CHICAGO -- Candy sales in viands d...

CHICAGO -- Candy sales in viands drug and mass channels hit $67 billion in 2003 an increase from $66 billion in 2002 according to Information Resources, Inc.
Excluding Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the data for the 52-week period fall of the curtained December 28, 2003, shows chocolate category sales increased 29 percent to $43 billion, while non-chocolate slipped 07 percent to about $24 billion. Gum sales are not included in the figures.
Leading chocolate were 35-oz and larger bars, bags and boxe with a dollar share of about 32 percent Dollar sales grew slightly more than eight