新冠疫情期間，人們最愛吃什么食物？
John Downs
2022-04-28
圖片來源：UTE GRABOWSKY—PHOTOTHEK/GETTY IMAGES
由于新冠疫情蔓延，美國經歷了巨大的變化，人們工作、旅行、社交乃至購物方式都與以往不一樣。
在這段特殊時期，人們被迫重新看待哪些事情重要，調整日常生活習慣，也改變了慶祝節日、特殊場合和日常時刻的方式。
過去兩年里，我們都花了一些時間思考哪些事情最重要。越來越多的答案是社區。工作或家庭中如果關注社區，會有更多值得慶祝的事情。日常生活中樂趣更多。每個節日都值得慶祝，當然也需要巧克力和糖果讓重要時刻更加甜蜜。
經歷了動蕩的2020年，我們經常與家人、朋友和鄰居分離，2021年消費者對糖果重燃興趣。雖然與親朋好友交流還無法像新冠疫情爆發前一樣，但現在我們知道，2021年人們慶祝節日和特殊日子時都很努力，都在認真抓住每次機會。
美國糖果協會（National Confectioners Association）最近發布的第三份年度“享受狀態”報告顯示，2021年巧克力和糖果銷售額比2020年增長了11%，比2019年增長了15%以上，主要因為消費者越發關注節日慶祝、分享、禮物和情緒健康。2021年，糖果類總零售額達到369億美元，預計到2026年將達到449億美元。
當下的人們比以往更關注照顧自己和情緒健康。事實上，72%的消費者認為身體健康和情緒健康有關。消費者最近還發現了將巧克力和糖果融入重要時刻的新鮮玩法，正是因為甜品具有為體驗提升樂趣的神奇力量。
盡管趨勢出現種種變化，多年來有一點從未改變：人們都認為巧克力和糖果是款待親朋必備佳品，而且接受其成為特殊的社交貨幣。為此，78%的成年人認為偶爾享用巧克力或糖果完全可以接受。
隨著人們更重視家庭，更愿意通過新產品、新包裝和新品牌尋找新的享受時刻，糖果公司及零售合作伙伴將迎來新機遇。從深受喜愛的經典產品到零糖和有機食品等新產品，巧克力和糖果公司也在滿足消費者的需求。不管消費者是為在家慶祝購買糖果、挑選零食與朋友分享，還是走出商店的路上隨口品嘗，食品企業都努力提供更多關于產品內容的信息，為希望管理糖攝入量的消費者提供更多透明信息、更多選擇和分量指導。
盡管過去兩年中人們面臨種種挑戰，巧克力和糖果銷量一直穩健，因為消費者希望重視自身情緒健康，也認真看待生活中享受美味甜食的重要性。畢竟很多家庭因通貨膨脹、醫療支出乃至吃飯的成本都在不斷上升之際，糖果仍然是簡單實惠的享受。（財富中文網）
約翰·唐思（John Downs）是美國糖果協會（National Confectioners Association）的總裁及首席執行官。
譯者：梁宇
審校：夏林
由于新冠疫情蔓延，美國經歷了巨大的變化，人們工作、旅行、社交乃至購物方式都與以往不一樣。
在這段特殊時期，人們被迫重新看待哪些事情重要，調整日常生活習慣，也改變了慶祝節日、特殊場合和日常時刻的方式。
過去兩年里，我們都花了一些時間思考哪些事情最重要。越來越多的答案是社區。工作或家庭中如果關注社區，會有更多值得慶祝的事情。日常生活中樂趣更多。每個節日都值得慶祝，當然也需要巧克力和糖果讓重要時刻更加甜蜜。
經歷了動蕩的2020年，我們經常與家人、朋友和鄰居分離，2021年消費者對糖果重燃興趣。雖然與親朋好友交流還無法像新冠疫情爆發前一樣，但現在我們知道，2021年人們慶祝節日和特殊日子時都很努力，都在認真抓住每次機會。
美國糖果協會（National Confectioners Association）最近發布的第三份年度“享受狀態”報告顯示，2021年巧克力和糖果銷售額比2020年增長了11%，比2019年增長了15%以上，主要因為消費者越發關注節日慶祝、分享、禮物和情緒健康。2021年，糖果類總零售額達到369億美元，預計到2026年將達到449億美元。
當下的人們比以往更關注照顧自己和情緒健康。事實上，72%的消費者認為身體健康和情緒健康有關。消費者最近還發現了將巧克力和糖果融入重要時刻的新鮮玩法，正是因為甜品具有為體驗提升樂趣的神奇力量。
盡管趨勢出現種種變化，多年來有一點從未改變：人們都認為巧克力和糖果是款待親朋必備佳品，而且接受其成為特殊的社交貨幣。為此，78%的成年人認為偶爾享用巧克力或糖果完全可以接受。
隨著人們更重視家庭，更愿意通過新產品、新包裝和新品牌尋找新的享受時刻，糖果公司及零售合作伙伴將迎來新機遇。從深受喜愛的經典產品到零糖和有機食品等新產品，巧克力和糖果公司也在滿足消費者的需求。不管消費者是為在家慶祝購買糖果、挑選零食與朋友分享，還是走出商店的路上隨口品嘗，食品企業都努力提供更多關于產品內容的信息，為希望管理糖攝入量的消費者提供更多透明信息、更多選擇和分量指導。
盡管過去兩年中人們面臨種種挑戰，巧克力和糖果銷量一直穩健，因為消費者希望重視自身情緒健康，也認真看待生活中享受美味甜食的重要性。畢竟很多家庭因通貨膨脹、醫療支出乃至吃飯的成本都在不斷上升之際，糖果仍然是簡單實惠的享受。（財富中文網）
約翰·唐思（John Downs）是美國糖果協會（National Confectioners Association）的總裁及首席執行官。
譯者：梁宇
審校：夏林
How Americans work, travel, socialize, and even shop will never be the same after the immense change the country has experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This unique period has pushed people to reevaluate what they find important and how they spend their time. It has also changed how they celebrate holidays, special occasions, and everyday moments.
We all spent some time the last two years thinking about what matters the most. Increasingly, the answer is community. When you’re focusing on community at work or home, you’re going to celebrate more. You’re going to find joy in everyday things. You are going to mark every single holiday–and you’re going to need chocolate and candy to make those important moments a little sweeter.
