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Confectionery Wholesaling in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Christopher Lombardo Christopher Lombardo New York, United States Last Updated: February 2024 NAICS 42445

Revenue

$63.4bn

2024

$63.4bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

39,934

Businesses

3,324

Wages

$X.Xbn

Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry analysis

Confectionary wholesalers contend with an increasingly competitive environment as vertically integrated companies expand their reach and operation costs mount. Consumers are reducing sugar consumption as prices climb and more individuals seek healthier eating habits. The rising price of sugar boosts purchase costs for wholesalers, who are also contending with volatile diesel prices. Passing costs to downstream buyers has become increasingly tricky as vertically integrated competitors leverage economies of scale to generate lower selling prices, and health-conscious consumers view the higher cost as an incentive to continue healthier eating habits. Revenue has been sinking at a CAGR of 0.1% over the past five years and is expected to reach $63.4 billion in 2024, when revenue will drop an estimated 0.3%.

Trends and Insights

  • The number of vertically integrated companies is growing. Vertically integrated companies can easily manufacture and distribute their products--often some of the most popular brands--outcompeting the average wholesaler.
  • Chocolate products enjoy more consumer loyalty. Even during periods of economic downturn, chocolate products outperform other candy segments, so distributing various chocolate brands is a good bet.
  • Population density is key in the Mid-Atlantic region. New York City houses many specialty restaurants, gift shops and premium stores that sell or use candy and snack products.
  • Since confectionery and snacks are discretionary food items, quality is one of the most important bases of competition. Consumers tend to be very discerning of confectionery products' quality, especially in terms of taste, color and texture.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $63.4bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Sales weaken amid shifting consumer preferences

  • Amid the pandemic's peak, consumption of sugar expanded as consumers sought comfort foods, like chocolate and other candies, during the stressful conditions; however, trends quickly reversed in the pandemic's wake, causing weakening sales.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Confectionery Wholesaling in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
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Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The largest candy producers' distribution presences will balloon

  • Market share concentration is slated to expand as vertically integrated distribution operations widen the gap between themselves and the average confectionary wholesaler, leaving little room for new competition.

Biggest companies in the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
17,871.5
5,165.0
28.9
Performance Food Group Co
10,949.2
1,399.4
12.8
Mars Inc.
8,973.1
1,784.0
19.9

To view the market share and analysis for all 7 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Confectionery Wholesaling in the US
Products & Services
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Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Chocolate, Non-chocolate candy and Gum and mints. Chocolate is the largest segment of the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US.

Trends and Insights

Consumers' penchant for chocolate overrides healthier eating habits

  • Chocolate products are the largest product segment for confectionary wholesalers. The segment is varied, ranging from basic dark and milk chocolate bars to seasonal varieties, specialty items and gift boxes.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Wholesalers in this industry wholesale a range of chocolate and nonchocolate candy, in addition to a range of savory snacks like nuts, popcorn and chips. Wholesalers resell these products to supermarkets, specialty confectionery retail outlets, convenience stores and vending machine operators.

What's included in this industry?

Candy wholesalingChewing gum wholesalingPotato chips wholesalingChocolate candy wholesalingFreshly made confectionery wholesalingCorn chips and related corn snacks wholesalingFountain fruits and syrups wholesaling

Companies

Frito-Lay North America, Inc.Performance Food Group CoMars Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 7 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

WHOLESALE BYPASSMANUFACTURERS' SALES BRANCHES AND OFFICES (MSBOS)ANTIOXIDANTSCACAOCOCOA

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 42445 - Confectionery Wholesaling in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The number of vertically integrated companies is growing. Vertically integrated companies can easily manufacture and distribute their products--often some of the most popular...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Chocolate products enjoy more consumer loyalty. Even during periods of economic downturn, chocolate products outperform other candy segments, so distributing various chocolat...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Population density is key in the Mid-Atlantic region. New York City houses many specialty restaurants, gift shops and premium stores that sell or use candy and snack products...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Since confectionery and snacks are discretionary food items, quality is one of the most important bases of competition. Consumers tend to be very discerning of confectionery ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Frito-Lay North America Inc. is a private company with an estimated 55,000 employees. In the United States, it is are regarded as an all-star because it outperforms its compe...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Frito-Lay North America, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Performance Food Group Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Mars Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 4 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Frito-Lay North America, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Performance Food Group Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Mars Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 4 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The Food and Drug Administration protects public health. The rising public scrutiny over the nutritional content of snacks and candy will increase regulatory pressure on conf...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Volatile input costs have offset profit growth. The world prices of sugar and cocoa, among the key inputs for chocolate and candy production, have remained volatile, affectin...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is $63.4bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in 2024?

There are 3,324 businesses in the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Confectionery Wholesaling market in United States are Frito-Lay North America, Inc., Performance Food Group Co and Mars Inc.

What does the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US in United States include?

Candy wholesaling and Chewing gum wholesaling are part of the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Frito-Lay North America, Inc..

How competitive is the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Confectionery Wholesaling in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Grocery Wholesaling in the US
  • Frozen Food Wholesaling in the US
  • Dairy Wholesaling in the US
  • Soft Drink, Baked Goods & Other Grocery Wholesaling in the US

Complementors

  • There are no industries to display.

International industries

  • Soft Drink and Pre-Packaged Food Wholesaling in Australia
  • Soft Drink and Pre-Packaged Food Wholesaling in New Zealand
  • Confectionery Wholesaling in the UK
  • Food, Beverage & Tobacco Wholesaling in Ireland

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are Alfabank-Adres reports created?

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for Alfabank-Adres readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of Alfabank-Adres’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

Alfabank-Adres relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do Alfabank-Adres analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, Alfabank-Adres’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does Alfabank-Adres forecast its data?

Alfabank-Adres’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

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