---
title: "Prices, Packs and Chocolate Power Candy’s Growth Engine"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/6af46d99-3ddd-47bf-af62-4a66cdbbc100
source: "CStore Decisions"
original_url: https://cstoredecisions.com/prices-packs-and-chocolate-power-candys-growth-engine/
author: "Emily Boes"
category: "Snacks & dessert"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Snacks & dessert"
published: 2026-05-22T21:09:57.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T13:17:01.821Z
image: https://cstoredecisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/candy_chart_publication_ready-scaled.png
---

# Prices, Packs and Chocolate Power Candy’s Growth Engine

**TL;DR:** Candy growth is being driven by rising prices, tried-and-true favorites, and trending products, with chocolate candy sales up 8.8% nationwide at c-stores. Pak-A-Sak and Break Time convenience stores have seen strong sales in chocolate candy, particularly in larger package sizes.

*By Emily Boes, originally published in CStore Decisions on 2026-05-22. [Read the original](https://cstoredecisions.com/prices-packs-and-chocolate-power-candys-growth-engine/).*

## Story

An important category for innovation and impulse purchases, candy growth is being driven by rising prices, tried-and-true favorites and trending products, with excitement brewing for the “changemakers.”

Pak-A-Sak, a 24-store chain in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains, witnessed share-size packages leading the way in chocolate candy. The segment overall is seeing strong sales, and although that’s due in part to higher retails, units haven’t been affected. Non-chocolate candy, while not seeing growth as strongly as chocolate, is still trending positively, as well.

“We saw a huge push on the Dubai chocolate that seemed to be the ‘fad,’ and we always try to capitalize on the latest trends — freeze dried last year,” said Russell Barber, category manager for Pak-A-Sak.

Still, he continued, customers will try the new trends and then ultimately revert to the core items with which they’re familiar.

Regardless, he advises other retailers to jump on innovation as soon as it’s available.

“It will surprise you how fast kids talk when there is something ‘new’ at Pak-A-Sak,” Barber noted.

To capitalize on impulse candy purchases, Pak-A-Sak puts out small tables in the center aisle. The chain also has a drive-up window in most locations where best-sellers in candy are kept nearby in view of the customer, employees encouraged to upsell.

MFA Oil Co., operator of Break Time convenience stores, of which there are 75 in Missouri, has seen more growth in the bagged candy section, particularly as prices increase.

“(The) consumer gets twice as much product for about 40–60 cents more,” said Brayde Rothe, category manager for Break Time.

The growth in sales of large package sizes for chocolate candy tracks nationally. Chocolate candy boxes, bags and bars greater than 3.5 ounces have jumped 18.3% in dollars at c-stores for the 52 weeks ending Feb. 22, the only segment in chocolate to increase in dollar share of category, according to market research firm Circana.

As for newness, Rothe noted the formats he’s been most excited about are the changemakers.

“We’re seeing a resurgence in nostalgia amongst customers that is also price friendly to them,” he said. “One thing I’d like to keep an eye on is the emergence of Swedish candy. It’s a soft, chewy type of candy that is thicker than your usual gummy bear.”

He also believes innovations from companies such as Mars and Hershey, like the marshmallow-flavored Reese’s cup, will drive customers to the chocolate category.

Overall, chocolate candy sales are up 8.8% nationwide at c-stores for the year ending Feb. 22, accounting for $3.83 billion in candy sales, per Circana. Price per unit upped 10.3% during that period. Non-chocolate candy accounts for a slightly smaller $3.32 billion in candy sales nationally.

## Entities

- Retail (sector)
- CStore Decisions (publication)
- Hershey (company)
- Reese's (company)
- convenience stores (topic)
- Emily Boes (person)
- Mars (company)
- Circana (company)
- price increases (topic)
- candy sales (topic)
- chocolate candy (topic)
- impulse purchases (topic)

---
Originally reported by Emily Boes, CStore Decisions (https://cstoredecisions.com/prices-packs-and-chocolate-power-candys-growth-engine/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/6af46d99-3ddd-47bf-af62-4a66cdbbc100).