Convenience stores are a launch pad for new candy products. In 2005, total candy sales at convenience stores totaled $5.5 billion. (Unless otherwise indicated, all statistics are from the NACS 2006 State of the Industry report.)

Industry trends:

• On average, per-store sales of candy in convenience stores were $39,376 in 2005.
  
• Overall, candy is a convenience store's number six in-store item in terms of sales, accounting for 3.6 percent of all in-store sales dollars in 2005.
  
• Chocolate is the most popular candy category, in convenience stores, capturing 41 percent of all candy sales in 2005, followed by gum (29 percent); non-chocolate bars/packs (16 percent); and candy rolls, mints, and drops (7 percent).
  
• Candy is a top impulse purchase -- 63 percent of all shoppers say they purchase gum/mints at the checkout once a month or more. Nearly as many (58 percent) indicate they purchase candy at the counter (Source: Dechart-Hampe & Co. Front-End Focus Study).
  
• Thousands of new candy products are introduced every year. In 2003, there were 1,189 chocolate candy rollouts, 1,435 non-chocolate candy rollouts, 211 chewing gum rollouts and 119 breath fresheners (mouthwash and breath mint) rollouts (Source: Productscan Online).
  
• Confectionary is the top snack purchased in the country -- accounting for 37.9 percent of total snack dollars (Source: Data Monitor).
  
• Adult Americans (over the age of 18) eat 65 percent of the candy produced annually in the U.S. (Source: National Confectioner's Association).

Trends in candy:

• "Interactive candy" -- candy that is packaged with dispensers -- is a rapidly growing subcategory. Many dispensers are meant to be collectibles, while others are promotional, often used for movie or video game tie-ins. At least half of all these sales are in convenience stores.
• A new -- and growing -- trend is "energy" candy that provides benefits similar to those of energy drinks and energy bars.
  
• Candy is the most popular comfort food. The University of Illinois released a study that found that people are more likely to seek out comfort food more when they're jubilant than when they're "blue" (Source: June 2000 American Demographics).
• Health and well-being: Dark chocolate, for its antioxidants, and low-to-no-sugar candy are growing in popularity.
  
• Gross-out factor: Products that "disgust" adults -- by name and/or looks -- are kid favorites.
  
• Extreme products: Particularly products that are the sourest, bluest and chewiest.
  
• Neat packaging: With so many impulse buys, packaging helps capture a candy-buyer's eye.
  
• Brand extensions: Using a brand name consumers already recognize to introduce a new product; also may appeal to nostalgia for older brand names.

Seasonal sales and candy:

• Halloween is the number-one seasonal event for candy sales, with total seasonal sales estimated to top $2.0 billion. Other popular events are, in order, Easter, Christmas and Valentine's Day.
  
• More candy-makers design specialty products and packaging for seasonal holidays. It adds excitement and sales potential, especially since seasonal candy sales can be as much as one third of all candy sales in a given year.