It'Sugar Continues Experiential Store Expansion

U.S. specialty candy retailer It'Sugar is opening new department stores, including a 20,335-square-foot pop-up in New York's Times Square. The grand opening is slated for fall 2022. The expansion plan aims to showcase “America’s love for chocolate and candy and their affinity for beloved brands,” according to a company news release. The new experiential candy emporium, as It’Sugar calls it, in Times Square will take over space vacated by Modell's Sporting Goods and include immersive candy experiences and “over-the-top” product displays. The Times Square opening comes after It’Sugar opened an 11,400-square-foot experiential pop-up location on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile this spring and a 10,600-square-foot pop-up store in San Francisco’s Union Square. The company also plans to open its first store in Canada at the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta in the fall. Several of the new store locations replace former flagship stores such as Disney and Forever 21, which It’Sugar believes highlights the continued demand for candy and related branded merchandise. It’Sugar’s permanent department store locations include American Dream, located right outside Manhattan, and in Honolulu's Ala Moana Center. “[At It’Sugar] we created an environment that connects with our consumers and fosters the greatest feeling of happiness with over-the-top displays and a fun and playful vibe,” said Jeff Rubin, CEO & founder of It’Sugar, in the release. “Times Square shares our energy and spirit and is the perfect location for our next massive candy department store." According to research from a 2022 “State of Treating” report published by the National Confectioners Association and cited by It’Sugar, chocolate and candy sales grew 11% in 2021 compared to 2020 and by more than 15% compared to 2019. The total confectionery category reached nearly $37 billion in retail sales in 2021 and is projected to hit $44.9 billion in sales by 2026. “It’Sugar puts the confectionery category on full display by combining the industry’s beloved products with a unique and innovative in-person retail experience and enhancing the magic related to shoppers’ favorite treats,” John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said in It’Sugar’s release. “There’s no question that chocolate and candy play an important role in the lives of Americans, as they are a memorable part of many celebrations and every day treating.” It’Sugar’s department stores feature stations housing hundreds of different kinds of candy, including exclusive flavors of Mars Wrigley Confectionery's Skittles, Mondelez International's Sour Patch Kids and Pez candy and dispensers, to give shoppers a personalized experience. The stores also include immersive areas devoted to retro and international candy, TikTok-trending treats, and other themes to provide entertainment to customers. Dedicated departments within the store spotlight beloved brands and branded shop-in-shops are filled with unique confections, quirky candy-themed gifts and giant branded characters throughout the store. It'Sugar’s pop-up department stores generally have lease terms ranging from 13-36 months, according to the release.

It'Sugar Continues Experiential Store Expansion

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