In 2021, consumers re-engaged with the confectionery category after a tumultuous 2020 in which we were often physically separated from family, friends, and neighbors. While still not quite back to where we were pre-pandemic in terms of those engagements with our loved ones, we now know that those who celebrated the seasons and special occasions in 2021 went all in and celebrated big.
In 2021, chocolate and candy sales increased by 11% compared to 2020 and by more than 15% compared to 2019, as consumers increasingly focused on seasonal celebrations, sharing, gifting, and emotional well-being, according to the third annual “State of Treating” report recently published by the National Confectioners Association. The total confectionery category hit $36.9 billion in retail sales in 2021 and is projected to reach $44.9 billion in sales by 2026.
Now more than ever, people are focused on self-care and emotional well-being. In fact, 72 % of consumers believe that physical health and emotional wellbeing are connected. Because of this, consumers have recently found even more creative ways to incorporate chocolate and candy into important moments because of their uncanny ability to bring a little fun to those experiences.
With all of the changing trends, there is one thing that has remained constant over the years: people understand that chocolate and candy are treats and embrace them as a special social currency. To that end, 78% of all adults believe it is totally acceptable to occasionally enjoy a treat of chocolate or candy.
The shift to home-centricity has meant new opportunities for confectionery companies and their retail partners as consumers seek new treating moments with new items, new pack sizes, and new brands. From beloved classics to new offerings like zero sugar and organic, chocolate and candy companies are meeting consumers where they want to be met. The companies are providing more information about what’s in their products and bringing more transparency, choice, and portion guidance options to consumers seeking to manage their sugar intake–whether that’s buying candy for family celebrations at home, picking up a treat to share with friends, or treating yourself on the way out of the store.
With all the challenges we’ve faced these past two years, chocolate and candy have remained resilient as consumers looked to prioritize their emotional well-being and created a special place for these treats in their lives. In contrast to rising costs for families related to inflation, healthcare, and simply putting food on the table, candy remains a simple, affordable treat.
John Downs is the president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association.
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