 2014
- Online could stand to grow seasonal share
- Figure 76: Purchase location, by chocolate candy buyer (by type), November 2014
- Supermarkets/natural outlets have premium appeal
- Figure 77: Purchase location, by chocolate candy buyer (by attributes), November 2014
- Club stores can position chocolate for entertaining
- Figure 78: Purchase location, by consumption occasion, November 2014
- Natural stores may do well to promote healthfulness of chocolate
- Figure 79: Chocolate statements (health), by purchase location (1 of 3), November 2014
- Figure 80: Chocolate statements (health), by purchase location (2 of 3), November 2014
- Figure 81: Chocolate statements (health), by purchase location (3 of 3), November 2014
- Fair Trade certification important among natural store shoppers
- Figure 82: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by purchase location (1 of 3), November 2014
- Figure 83: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by purchase location (2 of 3), November 2014
- Figure 84: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by purchase location (3 of 3), November 2014
- STATEMENTS RELATED TO CHOCOLATE
- Key points
- Purchase habits
- Holidays boost chocolate purchase
- Young shoppers look for discounts, more open to new products
- Figure 85: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by age, November 2014
- Premium offerings around holidays may attract high earners
- Figure 86: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by household income, November 2014
- Boxes may get a bump from holidays, premium positioning
- Figure 87: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by chocolate candy buyer (by type), November
- 2014
- Store brand buyers interested in variety, cost savings
- Figure 88: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by chocolate candy buyer (by attributes),
- November 2014
- Frequent eaters not looking for new products
- Figure 89: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by frequent chocolate eaters, November 2014
- Attributes of interest
- Interest in Fair Trade is still small, but patterns may suggest growth
- Figure 90: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by age, November 2014
- Higher earners look for more cocoa
- Figure 91: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by household income, November 2014
- Figure 92: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by chocolate candy buyer (by attributes),
- November 2014
- Boxes should go dark
- Figure 93: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by chocolate candy buyer (by type), November
- 2014
- IMPACT OF PRICE INCREASES
- Key points
- Price increases are being noticed
- Young shoppers trading down to less expensive brands
- Figure 94: Impact of price increases, by age, November 2014
- Lower earners buying less, middle earners looking for savings
- Figure 95: Impact of price increases, by household income, November 2014
- Frequent eaters are less likely to be impacted, but are looking for sales
- Figure 96: Impact of price increases, by frequent chocolate eaters, November 2014
- IMPACT OF RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN
- Key points
- Hispanics may be buying bars for kids
- Figure 97: Any chocolate confectionery purchase, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Figure 98: Chocolate confectionery purchase (for self), by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Blacks reducing consumption due to health
- Figure 99: Chocolate statements, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Figure 100: Chocolate statements, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Asians interested in premium, Hispanics in health
- Figure 101: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Figure 102: Chocolate statements, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Mass is an important outlet for Hispanic chocolate shoppers
- Figure 103: Purchase location, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Reward positioning resonates with Hispanics
- Figure 104: Reasons for eating, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- One in 10 Hispanics have traded up to higher-priced chocolate
- Figure 105: Impact of price increases, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- CUSTOM CONSUMER GROUP – BUYING FOR KIDS
- Key points
- More than half of respondents buy chocolate for their kids
- Figure 106: Chocolate purchase, by presence of children in household, November 2014
- Mass outlets, club stores, and candy stores popular among those who buy for kids
- Figure 107: Purchase location, by chocolate candy buyer for kids, November 2014
- Holidays and variety appeal to those who buy for kids
- Figure 108: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by chocolate candy buyer for kids, November
- 2014
- Mix-ins may appeal for health
- Figure 109: Chocolate statements (health), by chocolate candy buyer for kids, November 2014
- Hershey appears as high quality and innovative to those who buy for kids
- Figure 110: Opinions toward chocolate companies (Hershey), by chocolate candy buyer for kids,
- November 2014
- Kids are slightly more likely than teens to eat candy
- Figure 111: Chocolate and other candy, April 2009-June 2014
- Figure 112: Chocolate and other candy, April 2009-June 2014
- Teens eat more
- Figure 113: Bars and other candy, by age, April 2013-June 2014
- Figure 114: Chocolate and other candy, by age, April 2013-June 2014
- Kids access to candy on the decline
- Figure 115: Food and drink in school, April 2009-June 2014
- Figure 116: Allowance/money, April 2009-June 2014
- APPENDIX – OTHER USEFUL TABLES
- Chocolate purchase and consumption
- Figure 117: Chocolate confectionery purchase (for self), by gender and age, November 2014
- Figure 118: Chocolate statements (consumption frequency), by gender and age, November 2014
- Chocolate attributes
- Figure 119: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by gender and age, November 2014
- Figure 120: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by Hispanic origin and household income, November 2014
