National Candy Month 2026: Sweet Statistics Driving Consumer Engagement

June marks National Candy Month, a celebration of one ofAmerica's most beloved categories and the powerful role confectionery plays ineveryday moments, seasonal traditions, and retail success. As consumer demandfor treats remains strong, candy continues to create opportunities for brandsand retailers across grocery, convenience, special markets, unattended retail,value, and emerging channels.

At BBI, we help confectionery and food brands grow throughstrategic sales execution, retail partnerships, consumer insights, and nationalcoverage across multiple channels of trade.

Sweet Summer Traditions

A new National Confectioners Association (NCA) surveyreveals that chocolate and candy remain woven into America's favorite summeractivities.

·        83% bring candy and chocolate on road trips.

·        83% enjoy candy at the movies.

·        78% admit to sneaking candy into movie theaters.

·        80% include candy in Fourth of Julycelebrations.

·        79% pack treats for family vacations.

·        73% enjoy confectionery products at picnics andbarbecues.

Flavor Trends Making Summer Sweeter

According to the NCA survey, watermelon ranks as the topsummer candy flavor, followed by strawberry and tropical varieties.

Classic summer traditions remain just as important. Whenbuilding the perfect s'more:

·        69% prefer a golden-brown marshmallow.

·        56% choose milk chocolate as their chocolate of choice.

A Balanced Approach to Treating

Americans typically enjoy chocolate and candy two to threetimes per week, averaging about 40 calories and one teaspoon of added sugar perday from confectionery products.

The BBI Perspective

For confectionery manufacturers, snack brands, and foodcompanies, National Candy Month is a reminder that candy remains one ofretail's most resilient and emotionally connected categories.

As a leading national food broker and confectionery salesagency, BBI partners with brands to identify growth opportunities, securestrategic retail placement, optimize promotional programs, and build long-termsales success across the marketplace. Our deep industry relationships andchannel expertise help brands turn consumer insights into measurable results.

From beach days and movie nights to holiday celebrations androad trips, candy continues to create moments of joy and opportunities forbrands ready to meet shoppers where they are.

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^{Sources: NationalConfectioners Association. *Americans Celebrate America's 250th Birthday – andNational Candy Month – With Chocolate and Candy.* June 1, 2026.<https://candyusa.com/news/americans-celebrate-americas-250th-birthday-and-national-candy-month-with-chocolate-and-candy/>[\[candyusa.com\]](https://candyusa.com/news/americans-celebrate-americas-250th-birthday-and-national-candy-month-with-chocolate-and-candy/)}

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