Diet Candy Is Dandy to the American Consumer While Other Candy Sales are Flat or Declining, Diet Candy Enjoys Rapid Growth

New York, June 30 — Fueled by better-tasting products, improved formulations, and heightened concern over weight gain in adults and children, sales of diet candy more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2004, according to Market Trends: Diet Candy, a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.

Diet candy sales reached $495 million in 2004. And while that dwarfs in comparison to sales of regular chocolate and non-chocolate candies, the diet candy market’s growth has far outpaced that of its full-calorie counterparts. Between 2000 and 2004, diet candy had a 34% compound annual growth rate. By comparison, chocolate had a CAGR of 3.9%, while non-chocolate candy actually suffered from a negative 2.5% CAGR.

Leading the charge in this market are low-sugar offerings. Though the first sugar-free confectionery was introduced in the late 1970s, according to ProductScan Online, launches of reduced-sugar products have nearly tripled since 1999. The versatility of many artificial sweeteners allows for manifold combinations to achieve just the right flavor, texture, and appearance. This synergy among ingredients provides a vast array of choices for the American sweet tooth.

“Though the low-carb craze revved up and perhaps overheated the market, diet candy will outlast any single nutritional or weight loss approach, given the versatility of low-sugar, low-carb, low-fat, and low-calorie product formulations,” said Don Montuori, Acquisitions Editor of Packaged Facts. “Marketers can also leverage a new generation of artificial sweeteners and more sophisticated sweetener blends, along with the positive consumer recognition of branded sweeteners, such as Splenda.”

Market Trends: Diet Candy offers industry executives a comprehensive analysis of the U.S. retail marketplace for diet candy; demographic profiles based on Simmons data; and a thorough analysis of key consumer trends that are affecting purchasing habits. The report also describes the creative landscape, profiles key players, and reviews advertising and promotional efforts.

Priced at $1,995, this report can be purchased directly from Packaged Facts by clicking http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1077451.html. It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Packaged Facts
Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes research reports on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, foods and beverages, and demographics. For more information visit www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Irina Frukhtbeyn at 301-468-3650 x203, or ifrukhtbeyn@marketresearch.com