- Figure 121: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by presence of children and age in household, November
- 2014
- Figure 122: Chocolate purchase (attributes), by chocolate candy buyer (by type), November 2014
- Reasons for eating
- Figure 123: Consumption occasion, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Figure 124: Chocolate statements (consumption frequency), by reasons for eating, November 2014
- Purchase location
- Figure 125: Purchase location, by gender and age, November 2014
- Figure 126: Purchase location, by household size, November 2014
- Figure 127: Purchase location, by reasons for eating, November 2014
- Chocolate statements
- Figure 128: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by gender and age, November 2014
- Figure 129: Chocolate statements (health), by gender and age, November 2014
- Figure 130: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by gender and age, November 2014
- Figure 131: Chocolate statements, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2014
- Figure 132: Chocolate statements, by Hispanic origin and household income, November 2014
- Figure 133: Chocolate statements (attributes of interest), by consumption occasion, November 2014
- Figure 134: Chocolate statements (health), by reasons for eating, November 2014
- Figure 135: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by purchase location (1 of 3), November 2014
- Figure 136: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by purchase location (2 of 3), November 2014
- Figure 137: Chocolate statements (purchase habits), by purchase location (3 of 3), November 2014
- APPENDIX – SOCIAL MEDIA
- Brand usage or awareness
- Figure 138: Brand usage or awareness, November 2014
- Figure 139: Butterfinger usage or awareness, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 140: Dove (chocolate) usage or awareness, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 141: Reese’s usage or awareness, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 142: Lindt usage or awareness, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 143: Ghirardelli usage or awareness, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 144: Russell Stover usage or awareness, by demographics, November 2014
- Activities done
- Figure 145: Activities done, November 2014
- Figure 146: Butterfinger – Activities done – I have looked up/talked about this brand online on social
- media, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 147: Butterfinger – Activities done – I have contacted/interacted with the brand online on social
- media to, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 148: Butterfinger – Activities done – I follow/like the brand on social media because, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 149: Butterfinger – Activities done – I have researched the brand on social media to, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 150: Dove (chocolate) – Activities done – I have looked up/talked about this brand online on
- social media, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 151: Dove (chocolate) – Activities done – I have contacted/interacted with the brand online on
- social media to, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 152: Dove (chocolate) – Activities done – I follow/like the brand on social media because, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 153: Dove (chocolate) – Activities done – I have researched the brand on social media to, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 154: Reese’s – Activities done – I have looked up/talked about this brand online on social
- media, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 155: Reese’s – Activities done – I have contacted/interacted with the brand online on social
- media to, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 156: Reese’s – Activities done – I follow/like the brand on social media because, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 157: Reese’s – Activities done – I have researched the brand on social media to, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 158: Lindt – Activities done – I have looked up/talked about this brand online on social media, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 159: Lindt – Activities done – I have contacted/interacted with the brand online on social media
- to, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 160: Lindt – Activities done – I follow/like the brand on social media because, by demographics,
- November 2014
- Figure 161: Ghirardelli – Activities done – I have looked up/talked about this brand online on social
- media, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 162: Ghirardelli – Activities done – I have contacted/interacted with the brand online on social
- media to, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 163: Ghirardelli – Activities done – I follow/like the brand on social media because, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 164: Ghirardelli – Activities done – I have researched the brand on social media to, by
- demographics, November 2014
- Figure 165: Russell Stover – Activities done – I have looked up/talked about this brand online on social
- media, by demographics, November 2014
- Figure 166: Russell Stover – Activities done – I have contacted/interacted with the brand online on
- social media to, by demographics, November 2014
- Key social media metrics
- Figure 167: Key social media metrics, Jan. 2015
- Online conversations
- Figure 168: Online conversations for select chocolate confectionery brands, by week, Jan. 26, 2014-
- Jan. 25, 2015
- APPENDIX – TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
- Food Marketing Institute (FMI)
- Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)
- Specialty Food Association
- National Confectioners Association (NCA)
- National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)
- US METHODOLOGY
- CONSUMER RESEARCH
- Primary Data Analysis
- Secondary Data Analysis
- Qualitative Research
- Further Analysis
- Social Media Research
- TRADE RESEARCH
- STATISTICAL FORECASTING