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Most of us probably have a favorite kind of candy.
It might be a niche kind that you can only find at your local candy shop, like a cotton candy-flavored lobster-shaped lollipop from Maine, or a maple sugar candy in the shape of maple leaves, which is popular in Vermont.
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But, by and large, most of us are buying the national brands.
Top-selling candy in the U.S.
By annual sales, the most popular candy brands in 2025 are:
- Reese’s (Hershey): $2.8 billion
- M&M’s (Mars): $2.5 billion
- Snickers (Mars): $1.8 billion
- Hershey’s Milk Chocolate: $1.3 billion
- Kit Kat (Hershey, U.S. license): $900 million
Since the overwhelming majority of Americans favor candy made by a few corporate giants, it makes it hard for smaller brands to compete.
Even if a small local shop carries the most popular brands, it’s hard to undercut larger competition and maintain healthy profit margins.
“The Hershey Company rules the U.S. chocolate world with a 35.5% market share in 2022,” a report by One Stop Import reveals, adding, “Mars sits right behind Hershey in chocolate sales, and these two companies run the American market together. Mars actually leads by a tiny 0.4% when you look at all candy sales.”
Rocky’s Peanut Company closing down
And now, Rocky’s Peanut Company, a popular candy shop in Detroit, Mich., has announced it will shut down after over 60 years in business.
Rocky’s Peanut Company is located in Detroit’s iconic Eastern Market, a sprawling area just off the Detroit River that sells things like flowers, jewelry, produce, and tacos on the weekend.
Its history reaches back to the 19th century, when Detroit was a boomtown for trade and expansion at the height of the industrial revolution.
Rocky’s Peanut Company was a mainstay at Detroit’s Eastern Market.
It began in 1971 and moved locations in downtown Detroit in 1981. It’s been there ever since, selling things like candy, nuts, and other snacks.
“It is with a heavy heart that, after many years, decades, and family generations, Rocky’s will be closing its doors — with no exact date, but timeline by October 2025,” Rocky’s wrote on social media, indicating its owner plans to retire.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank our incredible community — you’ve not just been customers but have truly become part of our family. Rocky’s has stood in Eastern Market for decades because of your love, loyalty, and countless shared memories.”
The candy industry is consolidating
Local candy shops are finding it harder to compete against large corporate incumbents as the space continues to consolidate.
“Walmart remains the go-to sweet snack destination for 77.6% of shoppers, while Target attracts 38.3% as the second favorite store,” One Stop Import reports.
As large retailers, like big-box stores and dollar stores, grow their customer bases, smaller candy shops have been closing at a faster pace.
Top small candy stores have closed
The following independent candy shops have closed their doors recently after decades in business:
- Jameson’s Candy in New Castle, PA
- The Candy Store on Main Street in Tiburon, CA
- Baum’s Chocolates in Kennewick, WA
- Sweet Dreams in Berkeley, CA
- The Chocolate Tree in Beaufort, SC
- Candy Masterpiece in Great Falls, MT
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