Chocolate Candy Market in the U.S.: Trends and Opportunities in Premium, Gourmet and Mass Market Products

The U.S. chocolate market is a mature, differentiated and exacting market. Gaining notoriety is a difficult endeavor for producers of products, as marketing chocolate products is competitive. Packaged Facts’ new report, The Chocolate Candy Market in the U.S.: Trends and Opportunities in Premium, Gourmet and Mass Market Products examines the current state of the industry and how the market will evolve over the next five years.
Chocolate marketers today are drawing inspiration from other segments of the food and beverage industry in an effort to boost sales. Newer chocolate products feature super fruits, functional ingredients, savory touches and ethnic flavors. Additionally, chocolate product trends that worked in the past such as single-source cocoa and high cocoa content, for example are seemingly ineffective techniques for driving sales in the present economic climate.
Written by veteran chocolate market analyst Curtis Vreeland, The Chocolate Candy Market in the U.S. looks at the myriad of factors affecting chocolate retailing and consumption. The report examines:
- What impact has the recession had on this $17.3 billion industry?
- How has product development changed to reflect evolving consumer taste buds and budgets?
- What constitutes “premium” and “gourmet” products in the chocolate market today?
- Have consumers changed their buying habits in the face of economic uncertainty?
The Chocolate Candy Market in the U.S. measures the size and overall growth factors of the U.S. chocolate market, based upon the latest IRI, SPINS and UNFI sales volume data. The report discusses in detail how major chocolate manufacturers are structuring their new product development and marketing initiatives to stay competitive. The report also describes specific trends and opportunities that support continued market growth, drawing on the latest Product Launch Analytics data on new product claims. Other topics discussed include retail trends and consumer buying behavior. Detailed consumer profiles of key demographics, including breakouts by gender, race/ethnicity, and household composition, are provided. This information is based on proprietary online consumer surveys and Experian Simmons data.
This report will help:
- Marketing Managers identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans for chocolate.
- Research and development professionals stay on top of competitor initiatives and explore demand for products in the chocolate arena.
- Advertising agencies working with clients in the food industry better understand the product buyer. This in turn, will help advertisers develop messages and images that compel consumers to purchase these products.
- Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market and identify possible partnerships.
- Information and research center librarians provide market researchers, brand and product managers and, other key stakeholders with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.
- Chapter 1 Executive Summary
- Methodology & Scope
- Chocolate Market Size & Growth
- Figure 1-1 Retail Chocolate Sales, 2003-2009
- Figure 1-2 Chocolate Sales Forecast, 2010-2014 ($ millions)
- Chocolate Manufacturers and Marketers
- Figure 1-3 Top 5 U.S. Chocolate Companies by Market Share, 2004 vs. 2009 (percent)
- New Product Development
- Figure 1-4 New Chocolate Introductions, 2005-2009 (SKUs)
- Figure 1-5 Chocolate Segment Evolution
- Consumer Trends
- Figure 1-6 Chocolate Brand Preference Trends, 2008-2010 (Percent)
- Chapter 2 Market Size and Growth
- Introduction
- Methodology and Scope
- Confectionery Industry
- Global Confectionery Industry
- U.S. Confectionery Industry
- U.S. Chocolate Industry
- Historic Trends
