Category Management | Chocolate
Chocolate Outlook
Seems Sweet Chocolate sales are on the upswing at convenience stores headed into summer, and retailers are optimistic for the months ahead as pandemic restrictions lift. Erin Del Conte • Executive Editor
As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, customers are looking to treat themselves with something sweet, and the chocolate category at convenience stores is reaping the rewards. Chocolate sales at c-stores increased 8.5% to $2.76 billion for the 52 weeks ending May 1, 2021, vs. one year ago, according to NielsenIQ Retail Measurement Services, Total U.S. Convenience data. That’s up 4.15% from the end of 2020, when chocolate sales totaled $2.65 billion for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 26, 2020, per Nielsen Total U.S. Convenience data. An uptick in traffic seems to be driving the trend. The c-store channel saw a 4.4% increase in chocolate buys during the 52-week period ending May 1, 2021, and the average amount of units purchased per trip grew 2.6%, while the average spend per buyer dipped by 1.3%, according to NielsenIQ Homescan Panel, Total U.S. Convenience + Gas. 46
CSTORE DECISIONS •
July 2021
cstoredecisions.com
