When vacation season hits, everything changes—including the way we snack.

At Bison Brands, we’ve been tracking how consumer behavior shifts in vacation mode. It’s not just about warmer weather—it’s about new routines, road trips, and the freedom to indulge. This opens a world of opportunity across travel retail, gas stations, kiosks, and growing demand for seasonal frozen formats to stay relevant during hotter months.

🚗 On-the-Go Indulgence: Where Consumers Buy in Transit

From road trip pit stops to train station kiosks, vacation-time purchases differ from everyday snacking.

According to the 2025 State of Treating report, 86% of Americans who travel by car buy candy during their trip—with gummies and peg bag formats leading for portability, resealability, and family appeal.

In Europe, sour gummies and licorice dominate transit retail. Brands now adapt packaging and messaging to fit holiday habits.

One distinction: chocolate tends to disappear in hot southern European countries during summer, creating opportunities for non-chocolate innovation. Chocolate brands are responding with summer-ready formats like frozen desserts. Example: Ferrero Rocher and Raffaello ice creams.

🏪 Gas Stations & Kiosks: Small Spaces, Big Opportunity

Gas stations and kiosks are:

● Impulse zones: Perfect for peg bags and bold summer formats.
● Discovery spots: Travelers are open to new, fun snacks.
● Experience enhancers: Candy builds the mood and memory.

Retailers that use cross-merchandising—placing candy near sunscreen or beach gear—drive impulse buys. These setups link candy to the emotion of vacation shopping: joy, spontaneity, and fun.

🍦 Seasonal Transformations: Ice Cream Extensions Are Booming

Many confectionery brands are crossing into the ice cream aisle.

In Europe, Mars’ Twix Ice Cream Bars are a seasonal staple, blending candy nostalgia with frozen convenience. Similarly, Oreo and Kinder have launched frozen formats popular in summer retail.

These extensions let brands stay relevant across temperature zones while bringing something fresh.

❄️ Flash Pops: A Freezer Favorite

Flash pops—liquid candy sticks turned into frozen treats—are gaining traction.

In the U.S., bold colors and social media-friendly packaging make them ideal for TikTok and YouTube buzz.

In Europe, brands like Fini, Vidal, and Fiesta offer their own versions. Even children’s licenses now use the format, creating character-themed frozen treats kids love.

📦 Pouch Packs & Resealable Minis: Built for the Road

Another rising favorite: pouch packs and resealable minis.

In the U.S. and Europe, travelers favor small, easy-to-carry packs. Benefits include:

● Portability: Easy to carry.
● Resealability: Cleaner and portion-friendly.
● Flavor variety: Keeps snacking fun.

For brands, these formats offer flexible merchandising and strong convenience appeal.

As summer travel reshapes consumer behavior, the most successful confectionery brands are those that adapt to the rhythms of the season—meeting shoppers where they are, quite literally. Whether it’s through frozen innovations, travel-friendly formats, or impulse-ready displays, there’s a world of opportunity in the way people snack on the go. In vacation mode, candy becomes more than a treat—it becomes part of the journey.