What Candle Company Sells The Most Candles?

Candles have become an increasingly popular home accessory and self-care item in recent years. The global candle market size was valued at $13.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2022 to 2030. Several factors are driving this growth, including the popularity of natural, ethically-sourced candles, the growth of the wellness movement, and the gifting of premium candles for home decor. As more consumers discover the ambiance and therapeutic benefits of burning scented and decorative candles, demand looks set to continue rising.

With growing consumer interest, the candle industry has expanded significantly with many new players entering the market. Established brands are also innovating with new scents, designs, and candle types to capture increasing market share. This article explores the top candle companies in terms of annual sales revenue to determine the current market leaders.

Ranking Criteria

To determine which candle company sells the most candles, we will rank the top brands based on their total annual revenue from candle sales. Revenue and sales volume are the clearest indicators of market share and overall success in the candle industry. Focusing on revenue allows us to make an apples-to-apples comparison between major national brands and smaller companies. It accounts for variations in pricing, product mix, and geographic reach. While production volume could also be used, revenue presents a more complete picture. Tracking revenue also helps level the playing field, as large brands sell candles across many channels (wholesale, retail, online, etc.), while some smaller producers sell direct-to-consumer.

#1 Yankee Candle

Yankee Candle is one of the largest and most well-known candle companies in the United States. Headquartered in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, Yankee Candle was founded in 1969 by Michael Kittredge. As legend goes, Kittredge made his first candle as a gift for his mother using melted crayons when he was just 16 years old. Friends and family loved the homemade candle and encouraged Kittredge to start selling his candles. In 1973, Kittredge officially launched Yankee Candle as a business when he opened his first store in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, Yankee Candle grew rapidly as a manufacturer and retailer of scented candles. The company focused on quality, handcrafted candles made from natural wax blends and creative fragrances. Some of Yankee Candle’s most iconic and enduring scents like Lilac Blossom, Clean Cotton, and Beach Walk were developed during this time. Yankee Candle also pioneered jar candle designs and other candle accessories that fueled its success.

In 1998, Kittredge sold Yankee Candle to private equity firm Forstmann Little for $500 million. The company continued expanding its retail stores, catalog business, and wholesale partnerships under new ownership. Yankee Candle further cemented its status as America’s top candle brand. In 2006, the private equity firm Jarden Corporation acquired Yankee Candle for $1.6 billion.

Today, Yankee Candle remains one of the most trusted and popular candle brands with over 400 retail stores globally. The company sells candles in a wide range of styles, shapes, and scents. While no longer family-owned, Yankee Candle continues its 50-year legacy of handcrafted, premium candles that made it famous.

#2 Bath & Body Works

Bath & Body Works is an American retailer under the L Brands company (also the parent company of Victoria’s Secret). It was founded in 1990 in New Albany, Ohio and has grown to over 1,700 retail locations across North America. While Bath & Body Works is known for a wide range of pampering bath products like shower gels, body lotions and hand soaps, their candles have become an extremely popular product line.

The signature candle line from Bath & Body Works comes in a variety of scents like seasonal favorites such as Pumpkin Apple and Winter Candy Apple, floral fragrances like Rose and Magnolia, and perennial best-sellers such as Mahogany Teakwood and Vanilla Bean. The candles are poured into elegant and decorative glass jars or tumblers, with many of them showcasing decorative labels and packaging. Bath & Body Works frequently releases limited edition seasonal scents and packaging as well to keep customers coming back for more.

In addition to the regular candle line, Bath & Body Works also offers luxury 3-wick candles for a more intense fragrance experience. The candles are affordably priced between $10-$26.50 USD depending on size and packaging. Bath & Body Works also frequently offers promotions such as buy 2, get 2 free to drive sales. Thanks to its popular scents, giftable packaging and strategic promotions, Bath & Body Works has grown to become one of the largest candle retailers behind Yankee Candle.

#3 SC Johnson (Glade candles)

SC Johnson, a family-owned consumer-goods company, launched Glade in 1956 as one of the first aerosol air fresheners. Over the decades, Glade has expanded into a wide range of home fragrance products including candles, wax melts, oils, and plugins.

Glade candles come in an assortment of seasonal and everyday scents. Their jar candles feature distinctive, colorful designs on a frosted glass container. Glade also offers innovative candle forms like Scented Oil Candles, which have a liquefied scented oil core that warms to fill a room as the candle burns. Overall, Glade delivers affordable, appealing candles under a trusted, longstanding brand name.

