09/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2024 08:11
WASHINGTON - American consumers are ready to treat themselves and others as they eagerly prepare for the Halloween season. According to a recent survey from the National Confectioners Association, 94% will share chocolate and candy with friends and family, demonstrating the unparalleled consumer demand fueling remarkable retail trends like "Summerween" and "Aug-tober." In fact, NCA found that more than half of Americans start enjoying Halloween candy before October 31 - which serves as further proof of the central role that chocolate and candy play in spooky season.
Why it matters: The Halloween season is a key moment for the $48 billion confectionery industry and its retail partners. In 2023, Halloween drove $6.4 billion in confectionery retail sales and that number is expected to climb by three to five percent in 2024. Pandemic-era enthusiasm for seasonal celebrations has remained, pushing the Halloween season to begin earlier in 2024.
Quotable: John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said:
"What would the Halloween season be without chocolate and candy? It is clear that Halloween candy is a bona fide retail phenomenon in 2024, with demand from consumers starting earlier in the year and extending festivities far beyond October 31. No matter how consumers choose to mark the occasion, there's no question that chocolate and candy are a fun and unique centerpiece of Americans' Halloween celebrations."
Other insights from the NCA survey include:
What else you need to know: Treating is the name of the game during the Halloween season, and consumers understand that chocolate and candy are best enjoyed as such. People in the U.S. enjoy chocolate and candy 2-3 times per week, averaging just 40 calories and about one teaspoon of added sugar per day.
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About the National Confectioners Association (NCA):
The National Confectioners Association is the leading trade organization for the $48 billion U.S. confectionery industry. NCA advocates for an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and works to ensure that chocolate, candy, gum and mints are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy. The industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states and supports an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. The U.S. confectionery industry has made a commitment to increasing transparency, providing more portion guidance options and educating consumers about the role of confectionery in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow NCA on Facebook, X and Instagram.