- Table 2-1 Confectionery Sales and Category Market Share, 2009 ($ billions and percent)
- Figure 2-1 Confectionery Sales Market Share by Category, 2004 & 2009 (Percent)
- Figure 2-2 Food Categories Ranked by Sales, 2009 ($ billions)
- Figure 2-3 Food Categories Ranked by Sales Growth, 2009
- Figure 2-4 Retail Chocolate Sales, 2003-2009
- Table 2-2 Retail Chocolate Sales by Volume & Value, 2002-2009 (Millions pounds & dollars)
- Figure 2-5 Retail Chocolate Sales Growth by Value & Volume, 2002-2009 (Percentage)
- Export and Import Trends
- Table 2-3 Top 15 Chocolate Export Destinations by Country, 2008-2009 ($ Millions & percent)
- Figure 2-6 Top 10 Chocolate Export Destination Market Share by Country, 2009
- Table 2-4 Top 15 Chocolate Import Originations by Country, 2008-2009 ($ Millions & percent)
- Figure 2-7 Top 10 Chocolate Import Origination Market Share by Country, 2009
- Chocolate Category Trends
- Figure 2-8 Chocolate Market Share by Category and Value, 2009 (percent)
- Figure 2-9 Chocolate Market Share by Category & Volume, 2009 (percent)
- Figure 2-10 Chocolate Market Share Change by Category & Value, 2004 vs. 2009 (Percent)
- Figure 2-11 Chocolate Market Share by Product Category, 2009 (Percent)
- Table 2-5 Chocolate Sales Growth by Dollar and Volume, 2009 ($ million & percent)
- Table 2-6 Chocolate by Dollar and Product Category, 2005-2009 ($ millions)
- Figure 2-12 Chocolate Sales Growth by Dollar and Product Category, 2005-2009 (Percent)
- Per Capita Consumption
- Distribution Channel Issues
- Table 2-7 Chocolate Per capita Consumption by Country, 2008 (Pounds)
- Figure 2-13 Chocolate Per Capita Consumption in U.S., 2002-2009 (Pounds and Dollars)
- Projected Market Growth
- Figure 2-14 Chocolate Sales Forecast, 2010-2014 ($ millions)
- Chocolate Category Analysis
- Everyday Chocolate
- Gift Box Chocolate
- Novelty Chocolate
- Seasonal Chocolate
- Table 2-8 Seasonal Chocolate Sold Through FDM Channels by Holiday, 2009 ($ millions and percent)
- Figure 2-15 Seasonal Chocolate Sold Through FDM Channels by Holiday, 2004-2009 (percent)
- Sugarfree/Sugarless Chocolate
- Figure 2-16 Sugar-free Chocolate Sold Through FDM Channels by Sales and Growth Rate, 2004-2009 ($ million & percent)
- Private Label Chocolate
- Table 2-9 Private Label Chocolate Sold Through FDM Channels by Sales & Growth Rate, 2004-2009 ($ million & percent)
- Table 2-10 Private Label Chocolate Sold Through FDM Channels by Category, 2004-2009 ($ million)
- Table 2-11 Private Label Chocolate Sold Through FDM Channels by Growth & Category, 2004-2009 (Percent)
- Figure 2-17 Private Label Chocolate Sold Through FDM Channels by Growth & Category, 2004-2009 (Percent)
- Chapter 3 The Marketers
- Introduction
- Methodology & Scope
- Leading Global Chocolate Companies
- Figure 3-1 Top 10 Global Confectioners That Manufacturer Chocolate by Market Share, 2010 (percent)
- Table 3-1 Top Global Confectioners That Manufacturer Chocolate, 2010
- Leading U.S. Chocolate Companies
- Sales by Brand
- Table 3-2 Top 5 Chocolate Companies by Sales and Percent Growth, 2004-2009 ($ millions & percent)
- Figure 3-2 Top 5 U.S. Chocolate Companies by Market Share, 2004 vs. 2009 (percent)
- Figure 3-3 Top 20 Chocolate Companies Ranked by Sales Growth Through FDM Channels, 2008-2009 (percent)
- Table 3-3 Top 10 Chocolate Candy Brands Box/Bag/Bars <3.5-oz, 2009 ($ million & percent)
- Table 3-4 Top 10 Chocolate Candy Brands Box/Bag/Bars >3.5-oz, 2009 ($ million & percent)
- Table 3-5 Top 10 Chocolate Candy Brands Snack/Fun Size, 2009 ($ million & percent)
- Table 3-6 Top 10 Chocolate Candy Brands Gift Box, 2009 ($ million & percent)
- Table 3-7 Top 8 Chocolate Candy Brands Sugarfree/Sugarless, 2009 ($ million & percent)
- Chapter 4 Marketing & New Product Trends
- Introduction
- Methodology & Scope
- New Product Development
- Product Introductions
