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Candy IndustryCandy Industry TrendsChocolate ProductsCandy Industry News

Awake Chocolate accelerates national retail expansion

The brand is now in more than 1,300 Kroger stores nationwide.

By Candy Industry Staff
Awake Chocolate debuts caffeinated dark chocolate pack

Courtesy of Awake Chocolate

April 8, 2026

On the heels of its recent 7-Eleven rollout, Awake Chocolate is rapidly scaling its U.S. retail footprint with a wave of new launches across grocery, natural, and convenience channels this spring.

The brand has secured placement in more than 1,300 Kroger stores nationwide beginning this month alongside new and recent launches with key retailers including Wegmans, Albertsons, H-E-B, EG America, and RaceTrac. The brand has also recently expanded across natural and regional grocers including Sprouts Farmers Market and Save Mart Companies banners (Save Mart, Lucky’s, Lucky California).

A few highlights include:

  • Kroger: 1,321 stores nationwide (limited-time spring run) 
  • Albertsons: 300 stores across Texas and Southern California beginning late April
  • H-E-B: Launching in 155 stores across Texas, hitting shelves this month 
  • Wegmans: 20-count packs launching in May, alongside front-end placement of the Milk Chocolate Bar 
  • EG America + Yesway/Allsup’s: Front-of-store placement starting April 
  • OXXO: 200+ locations across the Southwest 
  • Mother’s Market: $0.99 bites at checkout 

Across channels, Awake is leaning into a dual-format strategy—multi-pack bags in grocery and natural, paired with $0.99 single-serve bites at the register—designed to capture both planned purchase and impulse occasions, it says. The expansion reflects growing retailer interest in functional snacking as consumers look beyond traditional energy drinks for more convenient, affordable formats, the brand notes.


Related: Awake Chocolate grows its revenue by 55%

KEYWORDS: AWAKE Chocolate expansion

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