Will Gourmet Chocolate Lead Easter Sales Again?

Grocery stores across the United States typically see a jump in chocolate and confectionery sales in the weeks leading up to the Easter holiday.

Even when measured against these predicted increases, one category saw remarkable growth last season: gourmet chocolate.

MyWebGrocer examined the sales of various chocolate and candy categories four weeks before Easter in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Gourmet chocolate (defined by MyWebGrocer as chocolate that is priced at $1.25 per ounce or higher) saw both unit sales and sales dollars more than double in 2010 over the previous year.

Among the brands within the gourmet chocolate category that saw increases were Lindt, Vosges, Green & Blacks, Scharffen Berger and See’s Candies. With a March 2011 report from Bloomberg on a continued increase in consumer spending, it’s likely that gourmet chocolatiers will again see a jump in sales at Easter this year.

MyWebGrocer drives digital connections between consumers, grocery retailers and CPG brands. It works with more than 110 retailers nationally, representing more than 10,000 stores and 90 major CPG brands.