Halloween candy sales fall as US households face cost pressures

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 17:56 · Archive

American Halloween candy sales fell 6.7% in the month to 17 October compared with the same period last year.

Halloween candy sales in the United States fell 6.7% in the month ending 17 October compared with the same period last year, according to market research firm NielsenIQ. An 11.7% decline in mid-September erased the preseason gains that Halloween candy had enjoyed in the previous two years.

High living costs are being blamed for the slowdown. Chris Costagli, a vice president and food thought leader at NielsenIQ, said surging fuel costs have worsened consumers' concerns about affordability and dampened demand for treats. As of Friday, the national average for regular petrol stood at $4.29 a gallon, up nearly 40% from the prior year. Costagli said: 'I think what you're seeing now is a consumer that's spending so much additional money on fuel and housing and clothing and food. Some of the decisions they're making about Halloween candy, it's not necessarily because they notice it's more expensive than last year, it's because they can't afford it this year because they've paid so much more for so many other things.'

Candy prices have outpaced general inflation for years. Government data shows candy and gum prices rose 44% over five years through September, while all grocery prices rose 22.5% in the same period. Small bags of candy were the only size seeing sales growth through mid-October, whilst large and extra-large bags experienced the sharpest declines. This week, discount grocer Aldi advertised a 135-piece variety pack of Mars chocolates, including Milky Way, Trix and Snickers, for $19.87—nearly the same price consumers paid for a 250-piece pack five years ago.

How it is being reported

• Halloween candy sales off to slow start as chocolate prices soar, consumers struggle with living costsHalloween candy sales fell 6.7% in the month ended Oct. 17 compared to the same period last year, according to NielsenIQ, a market research firm.New York Post · 25 Oct, 17:44
• Halloween candy sales drop as cost of living crisis bites American householdsAmerican households struggling with elevated living expenses and steep chocolate prices have driven a sluggish start to Halloween candy sales this year.Independent World · 24 Oct, 17:15

In this story: United States · NielsenIQ · Chris Costagli · Mars Inc. · Aldi

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