October 1/New York/Nielsen -- Pumpkin is everywhere these days. From the neighborhood coffee house to the local grocery store, this palate-pleasing player has spread like wildfire throughout restaurants and stores this season, and seemingly earlier than last year. Last year, pumpkin-flavored offerings in the U.S. grew 18.8% in Nielsen-measured retail outlets, selling over $290 million during calendar year 2012.
Though many pumpkin offerings are available year-round, there’s no denying the seasonal popularity of this particular brand of squash right now. Last year, 70% of pumpkin-oriented grocery sales in the U.S. occurred between September and November. And sales were not limited to pie filling; pumpkin pops up across the kitchen landscape -- from breakfast foods to beverages to the ever-popular dessert items.