The non-chocolate novelty category, as well as marshmallows and specialty nut and coconut candy, have experienced growth over the last year.
Sales of non-chocolate novelty candy just missed $1.2 billion in the year ending May 15, according to IRI, a Chicago-based research firm. That represents growth of 27 percent. Unit sales increased almost 18 percent to 572 million. The average unit price also increased $0.15 to $2.08.