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Winter is coming, and so are customers’ cravings for a customary hot beverage. Their top choice might not be what you think. Market research firm Datassential, found that 81% of consumers love hot chocolate, while only 16.4% of US menus offer this chocolatey elixir. Give customers what they’re thirsty for while creating a fun seasonal environment — host a self-serve hot chocolate bar.

It’s August. The sun’s blazing, we’re still rockin’ the flip flops and shorts, but wondering when our favorite fall flavor, pumpkin spice, is returning. We can’t help it — the allure of seasonal or limited time flavors, like pumpkin spice is strong! So much so that leading pumpkin spice purveyors, Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts launched their iconic fall-flavored beverages in mid-August last year (August 24 and August 19 respectively to be exact)! This love of seasonal flavors and shapes goes for the confectionery space too. Candy sales for all holidays totaled $18.1 billion (that’s a combination of seasonal and everyday) and accounted for 62.6% sales (National Confectioners Association). Looks like limited time is a good lure.

Appeal to their love of seasonal with these must-have fall and winter flavors while learning ways to create that limited time feeling year-round.

The votes are in — chocolate has been crowned America’s leading confection. While we don’t see its fan following fizzling out anytime soon, the best way for chocolate to maintain its position in confectionery royalty, and you to keep racking up the chocolate sales, is by keeping it fresh (in more ways than one). The best way to keep it fresh — incorporating the latest trending flavors and ingredients.

It’s fall — the temps are dropping, we’re pulling on sweaters and wrapping scarves — bring on the pumpkin! Pumpkin spice continues to reign as the king of fall flavors, spurring large chains like Starbucks™ and Dunkin® to push the release of their coveted pumpkin-flavored beverages back to August — way before the start of fall (which is September 23rd, by the way). Packaged food manufacturers continue to jump on the flavor bandwagon, releasing new special edition fall products every year. The reason for this cult following of fall flavored anything? Scarcity aka Limited Time Offer (LTO) marketing. Scarcity marketing has proven to give sales a boost. Anyone who has ever witnessed a certain large chain store offer “designer” goods in limited quantities can attest to the long lines created during these events.

Scarcity marketing creates the perception that items out for a limited time are more precious and more valuable than an item available all year. Along with building buzz for

Move over indulgences. A big trend for 2022 — low sugar. 45% of Americans named reducing their sugar intake as a top goal for 2022 (Food Business News). Even with the want for less sugar, consumers don’t want to give up the rich, decadent flavors they love. 70% even went as far to say taste trumps the amount of sugar per serving (Candy Industry). Help sweeten the deal and see sales skyrocket. Offer low sugar sweets and snacks bursting with phenomenal flavor.

Here are some of our favorite low sugar brands sure to satisfy their extravagant cravings.

When you want to gift a little luxury, but your budget is tight, chocolate and candy gift boxes are always great solution.

They serve up a 5-star gourmet food experience — minus major price tag. And who doesn’t love having that “kid in a candy store” feeling?

It’s not surprising that, this year, when everyone’s feeling the budget crunch, sales of chocolate gift boxes got an 8.3% boost, totaling $342.9 million (Candy Industry).

Grandma’s samplers aren’t the ONLY option for chocolate and candy gifting. Today’s candy and chocolate gifts sets have moved beyond tradition AND aren’t reserved for holidays either.

Inspired to gift gift boxes? We’ve wrapped up the best gourmet chocolate and candy gift box ideas for any occasion and tied them in a little bow just for you! Think of it as our little gift to you.

Everyday Celebrations