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America’s 5 Top Selling Treats

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Everyone needs a treat from time to time.  Whether you have a sweet tooth, or have developed a habit of giving yourself a little reward after getting the job done, most people like to enjoy a candy bar when they can.  There is something about the combination of chocolate, nougat, peanuts, and caramel that is to die for.  Across America, candy fans have demonstrated solidarity in their choices over the years.  Many of today’s most popular candy bars have been favorites for generations.  Many successful companies that manufacture candy have kept their recipes the same for years, simply updating the packaging to match with the changing times.  Companies like Mars and Hershey’s have found massive success by merely keeping things the same.  

One important factor is that while styles in dress, art, music, and entertainment change over the passing decades, taste in sweets seems to stay the same.  So, why change a good thing?  It seems that the old maxim “don’t fix it if it’s not broken” applies perfectly well to the candy industry.  So, what are America’s bestselling candy treats? 

1. M&Ms (Mars) – Sales clearly show that these little chocolate pieces covered with a candy shell are America’s top favorite candy.  They have remained relatively unchanged since 1941 when they were invented by Forrest E. Mars Sr. and R. Bruce Murrie.  The name comes from the initials of each of the creators last names.  At the beginning, M&Ms were only available in plain milk chocolate and were sold in a tube.  In 1954 they released Peanut M&Ms and since then, a dozen variations found their way onto convenience store shelves.

2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (Hershey) – The second favorite candy in the USA is better known to the general public simply as “Reese’s.”  They were first invented by a former dairy employee of Milton S. Hershey named H.B. Reese.  Reese began selling peanut butter dipped in Hershey’s chocolate back in 1923 under the name of “penny cups.”  In 1963, Hershey bought Reese’s company and still manufactures the candy today, for a very satisfied public.

3. Hershey’s (Hershey) – These popular chocolate bars were first produced all the way back in the year 1900.  Just six years earlier, Milton S. Hershey, opened a factory that produced chocolate for the purpose of coating caramels.  This simple bar of Hershey’s chocolate has found its way into the favorite candy list of many American’s, having the third most sales of any candy in the nation.  The Hershey’s chocolate bar with almonds was first released in 1908.  

4. Snickers (Mars) – Snickers slogan of “Snickers Satisfies” can only be true to a point – with the candy bar receiving the fourth highest sales in the nation, it must leave people wanting more.  This combination of milk chocolate, peanuts, caramel and nougat was first introduced in 1930.  It received its unusual name from the Mars family’s favorite horse.

5. Orbit Gum (Wrigley/Mars) – Easily the most recent candy on this list, Orbit first hit the shelves of America in 2001.  It was initially released in Europe as far back as 1976 under the Wrigley’s brand.  Recently, Mars went on to takeover Wrigley. Orbit is easily the top selling gum in the U.S. but is also the bestselling candy in Russia.  This was Wrigley’s first sugarless gum and it sure seems like they got it right on the first try.

For companies that sell a massive amount of confectionery products, shipping and storage are important factors.  Companies such as, Atlanta Bonded, are able to provide an Atlanta confectionary warehouse and shipping services.   

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Jessica @EatSleepBe

Monday 31st of March 2014

I am an Orbit gum fan, when I chew gum that is. It hold the flavor longer than any other brand!

Amy

Monday 31st of March 2014

Sad thing is, is that most of them on this list are items a child with food allergies can't eat. :(

Lynsey @ Eternally Wanderlyn

Monday 31st of March 2014

I have a major sweet tooth, so Hershey's chocolate is a definite weakness of mine.

Michelle F.

Monday 31st of March 2014

Yummy those are all so good but my absolute favorite is snickers!

Ben

Monday 31st of March 2014

I LOVE Reeses. I could eat an entire bag of those things. Of course, Hershey's chocolate is always good.

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