Fun Facts About Candles

The candle business is the fastest growing industry today, possibly because of our society’s stressful lives and our quest for relief.

The oldest candle manufacturers still in existence are Rathbornes Candles, founded in Dublin in 1488.

Seven out of ten households in the U.S. use candles. The majority of consumers burn their candles between one to three times a week. Half of these consumers burn two candles at a time.

Candle industry research has found that the most important factor in determining a candle sale is the fragrance of the candle, with color and shape taking a distant second.

Overall candle sales are growing faster than the U.S. economy as a whole. The past few years has seen remarkable growth and strength in the candle industry.

Consumers typically burn candles for just under three hours. Nine out of ten users say they burn candles in order to make a room feel comfortable and cozy.

The most common place to burn candles are in the living room (42%), the kitchen (18%), and the bedroom (13%).

Buying a candle for someone else? Common gifts for candles include giving one for the holidays (76%), house-warming (74%), hostess/dinner parties (66%), thank you gifts (61%), and adult birthdays (58%).

The estimated retail sales of candles in the U.S. is approximately $2 billion annually, excluding the sales of candle accessories.

Candles are sold mainly in three types of retail outlets: department stores, specialty shops, and mass merchants, including drug stores, supermarkets, and discount stores.

96% of all candles are purchased by women.

The word candle is derived from the Latin word candere, meaning to shine.

Putting candles on birthday cakes comes from the medieval practice of giving a child a taper during baptism.

Get more candle information from the National Candle Association.