The war between Mars and Nestlé raged on as Mars declared Mars Bar was still the number one selling single bar over Nestlé's Kit Kat. This claim comes out of Mars' The Sweet Counter 2000-2001 report which is based on data from Information Resources. In the singles rankings Mars Bar is first, followed by Kit Kat Chunky, Snickers, then Kit Kat 4 finger and Twix. The confectionery market has grown 2% to £5.8bn this year, according to the report. Multiples now dominate the market with a 46% overall share and 50% increase in sales of single bars over the last three years. The sugar sector has accounted for 35% of total confectionery sales this year. And the bitesize category has grown 18% in 2000, with Maltesers taking a kingsize 24% market share. Mars claims there has been a 60% increase in sales of its M&M's in the year to date. Sam McElligott, trade relations manager at Mars, said: "The whole confectionery market is buoyant at the moment and we are particularly interested in developing our sugar portfolio, especially gums and jellies, and we will be looking at mints. "Grab bags for sharing are becoming more popular, as are bitesize versions of old favourites." {{P&P }}

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