“The first day beta launched, we saw someone send from California to Arizona, and then the person in Arizona turned around and sent one to Massachusetts, and then the person in Massachusetts sent one to Florida, and they hadn’t even received the gift,” says Elisabeth Vezzani. “Right from the beginning, I just felt really confident that if we gave it our all we had something.”

Bestore, a snack chain store, is featured on the giant display in Times Square.

“We have all the competitors that everybody else does in the States,” say founder Robin Burnette. “We have all the grocery stores, Walmart. They’re selling chocolate bars. [But] in Canada they sell all Canadian chocolate bars. A majority of Canadians go south in the winter time, so we carry a lot of U.S. chocolate bars. We’ve got that chocolate bar that you like from the States that you found, and we also bring in the British chocolate and a lot of Dutch licorice.”

Royal Candy Co. is celebrating its 25th year in business with an expansion that will last through the month of January.

Walgreens Boots Alliance has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Rite Aid.

The Midwest is about to get it — IT’SUGAR that is.

Inspired by the recent surge in subscription boxes for everything from makeup addicts to fishermen, they decided to create a box for everyone with a sweet tooth.

Sweet Pete’s Candy has made its first foray into new markets with the acquisition of Jolly Good Fellows Sweet Boutique in Lake Forest, Ill.

Working out of a kitchen just a few blocks north of the U.S. Capitol building, Dave Burton and his team create an assortment of lollipops, flavored marshmallows, chocolate-covered Oreos, divinity, barks and other tasty confections.

Thompson sat down with Candy Industry Magazine to chat about the new retail store, premium chocolate and Ghirardelli.