#4 Village Candle

Village Candle is a New Hampshire-based company founded in 1979 by Michael Kittredge. Originally called “the Yankee Candle” after Kittredge’s home region, the company changed its name to Village Candle in 1988 after Kittredge sold the Yankee Candle brand name. Today, Village Candle operates 40 retail stores across New England and sells candles and home fragrance products online and through major retailers.

Village Candle is known for its extensive scent selection, with over 150 fragrances across various candle lines. Some of their most popular products include the Colonial-branded jar candles, Illuma-Lite wax-filled candles, VC Basics tins and votives, and tailored seasonal collections. The wax blends are proprietary and designed for optimal fragrance throw and clean burn. Many of the scents are evocative of New England, includingClean Cotton,Cranberry Chutney, andFarmhouse Pantry.

In addition to candles, Village Candle sells wax melts, room sprays, aroma diffusers, soap, and other home goods. Their products are made in New Hampshire using domestic and imported components. While not as large as top brands like Yankee Candle or Bath & Body Works, Village Candle has a loyal customer base who value the company’s New England heritage and artisanal qualities.

#5 Colonial Candle

Colonial Candle is another top candle brand in the United States. The company was founded in 1897 in Massachusetts by Calvin and Earle Pierce. For over 120 years, Colonial Candle has been manufacturing candles with a focus on quality and craftsmanship.

Colonial Candle offers a wide variety of candle styles, including pillars, votives, tapers, jar candles, and more. Their candles are available in an array of scents across all seasons and holidays. Some of their most popular fragrances include Pineapple Cilantro, Apple Pumpkin, and Cucumber Melon.

In addition to scented candles, Colonial Candle has candles with creative designs, textures, and colors. Their hand-poured candles offer characteristics like crackled surfaces, two-toned colors, and more. The company uses premium waxes and proprietary fragrance blends.

Colonial Candle sells online, through catalogs, and in some retail stores. They produce their candles in their factory in Massachusetts. The company focuses on handcrafting quality candles while keeping up with consumer preferences and trends.

Other Major Brands

While the top 5 candle companies dominate U.S. retail sales, there are several other noteworthy brands with a strong presence and enthusiastic following in the candle marketplace.

These include:

Chesapeake Bay Candle – Popular for their range of natural soy candles, home fragrance products and unique fragrances like Old Bay Seasoning and Crabs on a Summer Breeze.

Luminara – Known for their flickering flameless candles. Luminara uses patented technology to create realistic wax pillars and candles.

WoodWick – Specializes in wood wick candles that crackle while burning. WoodWick is now owned by Yankee Candle.

There are also dozens of smaller artisanal and niche candle makers gaining popularity through sites like Etsy and specialty boutiques. The candle industry continues to see new entrants and innovation across materials, scents, vessel designs and more.

Future Outlook

The candle industry is expected to see steady growth in the coming years. This is driven by several factors:

– Increasing consumer demand for home fragrance products. Scented candles are an affordable way to make a home smell nice.

– Rising popularity of luxury and premium candles. High-end candle brands are seeing growth as consumers trade up to more expensive, better quality options.

– Growth of the gift market. Candles remain a popular gift choice for birthdays, holidays, and other occasions.

– Demand for natural and eco-friendly candles. Consumers want products made from soy, beeswax, and other natural ingredients.

– Innovation in candle styles and formats. Brands are introducing new candle vessels, sizes, scents, and features to drive interest.

– Increased penetration into developing markets. Populations with growing disposable incomes in Asia, South America and Eastern Europe present expansion opportunities.

The candle market is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 2-3% globally over the next five years. Further market consolidation and acquisitions are expected as large manufacturers seek to expand their offerings. Overall, the industry remains on a steady upward trajectory for the foreseeable future.

Summary

To recap, the top candle companies based on sales are Yankee Candle, Bath & Body Works, SC Johnson (Glade candles), Village Candle, and Colonial Candle. Yankee Candle is the clear leader, known for its extensive catalog of candle scents and iconic brand image. Bath & Body Works has risen to prominence based on its body care and home fragrance products. SC Johnson competes through its popular Glade brand, while Village Candle and Colonial Candle have carved out a niche as premium artisanal candle makers. While the candle market continues to grow, these major brands have separated themselves from competitors through innovative products, branded retail stores, and consumer loyalty.