Trends in Edible Gifts at Candy Stores

Sweet treats abound at candy stores, and while shops are just beginning to look toward the year ahead, new delicious ideas are certain for 2022.

At Cerreta Candies in Glendale, Ariz., Manager Alex Aragon said the approximately 3,600-square-foot shop’s top selling gifts include their “signature candy, French Mint.” Closely following this best-seller are “Arizona-related western shapes, which are chocolates that are shaped like boots, sheriff’s badges, cowboy hats, and things like that.” The reason these items are top sellers is two-fold, he explained. “They are both very unique, that’s the main thing. The western shapes I believe are also popular because people love to give and get locally themed gifts, and it’s so much fun when you also get to eat them at the end.” He added, “As to the French Mint, it is a true fan favorite.”

Aragon noted that “Those are our top gift items for both in-state and out of state customers. Everything we sell is available online, so they can be purchased anywhere, and those two are particular favorites.”

New merchandise for the new year is still being discussed. “We won’t make that decision just yet. In 2021 we added an item called the Beverly Essential Kit, which is a gift set that’s a mix of candies in a goody box to boost spirits during a tough time. Among the items it contains are French Mint pralines.” The box also contains items like Cactus chews, caramel corn, French Mint truffles, and a chocolate bar with an Arizona-themed wrap. “It’s an easy gift-giving item, and candy can always put a smile on your face. I think more of these kinds of items, gift boxes, will be in the mix next year,” Aragon said.

In Scottsdale, Ariz., Jerry Vargas , manager of It’Sugar, described the store’s top sellers as candy treats sold in themed tins and boxes. “We sell a lot of character tins with the candy it matches inside. One of our most popular gift items is a Sour Patch Kids character-shaped tin with Sour Patch candy inside; we also have a Nerds tin, and a Swedish fish tin. They all do very well.” He said that people are drawn to the fun packaging as well as the candies they love that the tins contain.

Like Aragon, Vargas said that he sees no real difference in orders made for in-state and out of state shipping. “It’s all done through our website, and I can tell you that seasonal gift items are often popular no matter who is ordering them. For example at Christmas time, we do humorous novelty boxes with bulk candies in them, such as our ‘Merry Friggin’ Christmas’ box filled with chocolate rocks. It’s perfect for that ‘bah humbug’ sort of person. Jingle Berries are also a big holiday gift seller by mail. Those are chocolate-covered gummy bears.”

For next year, Vargas foresees candy items that originate on TikTok as trending. Currently these crowd favorites do well at the 2,000-square-foot store. “That’s certainly our biggest trend right now, candies featured on TikTok that wind up in the store. I also expect that will continue, and I also expect us to continue to do well with blind mystery box items that contain differ-