Chocolate and nonchocolate unit sales decreased in 2023, according to Circana. However, dollar sales were up 7.9% and 13.4%, respectively. Gum and breath fresheners saw a 6.5% and 1.8% increase in unit sales. The chart shows c-store sales for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023.
Chocolate
The fourth quarter of 2023 saw ups and downs in terms of unit sales. Of the top 10 UPCs, four saw unit growth and six saw declines. Snickers (1.86-oz.) had the most unit growth, 7.4%, with 12.2% in dollar growth, according to Circana. The chart shows c-store sales for the 13 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023.
Nonchocolate
Nonchocolate unit sales were down last year, just below zero, and the unit sales in the segment continued to decrease this year by 3.1%, according to Circana. Novelty candy outperformed the nonchocolate subcategories in unit sales, up 32.6%, and it was the only candy type that had positive unit sales for the year. The chart below shows c-store sales for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023.
Gum/Mints
Regular gum saw a decrease of 19.9% in unit sales in 2023, but sugarless gum saw an increase of 15.6%, according to Circana. The five gum brands with the highest dollar sales in 2023 were all sugarless. The most unit sales came from Wrigley's sugarless, which was up 21.4%. The chart below shows c-store sales for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023.
