Halloween Candy Sales Fall With Inflation

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – US Halloween candy sales are lagging behind last year as consumers face rising living costs and high chocolate prices.

Candy sales fell 6.7% in the month ended October 17 compared with the same period last year, according to market research firm NielsenIQ, the Associated Press reported. Sales had also declined 11.7% in mid-September compared with a year earlier, wiping out the preseason gains recorded during the previous two years.

Through mid-October, small bags were the only package size to record sales growth, while large and extra-large bags saw the steepest declines.

Candy and gum prices in the United States rose 44% over the five years through September, according to government data. By comparison, prices for all food consumed at home increased 22.5% over the same period, the AP said.

The price increases are also reflected in retail Halloween promotions. Discount grocer Aldi was recently advertising a 135-piece variety pack of Mars Inc. chocolate bars, including Milky Way and Snickers, for $19.87. Five years ago, consumers could purchase a much larger 250-piece variety pack for almost the same price, it noted.

Cocoa prices have been a primary driver behind the higher cost of chocolate. Historic high cocoa costs—triggered by adverse weather in West Africa, which produces 70% of the world’s cocoa supply, along with global supply disruptions—have significantly pushed up production costs for confectioners.

Weaker demand extends beyond chocolate. NielsenIQ data showed that the average price of non-chocolate Halloween candy, including gummies and lollipops, was $6.08 per pound in the nine weeks ended October 17, about 3% lower than a year earlier. The lower prices did not lead to increased sales.

Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and food industry adviser at market research firm Circana, told AP consumers have been responding to higher grocery prices by making smaller, more frequent supermarket trips and buying products closer to when they intend to use them. She said shoppers may simply be waiting until nearer Halloween to purchase candy..

The National Confectioners Association, a trade group representing candy makers including Mars, Smarties Candy Co.and Ferrara Candy Co., said it remained optimistic about sales.