USA: Candy and Gum Sales are strong

Candy and gum sales posted strong sales for the four week period ending June 14, 2009 and continue the positive trend for the first half of 2009. Dollar sales for the four week period grew 4.5% in Food, Drug and Mass outlets other than Wal-Mart. Fifty-two week sales figures indicate the category has grown at an overall rate of 3.3% led by drug stores with a 4.7% sales increase. Supermarkets have grown at a 3.2% rate and mass merchandisers have increased sales at a 1.0% rate. The driver of the sales increases have been price increases across the category as unit sales continue to lag the dollar sales increases. Categories that have grown in both units and dollars over the past 52 weeks include Non-chocolate chewy candy and Mints. Leading the growth in dollar sales increases are chocolate candy bars, licorice, novelty candy, sugar free gum and of course, seasonal Easter candy.