Ferrara Leverages New Virtual 3D Convenience Store Shelf Testing with NIQ

Chicago, Illinois - Ferrara Candy Company, the top-selling sugar confections company in the U.S., announced the results of a recent collaboration with NielsenIQ (NIQ) that tested shopper behavior virtually through SmartStore®, NIQ’s exclusive 3D simulation of an in-store and point-of-purchase experience.

SmartStore testing found that Ferrara’s shelving principles drive category dollar sales up to 6% higher. Ferrara’s shelving principles are derived from the company’s deep understanding of the sugar candy shopper, leveraging insights to enhance aisle flow and bring visibility to top-selling brands and products.

Convenience stores are responsible for 36% of U.S. everyday sugar candy sales, and yet shoppers aren’t always finding what they want. Generally, shoppers find the candy aisle difficult to navigate with the proliferation of products; retailers have less than one minute of the shopper’s time to see shelving strategies drive success.

“Sugar candy is the fastest growing sub-category among all confections, and Ferrara is the leading U.S. seller of sugar candy, driving 90% of the category growth in convenience stores,” said Edward Taylor, Chief Customer Officer for Ferrara. “Using NIQ’s SmartStore helps us give convenience store customers what they are looking for at the place where they buy the most candy. Shoppers are happier, and retailers grow sales.”

Ferrara worked with NIQ’s SmartStore to test customers’ interactions in a 3D simulation of a convenience store. The 3D approach improves upon existing 2D virtual simulations and removes issues with live in-market testing like external variables, geographic limitations, and small sample sizes. Results of virtual tests came within 1% of Ferrara’s own in-store research.

“SmartStore offers a highly predictive environment to assess shopper reactions to both current and potential scenarios,” said Michael Pailas, Vice President, Consumer & Marketing Insights at NIQ. “The flexible environment allows us to measure the impact of subtle changes on shopper behavior and perceptions for companies like Ferrara and their retail partners.”

SmartStore® is a registered trademark of NIQ.

About Ferrara®

For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is a leading sugar confectioner in the United States and Brazil, with global sales in more than 40 countries. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of more than 8,300 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 30+ popular brands like Brach’s®, Jelly Belly®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 67 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, China, and Thailand that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero-related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

About NielsenIQ (NIQ)

NielsenIQ (NIQ) is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. NIQ combined with GfK in 2023, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. Today NIQ has operations in more than 95 countries covering 97% of GDP. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™.