28 • May | June 2026 • abasto.com BY HERNANDO RAMÍREZ-SANTOS I magine this: A customer walks into your store. They have a list, check the prices, and decide to skip the expensive organic products to save a few dollars. But when they reach the checkout line, they see a bag of freeze-dried gummy bears or a clas- sic bar of Mexican chocolate. The hand reaches out. The product lands on the conveyor belt. In a year defined by “careful spending,” the candy aisle has become the ultimate economic anomaly. According to the Na- tional Confectioners Association (NCA), nearly 100% of households made a candy purchase in 2025. For the modern retailer, this isn’t just about selling sugar; it’s about Sweeten Your Business Why Confectionery Is the Best Strategy for Boosting Your Margins capturing that “affordable luxury” Ameri- cans refuse to give up. The numbers are staggering. The State of Treating 2026 report reveals that U.S. confectionery sales reached a record $55 billion last year. Despite inflation and market jitters, chocolate, gum, and candy aren’t just surviving, they’re thriving. With projections to reach $62.2 billion by 2030, the message for retailers is clear: if you aren’t optimizing your candy selec- tion for the “intentional” shopper of 2026, you’re leaving money on the table. The Generational Shift: Milk Chocolate vs. the “TikTok Effect” The report highlights a massive shift in who buys what. While Boomers remain loyal to milk and dark chocolate classics (which still dominate over 50% of the mar- ket), younger demographics are moving the needle in another direction. • Continues on page 30 How Hispanic retailers can capitalize on generational trends and seasonal spikes to claim their share of a $62 billion future. Special Insert Sweets & snacks