NCA’s John Downs projects a frighteningly good Halloween season
pic: NCA
John Downs, The National Confectioners Association president and CEO, has welcomed prospects for this year’s Halloween celebrations, which are primed for a strong performance from the sector, reports Neill Barston.
The US has traditionally proved the heartland for marking the major seasonal occasion, which has prompted a considerable array of product development from manufacturers, with many other nations around the world, including the UK, becoming increasingly focused on delivering a host of tasty treats.
Figures highlighted by the NCA showed that sales of candy leading up to last year’s spooky season topped $324 million, which was up 48% on 2020’s results, which were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
pic: Shutterstock
Speaking on his hopes for Halloween, John Downs (pictured at this year’s State of the Industry conference, enthused: “Chocolate and candy are a centre in so many Halloween traditions – making the season’s arrival the most exciting time of the year for the confectionery industry. Halloween is so much more than just the night of October 31 – in the weeks leading up to that big night, families, friends and communities come together for celebrations that simply wouldn’t be the same without the iconic chocolate and candy that define the season.
I’m thrilled to share that this year, the Halloween season is even sweeter because America’s chocolate and candy companies delivered on their commitment to helping consumers manage their sugar intake by providing more transparency, choice and portion guidance options when it comes to our favourite treats. In fact, 85% of chocolate and candy sold today comes in packaging that contains 200 calories or less per pack. That number includes individually wrapped products and multipacks that contain smaller packages inside – the perfect size for the 97% of Americans who say they welcome trick-or-treaters with chocolate and candy,” explained the president and CEO, who added that the NCA’s efforts have centred on its online platform, AlwaysATreat.com/Halloween, offering key lines of guidances for consumers to help them enjoy the season responsibly.
The big difference this year, is that it will be the first for several years that will be largely free of the pandemic concerns that had majorly curtailed national celebrations, and further impacted on traditionally strong retail revenues.
John Downs added: “Chocolate and candy are synonymous with Halloween, and parents can – and should – use this moment as an opportunity to educate their children on the unique role that chocolate and candy play in a balanced lifestyle. Now more than ever, we understand the importance of supporting our emotional well-being and enjoying special moments with our loved ones, and chocolate and candy serve as a unique form of social currency that helps make these memories a bit sweeter. I hope that throughout this Halloween season, you and your family have a frightfully fun time celebrating.”
