18 • May | June 2026 • abasto.com El chocolate domina en consumo personal y para compartir Special Occasions Sustain Consumption Despite caution, celebrations sustain the category. Chocolate dominates both personal consumption and sharing. Gummy can- dies accompany evenings of entertain- ment. Bakery products and frozen des- serts round out special moments. 71% planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Most would do so with their partner, and 30% with their children. Sales reflect this behavior. Packaged candies double in volume compared to an average week. Card sales triple, and flower sales increase 4.5-fold. Similarly, sporting events drive purcha- ses of potato chips, beer, and dips. Indulgence with Discipline Ultimately, spending on snacks and sweets in 2026 reflects a consumer who allows themselves small pleasures, but within clear limits. The taste remains. The excess does not. Price Limits Premium Indulgence Cost tops the list of purchase ba- rriers. Price is the main obstacle to bu- ying more sweets. Health goals and concerns about sugar follow closely behind. As a result, 48% buy fewer pre- mium sweets. Additionally, 43% are cutting back on large packa- ges, and 30% are buying fewer store brands. Online purchases are also declining. However, promotions drive sa- les. 39% say they buy more when they find discounts. Deals are the leading trigger for impulse pur- chases. In short, taste attracts, but price decides. • Continuation of page 16 Special Insert Sweets & snacks