- New Product Claims
- Table 4-1 New Confectionery Product Introductions, 2005-2009 (SKUs)
- Figure 4-1 New Confectionery Product Introduction Market Shares, 2005-2009 (SKUs)
- Table 4-2 Top 20 New Chocolate Product Claims, 2009 (# Reports & percent)
- Figure 4-2 New Chocolate Introductions, 2005-2009 (SKUs)
- Table 4-3 Top 10 New Chocolate Product Claims, 2005-2009 (# Reports)
- Table 4-4 Select New Chocolate Product Claims, 2005-2009 (# Reports and percent)
- New Product Flavors
- Table 4-5 Top 20 New Chocolate Product Flavors, 2009 (# Reports)
- Market Segment Analysis
- Premium Segment
- Table 4-6 Premium Chocolate Segments by Price ($/ounce & $/pound)
- Figure 4-3 Premium & Conventional Chocolate Sales Growth Through FDM Channels, 2006-2009 (percent)
- Figure 4-4 Top 10 Premium Chocolate Marketers sold Through FDM Channels, 2009 (percent)
- Ethical Consumerism Segment
- Overview
- Table 4-7 Top 10 Ethical Chocolate Companies Sold Through Natural Channels, 2008-2009 (Dollars & percent)
- Figure 4-5 Ethical Chocolate Company Market Share Sold in Natural Channels, 2009 vs. 2010 (Percent)
- Fair Trade
- Table 4-8 Organic and Fair Trade Chocolate Sales Sold Through Natural Channels, 2008-2009 (Dollars & percent)
- Figure 4-6 Ethical Chocolate New Product Launches, 2001-2010 (# Reports)
- Figure 4-7 Certified Organic & Fair Trade and Fair Trade Only Bean Imports, 2003-2009 (Metric Tons)
- Table 4-9 Certified Fair Trade & Organic and Fair Trade Only Cocoa Bean Imports, 2002-2009 (Metric tons & percent)
- Organic
- Sustainability
- Healthy/Functional Segment
- Table 4-10 Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa Value, 2005-2009 ($ millions)
- Figure 4-8 Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa, 2005-2012 (Thousand Metric Tons)
- All-Natural Segment
- Figure 4-9 Chocolate Segment Evolution
- Trend Analysis
- Craft Chocolate Making
- Table 4-11 All-Natural Chocolate Sold by Channel, 2008-2009 ($ Millions & percent)
- Figure 4-10 Natural Chocolate New Product Launches, 2001-2010 (# Reports)
- Savory Inspired Chocolate
- Figure 4-11 Savory Chocolate New Product Launches, 2001-2010 (# Reports)
- Exotic Flavors
- Raw Cacao Products
- Vegan Chocolate
- Wine Themed Chocolate
- Figure 4-12 Vegan Chocolate New Product Launches, 2001-2010 (# Reports)
- Figure 4-13 Wine Themed New Product Launches, 2001-2010 (# Reports)
- Upscale Chocolate Candy Bars
- Exotic Delivery
- Beyond Bars
- Extreme Milk Chocolate
- Alternative Distribution Channels
- Waning Trends
- Extreme Dark Chocolate Bars
- Single Origin Bars
- Figure 4-14 Dark, Milk and White Chocolate New Product Launches, 2005-2009 (# Reports)
- Figure 4-15 Single Origin New Product Launches 2001-2010 (# Reports)
- Chapter 5 The Consumer
- Introduction
- Methodology & Scope
- Brand Preferences
- Figure 5-1 Chocolate Brand Preference Trends, 2008-2010 (Percent)
- Table 5-1 Chocolate Brand Preference Trends, 2008-2010 (Index & Percent)
- Table 5-2 Purchasing Index for Adult Chocolate Buyers by Marketer, 2010 (Index)
- Brand Reputation
- Table 5-3 Consumer Satisfaction Index for Top Food Manufacturers, 2005-2009 (Index & Percent)
- Consumer Demographics & Psychographics
- Table 5-4 Purchasing Index for Conventional and Premium Chocolate Adult Buyers, 2010 (Index)
- Table 5-5 Food Attitudes & Opinions Index for Conventional and Premium Adult Chocolate Buyers, 2010 (Index)
- Table 5-6 Relative Importance of Grocery Store Shopping Attributes (Percent)
- Literature Review of Consumer Surveys
- Consumer Shopping Behavior
- Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next
- Marketing to Millennials
- Table 5-7 What Makes Your Generation Unique?
- Table 5-8 Use of Technology by Generation
- Figure 5-2 Environmentally Conscious Behavior by Generation
- Appendix: Addresses
- Acronyms
- Terms & Definitions