CST Publications Archive - NCA

January / February 2025

National Confectioners Association — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:40:04 +0000

In This Issue: We explore consumers’ thoughts on the use of AI in developing food products and how nostalgic candy is going strong thanks to a push on social media. Blommer Chocolate’s Rose Potts discusses what it takes to make a powerful presentation in this issue’s WLG Viewpoint and we meet the Future Leadership Program’s Class of 2025. GLP-1’s impact on shopper behavior is covered along with the drop in influencer engagement on social media.

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November / December 2024

National Confectioners Association — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:28:37 +0000

In This Issue: We take a look at the rise of hot cocoa as a flavor profile for the holiday season. Fruit snacks are gaining momentum and top suppliers discuss the growth of the sector. The 2024 Kettle Award recipient, John Brooks, Jr., talks about his commitment to leadership and contributing to the overall strength of the confectionery industry and our WLG Viewpoint looks at lifting up the next generation through authentic leadership. There’s also plenty of confectionery and snack product innovation and a profile on Bubblegum Kids, Inc.

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September / October 2024

National Confectioners Association — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 12:41:39 +0000

In This Issue: We explore how jelly beans have come into their own, with innovative flavors and unsuspecting partnerships, and look at how candy makers are taking sour products to the extreme. The WLG Viewpoint talks about harnessing the power of networking, while new research from NCA provides a 360 degree look at chocolate consumption, including the evolving tastes and economic realities.

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July / August 2024

Paul Kissin — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:20:45 +0000

In This Issue: We get insights from two AI experts on how the technology is impacting both retail and manufacturing. Circana’s Sally Lyons Wyatt explores the continuing evolution of consumer snacking behavior, while NielsenIQ’s Steve Zurek explores how brands that focus on attributes and benefits are gaining success. In this month’s WLG Viewpoint, Stephanie Stuckey talks about the potential that can be unlocked when you reinvent yourself, and we highlight the products that were honored in the 2024 Most Innovative New Products Awards at the recent Sweets & Snacks Expo.

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May / June 2024

National Confectioners Association — Sat, 18 May 2024 20:14:27 +0000

In This Issue: Our annual Sweets & Snacks Expo edition features a plethora of innovation as we unveil confectionery and snack items that will be on display to audiences at the show. In addition, we look at Latin America’s complicated snacking landscape and explored how licorice is staying top-of-mind with consumers. Plus four insights into consumer shopping and how companies can use marketing to engage with gamers.

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Sweets & Snacks Expo Show Daily – Thursday 5/16

National Confectioners Association — Thu, 16 May 2024 14:24:42 +0000

Review the industry’s three most dynamic days with our Sweets & Snacks Expo Show Daily coverage, produced live during the event.

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Sweets & Snacks Expo Show Daily – Wednesday 5/15

National Confectioners Association — Wed, 15 May 2024 15:42:07 +0000

Review the industry’s three most dynamic days with our Sweets & Snacks Expo Show Daily coverage, produced live during the event.

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Sweets & Snacks Expo Show Daily – Tuesday 5/14

National Confectioners Association — Tue, 14 May 2024 19:31:56 +0000

Review the industry’s three most dynamic days with our Sweets & Snacks Expo Show Daily coverage, produced live during the event.

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March / April 2024

National Confectioners Association — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:01:32 +0000

In This Issue: 2024 Confectionery Leadership Awards recipients Katie Alexander, Dollar Tree, Inc., and Susan Grassey, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, LLC, share insights on how they are driving consumer engagement and staying on top of trends in a special section devoted to the awards. We take a look at the evolution of the marshmallow sector as more consumers turn to it as a confection. McLane Co.’s Michelle Patterson talks about the personal and professional relationships involved in mentoring and we explore the international trademark hurdles required to protect brands and build consumer loyalty.

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January / February 2024

National Confectioners Association — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 18:36:40 +0000

In This Issue: We look at some of the trends that will be impacting the market in 2024 and introduce members of NCA’s 2024 Future Leadership Program. S. Abraham & Sons Inc.’s Alyssa Snyr uses her own experiences to explain why coming out of your shell can help you at work and we feature some of the products influencing the taffy bar sector. Sources report on the potential for the novelty candy market and pretzel makes discuss innovations captivating the interest of consumers.

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November / December 2023

National Confectioners Association — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 13:34:22 +0000

In This Issue: We provide a first look into NCA’s recently released Getting to Know Seasonal Chocolate & Candy Consumers report on the role confectionery plays in how consumers celebrate the holiday seasons. We also explore what is perhaps the candy category’s hottest segment — gummies. In addition, we learn about how EV charging stations are changing the way consumers shop and how Gen Alpha is impacting the market now and what we can expect from this technology-driven cohort in the future. As consumer demand for high-protein snacking options continues, we explore the meat snack sector and TradeBeyond, Ltd.’s Tim Chiu makes the case for digital supply chain solutions.

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