Nearly every American household still reaches for chocolate, candy, gum or mints at some point in the year — but how, where and why they buy is shifting in ways independent grocers can lean into. That was the core message from Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, who presented the National Confectioners Association’s seventh annual […]
Category: Snacks Brands
Snack news for grocery retailers: new items, brand news, sales trends and merchandising for salty snacks, candy and more.
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Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, New Products, News
Mars Snacking Maps Category Playbook For Grocers At Sweets & Snacks
Halloween is no longer a six-week season, the meal is increasingly being replaced by the snack, and roughly two-thirds of in-store confectionery purchases still ride on impulse. Those were among the headline messages Mike Gilroy, VP of industry engagement at Mars Snacking, shared with The Shelby Report at this week’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Snacks Brands, West
NCSA Recognizes Candy Execs At Sweets & Snacks Expo
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) presented Anton Vincent, president of Mars Snacking North America and Global Ice Cream at Mars Inc., with the 2026 Kettle Award May 19 during the awards’ 80th anniversary celebration during the Sweets & Snacks Expo. The NCSA also recognized Elaine Wu, co-founder of Amos Sweets and SVP of Amos […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, News, Snacks Brands, West
Billie-Ann Plastics Wins Ruby Award For Sustainable Packaging Innovation
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Billie-Ann Plastics Packaging Corp. as the winner of the 2026 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation for its RPET Clear Cylinder with Optional Snap In/Snap On Top and Printing. The award was presented during the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony May 18 in Las Vegas. Created in 2018, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
From Mashups To Mochi: Most Innovative Sweets, Snacks Revealed
The Sweets & Snacks Expo announced the winners of the 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards on May 18, recognizing the most innovative candy and snack products shaping the future of the industry. With nearly 500 products entered this year – the largest field in program history – the awards spotlight breakthrough innovation, emerging trends […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National, News
New Products Debuting At Sweets & Snacks Expo
From May 19-21, the Sweets & Snacks Expo returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together thousands of candy and snack manufacturers, distributors and retail buyers from across the country. For independent grocers looking to capture impulse sales and differentiate their front-end offerings, more than 3,000 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest innovations in […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
Sweets & Snacks Expo Expects Record Attendance In Las Vegas
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo is shaping up to be a landmark event as the candy and snack industry gathers for the first time in Las Vegas, with attendance trending toward an all-time high, according to show organizer National Confectioners Association (NCA). The expo runs May 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More […]
Expert Article
Why Retailers Should Lean Into Sweet Baked Goods Right Now – Don’t Pull Back
JTM Foods CEO Monty Pooley sees green shoots in Q1 2026 and a category that rewards merchandising intensity — not retreat — in noisy conditions. The first quarter of 2026 brought what Monty Pooley calls “green shoots” to the sweet baked goods category – early indicators that, after a difficult 2025, conditions are improving for […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Appoints Abbott VP Of Membership, Business Development
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has appointed Carrie Abbott as VP of membership and business development. Abbott will lead the organization’s efforts to grow member company engagement, strengthen industry partnerships and expand business opportunities across the confectionery industry. Abbott brings extensive industry experience as the founder and CEO of Newfangled Confections, where she built a […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News
PepsiCo Foods Launches Good Warrior Snack Brand
PepsiCo Foods is introducing a new addition to the protein snack arena with Good Warrior, a new masterbrand built for people who demand more from their protein. The debut product, Good Warrior Beef Sticks, launches in March 2026 at select U.S. retailers. The beef sticks are made with grass-fed and finished beef and deliver 10 […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Northeast, ShopRite
Di Bruno Bros. Brings New Italian Snacks To ShopRite Shelves
Di Bruno Bros. is expanding its Italian-inspired collection with new products designed for spring and summer entertaining, the company announced April 20. The new items are rolling out now in ShopRite stores and other leading supermarket retailers nationwide. Founded in 1939 by Italian immigrant brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno, the company has grown from […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Food Lion, National, News
Food Lion Feeds Honors Kellanova With Grand Lion For Good Vendor Award
Food Lion Feeds, the hunger-relief platform of Food Lion, has launched its 2026 Feedys Awards, recognizing partners who help provide access to food and support families across the retailer’s 10-state operating area. The awards will be presented from April through June as a series of surprise celebrations. Food Lion Feeds presented the Grand Lion for […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News, Snacks Brands
Nestlé Toll House Adds Soccer-Themed Morsels, Cookie Dough To Shapes Line
Nestlé Toll House is expanding its “shapes” product platform with the nationwide launch of milk chocolate soccer ball morsels and chocolate chip cookie dough with soccer ball morsels. The limited-edition items are arriving at retail locations this month. The soccer ball morsels are sold in 9-ounce bags for an MSRP of $5.79, while the 14-ounce […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Chicago Selected As Home Of NCSA’s Candy Hall Of Fame Experience
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has selected Chicago as the permanent home of the Candy Hall of Fame Experience, a 60,000-square-foot, multi-level facility set to open in summer 2027 at 830 N. Michigan Ave. on the city’s Magnificent Mile. Chicago was chosen over Orlando and New York City following a national evaluation. The city’s […]
Posted inCenter Store, Beverage News, Featured News, National, News, Snacks Brands
Circana Names 2025 U.S. CPG Growth Leaders
Circana has released its 14th annual U.S. CPG Growth Leaders report, identifying the top-performing consumer-packaged goods companies across five revenue tiers. The 2025 analysis found that private label and smaller manufacturers generating under $1 billion in annual sales are gaining market share, while retail food and beverage sales grew 3 percent and non-food sales slowed […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
The Wonderful Co. Climbs To No. 72 On Best Companies To Work For List
The Wonderful Co. has been named to Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the third consecutive year. The company ranked No. 72 in 2026, up 13 spots from its No. 85 position last year. Wonderful remains the only agriculture enterprise among this year’s 100 honorees. “This recognition means more to us than […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, News
PepsiCo Begins Tostitos Brand Refresh, Introduces Updated Packaging
PepsiCo Foods U.S. is rolling out a comprehensive brand refresh for Tostitos, moving the tortilla chip and dip line beyond its traditional snacking identity with updated packaging, a revised logo and marketing that emphasizes ingredient quality and the traditional masa-making process behind the product. The refreshed packaging is hitting shelves now and will continue rolling […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, Snacks Brands
NCA Announces Senior Leadership Promotions
National Confectioners Association (NCA) President and CEO John Downs has announced a series of senior leadership promotions across the organization. Brian McKeon has been promoted to EVP of public policy and regulatory affairs, while Christopher Gindlesperger has been named EVP of public affairs and communications. Both will take on expanded roles in advancing NCA’s agenda […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National
Easter Candy Budget Buys 40% Less Than in 2020, Analysis Finds
Americans filling Easter baskets this year are getting far less candy for their money than they were six years ago, according to new research from InvestorsObserver. A review of five popular Easter candies sold at a major national retailer shows prices have risen 67 percent since 2020, while average household Easter candy budgets have grown […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Finance News, Midwest, News, Northeast
CK Snacks Acquires Keystone Food Products
CK Snacks (Cheeze Kurls LLC) has acquired Keystone Food Products, expanding the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based private label snack platform to three manufacturing facilities across complementary geographies. Founded in 1946, Keystone is a snack food manufacturer and co-packer based in Easton, Pennsylvania. It specializes in masa and cooked corn tortilla chips, baked and fried extruded snacks, […]