Washington

ONLINE shopping, curbside pick-up and self-checkout aisles have made it quicker and easier than ever for Americans to buy the things that they need. That is a huge problem for the candy and chocolate industries, which have made billions over the years off waits at the register - and customers' last-minute impulse buys.

Those lost "instant consumable" sales, combined with "a more competitive snacking environment", helped slow Hershey Co sales last year below expectations, the sweets company said on Thursday.