HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Mars Chocolate is helping c-store customers build their Easter baskets with new items and merchandising displays.

With Easter on April 16, this year’s season will be three weeks longer than the previous year. Mars is strategically targeting key Easter usage occasions by inspiring sharing and decorating throughout the season, building a better basket and attracting consumers toward impulse purchases of their favorite Mars brands.

Capturing seasonal trends in confections, Mars Chocolate notes 62% of the population celebrates Easter, with 71% of consumers purchasing chocolate; and 56% of chocolate purchases are for Easter baskets. Bunnies, novelty items (canes, eggs and tubes) and multi-pack shapes (eggs and bunnies) continue to be the centerpieces for Easter baskets. And for shoppers who aren’t looking to fill an Easter basket, 58% of consumers purchased chocolate on impulse during Easter.

C-store shoppers can look forward to new items from Mars Chocolate such as: 

• DOVE Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs: The latest addition to the “Mars Shapes” portfolio
• M&M’s White Chocolate Candies
• M&M’s Peanut Butter Speckled Eggs, available in a sharing size

Mars Chocolate offers retailers Easter point-of-purchase displays that can help provide inspiration and gift ideas for the season.