Page 13 - Wholesale Candy

Award season is upon us. Regardless if their favorite movies or actors/actresses make the list, there’s one star of the silver screen customers can agree on – movie theater concession snacks. Whether they’re watching in a traditional theater, or streaming from the nouveau theater (aka their sofas), customers have cast their votes and say that salty and sweet poppable snacks play a leading role in the viewing experience.

Why heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate are a Valentine’s must

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Time for friendly and romantic gestures! Whether customers pre-plan or opt for the last-minute rush, their go-to gift is most likely a heart-shaped box full of chocolate. This isn’t just an educated guess — the numbers don’t lie. 52% of all Valentine’s day sales, or $1.8 billion will be spent on candy including chocolate, according to the National Retail Federation. Of that total, approximately 36 million heart shaped boxes are sold each year according to AdAge.

We all know that consumers are hunting for the perfect heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate, but why is chocolate the “it” gift of the holiday? We’ve done some digging and it seems that the “why” is a mix of ancient beliefs and brilliant marketing.

Silver and Gold might be a classic Christmas tune, but this color theme isn’t just for the holidays and New Year’s. It adds a touch of elegance to a wedding, commemorates an anniversary, and brings class to a milestone birthday, or even a baby shower.

In fact, consumers’ love of the silver and gold theme is actually a ‘thing’ called color psychology. According to colormeanings.com, silver, to many, represents wealth and innovation, while gold represents wealth and opulence. With these feelings attached to these sparkling, shimmering colors, it’s no wonder they’re selected for customers’ most important events.

Confectionery manufacturers have heard our call for everything shiny and increasingly are offering chocolates and candies that actually have a metallic hue. Put on your sunglasses and don your top hat (remember these colors are elite) as we list our beloved brightest confections.

We’ve trimmed the tree and decked the halls. Time to enjoy longtime holiday candy favorites!

90% of us plan to share or gift chocolate and candy this season (National Confectioners Association (NCA)). While new Christmas treats pop up every year, we’re feeling nostalgic for candies that have stood the test of time.

Join us as we take a trip down memory lane while introducing new twists on holiday classic favorites.

While those select type-A consumers have already started ticking gifts off their holiday to-do list, the majority of us will wait until the last minute. (We’ve got plenty of time right? Right?!) We’re not simply justifying our procrastination — it’s fact!

A 2018 survey by the National Retail Foundation found that 4 out of 10 consumers plan to start their holiday shopping November 1. Although dragging our heels gives us more time to sip gingerbread lattes and munch on homemade cookies, procrastinating can make the holiday gift hunt even more stressful. You can be the remedy for customers’ holiday stress, while encouraging repeat business.

Skulls – here in the US, they’re not just for Halloween anymore. Enter Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. As reported by USA Today, this Mexican celebration is going mainstream, with those of non-Mexican descent joining in on the fun. In fact, several US cities like San Francisco, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, and Albuquerque host Day of the Dead parades and other festivities. Major retailers like Target, Party City, and Amazon have jumped on the Day of the Dead bandwagon, adding a selection of decorations and treats. Their motivation – tap into the holiday’s growing popularity, but also the growing buying power of the Hispanic population.

According to Nielsen, Hispanics represent 18 percent of the US population, and predict their buying power to grow from $1.4 trillion in 2016 to $1.8 trillion by 2021. This potential has retailers upping their offerings around Hispanic holidays and other events. With Day of the