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Chocolate Candy: US Market Trends and Opportunities, 15th Edition

Publisher Packaged Facts
Published Mar 31, 2025
Length 340 Pages
SKU # LA19886829

Description

This report examines the $33.7 billion US chocolate candy market, which is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 1.8% through 2029.

Consumer demographics, perceptions, motivations, and behavior are examined as pertaining to dietary choices and consumption of chocolate.

Sales of chocolate candies in the scope of this report are segmented by type from 2019 through 2024 and forecast from 2025 through 2029:
  • box/bag/bar
  • gift box
  • holiday/seasonal
  • novelty
  • snack size
  • sugar free
This report also provides chocolate and snack food shipments in real and inflation-adjusted dollars from 2019 through 2024, 2025, and 2029.

Retail sales are estimated as a total market size including sales from a vast array of retailers such as:
  • grocery stores and supermarkets (e.g., Kroger and Albertsons)
  • mass merchandisers (e.g., Walmart, Target, and Meijer)
  • warehouse clubs (e.g., Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s)
  • discount grocers (e.g., ALDI and Save-a-Lot)
  • dollar stores and drug stores (e.g., Dollar General and CVS)
  • convenience stores and travel centers (e.g., 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Pilot/Flying J)
  • specialty and natural foods stores (e.g., Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts Farmers Market)
  • chocolate shops and gift shops (e.g., Godiva Chocolatier, Edible Arrangements, Hallmark Shop)
  • farmers’ markets, co-ops, and local businesses
  • online retailers, including online sales via third-party apps and the retail websites of brick-and-mortar grocers (e.g., Amazon, Instacart, 1800flowers.com, Kroger.com, Walmart.com, Harryanddavid.com)
Additionally, this report examines the potential for chocolate alternatives. The reasons for and implications of shifts in consumer perception and behavior are analyzed in the context of future market opportunities.

Major competitors in the chocolate market and development of ingredients and new products are examined. Retail and packaging trends – both in general and in the chocolate market – are also analyzed.

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 historical trends that have affected the food and beverage market.

Table of Contents

340 Pages
    • Chocolate Prices Surging
    • Opportunities for Growth and Product Innovations
    • Everyday and Holiday Chocolate Eating Occasions
    • Priorities When Buying Chocolate
    • Scope
    • Highlights
    • Rising Prices: From Supply Chain Crunches to Inflation
    • Snacking and Healthy Eating Habits
    • Online Grocery Shopping and Convenience Food Options
    • Work Habits
    • Personal Feelings of Wellbeing
    • Highlights
    • Sustainability and Environmental Trends of Chocolate Production
    • Food Allergies, Intolerances/Sensitivities, and Other Dietary Restrictions
    • Plant-Based and Plant-Forward Trends
    • Following Specific Eating Patterns/Diets
    • Mindful and Intuitive Eating
    • Home Baking Trends
    • Snacking Trends
    • Nutrients Sought by Consumers
    • Highlights
    • Scope
    • Shipments of Snack Foods and Chocolate Confections
    • Chocolate Retail Sales
    • Most Consumers Have Purchased Chocolate in the Last Six Months
    • Boxed Chocolate Brands
    • Brands of Other Chocolate Formats
    • Chocolate Consumption Frequency
    • Purposes of Chocolate Use
    • Highlights
    • Food Gifting Trends
    • Indulgence vs. Health
    • Unique Flavors and Flavor Combinations
    • Candy Adjacencies
    • Targeting LGBT Consumers, a Growing Demographic
    • Families with Children Are Important Consumers of Chocolate
    • Major Holidays
    • Weddings & Anniversaries
    • Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) and Online Marketing
    • In-Store Purchasing Trends
    • Brand Positioning of Top Chocolate Marketers
    • Highlights
    • Chocolate Purchases Highest Among Younger and Middle Age Consumers
    • Women Are More Likely than Men to Purchase Chocolate
    • Chocolate Purchases Vary Somewhat Across Different Household Income Brackets, But Are High Among All Groups
    • Married/Partnered Consumers and Presence of Children in the Household
    • LGBT Consumers Are Somewhat More Likely to Buy Chocolate
    • Those Living in the Midwest Region Are Most Likely to Buy Chocolate
    • Rural, Suburban, and Urban Consumers Differ Somewhat in Chocolate Consumption
    • Chocolate Purchases Are High Among All Racial/Ethnic Groups
    • Differences in Chocolate Purchases Based on Educational Attainment
    • Frequent Consumers of Chocolate Are More Likely to Follow Non- Omnivore Diets/Eating Philosophies
    • Use of Online Grocery Shopping Websites
    • Highlights
    • Priorities When Choosing Where to Shop for Groceries
    • Priorities Placed on Food Characteristics
    • Priorities Placed on Chocolate
    • Willingness to Pay More for Premium Food Characteristics
    • Willingness to Pay More for Different Chocolate Features
    • Most Consumers Think Dark Chocolate Is Healthy and that Chocolate Can Be Consumed As Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
    • Concerns about Chocolate Prices
    • Organic Food Purchases
    • Food Processing and Clean Ingredients and Labels
    • Snacking Behavior
    • Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning Habits
    • Cooking Skills
    • Consumer Attitudes on Food and Health
    • Highlights
    • The Balance Between Effective and Low-Cost Packaging
    • Recyclable/Environmentally Friendly Packaging Is More Important Than Ever
    • Opportunities for Biodegradable and Compostable Packaging
    • Truth in Advertising Extends to Packaging
    • Functional Packaging Can Be Framed as Sustainability
    • Creative Packaging Provides Gift Recipients with a Memorable Experience
    • Protective Packaging Is Important For Product Integrity
    • Retail-Ready Packaging Makes Chocolate Promotions Stand Out and Promotes Stocking Efficiency in Stores
    • Sustainability Trends: Consumer Insights

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