Do you think all businesses are suffering right now? Well guess what makes the hard times a little easier to handle – candy. There are many historical markers that show candy sales soar when the economy is in the tank. As unemployment rises, so do sales of Tootsie Rolls, Gummy Bears and Hershey’s Kisses. Terese McDonald, owner or Candyality in Chicago says her business is up 80% compared to this time last year. She’s struggling to keep up with the demand for Bit-O-Honeys, Swedish Fish and Sour Balls.
Nestlé’s profits surged a staggering 30% in 2008. British chocolate maker Cadbury saw their revenue rise 10.9% in the same time period.
Remember the Great Depression? Candy companies found a burst of growth in the 1930s as well. Those hard times spawned the introduction of such candy great as Snickers (1930), Tootsie Pops (1931), Mars bars and Three Musketeers (1932).
It seems candy brings back memories of better times before bank collapses and government bailouts. And yes, sales of candy up and down Wall Street have exploded as out of work bankers and stock brokers look for a little sugar lift in a languishing economy. Perhaps a small indulgence dulls the sting of no paycheck.
Are you recognizing similar opportunities that may actually be fueled by the struggling economy? Is this recession a help or a hindrance to your current business? Don’t assume that every business is suffering.
Tags: cadbury, cnady, depression, hershey, kisses, nestle, tootsie, wall street
Dan Miller's Blog 
October 22, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Dan, my business is growing quite rapidly…which is SWEET. When you’re in the business of providing an escape/pleasure (the candy industry) or you’re in the business of enabling others to succeed (you and me) then you’re going to thrive when things are bad or good.
October 24, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I read on futurist writer Richard Watson’s What’s Next blog that lipstick and senna tablets are also big during rough times (http://toptrends.nowandnext.com/?p=686)
October 31, 2009 at 11:29 pm
You can only imagine how exciting it is to read information such as this when in fact my online bakery launched as Oct 1st of this year. I must admit the business was not started due to these stats but I’m very pleased to read them and yes, I’m hoping to capitalize on the situation 🙂
November 1, 2009 at 2:05 am
Julie P123…what’s your bakery’s address? I love baked goods!
November 1, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Hi Andy,
The website is http://www.SmallWondersCanadianTreats.com Please stop by I’ll ship anyway in the Continental US!
J
November 2, 2009 at 4:16 am
I’ve been in the vending business for almost 10 years now and business has never been better. In times of trouble, people seek the comfort of food. Sometimes I feel bad but then I realize that for less than $1 I am giving someone a moment of relief.
Of course not everything is perfect. My costs (including product costs) have raised over the years, but my margin is still solid.
Chuck
aka The Vending Guy
November 6, 2009 at 8:53 pm
interesting. I love making sweets. Maybe I should seek that line of business and plan something online. Encourages me to think deep!
November 15, 2009 at 11:41 pm
[…] these part time gigs, I don’t think I would take my full salary back if they offered it to me. Candy Business Thrives During Economic Down Times. […]