Easter candy sales will reach $1.99 billion

There's good reason for confectioners to invest in items such as chocolate-dipped Peeps, fancy candy "nests", and edible Easter baskets.

Chocolate bunnies, candy creme-filled eggs, jelly beans, and marshmallow bunnies or chicks are the most popular Easter items, according to a recent survey by the National Confectioners Association. It also predict that sales of all types of Easter candy will reach $1.99 billion _ higher than last year's actual sales of $1.85 billion.

One of the reasons?

As the economy drags, financial stresses prompt a require for something sweet.