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Research and Markets announced the addition of the "Chocolate Confectionery in the United States 2008." The chocolate confectionery industry is slow growing, driven primarily by the popularity of premium chocolate. This report looks at issues facing the industry, including:
- The overall flattening sales rates and the sinking fortunes of snack-sized and sugar-free segments.
- The dynamics of chocolate retailing and the strength of non-traditional channels.
- The declining share of sales through supermarkets, and what can be done to shore up that channel.
- Potential new products and how they could attract new user groups.
- What consumers eat when they crave something sweet --and how manufacturers of chocolate can move into other industries.
- Counterintuitive chocolate products: natural, organic, and functional. Savory chocolates -- with herbal or spicy flavor notes -- are a niche market, but adults may consider them worth a try.
- Who eats candy -- beyond kids and teens -- and how chocolate gift giving varies by holiday.
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Editor's Insight: The chocolate market remains an important segment for the refreshment services industry; it represents a big share of the vending industry's candy/snack sales. It is important for vending operators to better understand the chocolate consumer in light of rising chocolate prices.
Many vending operators have reduced their chocolate offerings in recent months in response to higher prices. While pricing has become one of the vending industry's biggest challenges, it is important that vending operators continue to meet their customers' needs. Otherwise, they will lose sales to competing retail channels.
The National Automatic Merchandising Association National Expo in St. Louis, Mo. will include some good seminars on how vending operators should meet today's unusual challenges. Consultant Brad Bachtelle will give a seminar on operating in a recession. He will also give one on category management that will address meeting consumer needs effectively. 08-21-08 by Elliot Maras