HALLOWEEN CANDY IS THE REAL JUMPSCARE.

The real news

The story, straight

HALLOWEEN CANDY IS THE REAL JUMPSCARE.

THE REAL NEWS

Halloween candy sales fell 6.7% in the month ending Oct. 17 compared with the same period last year, according to NielsenIQ. In mid-September, sales were down 11.7%.

THE ABSURD

The scariest thing in the candy aisle isn't the skeleton. It's realizing the fun-size bag now requires full-size financial planning.

Aldi advertised a 135-piece Mars variety pack for $19.87, almost what consumers paid for a 250-piece pack five years ago.

THE BREAKDOWN

Candy and gum prices were up 44% over five years as of September, while food-at-home prices rose 22.5%. Cocoa is a major factor: global cocoa prices hit a record $10,710 per metric ton in January 2025 after poor weather in West Africa and speculative trading.

Higher gas prices are also adding to affordability pressure.

THE UPSIDE

Small bags were the only candy sizes showing sales growth through mid-October, while large and extra-large bags saw the biggest declines. Circana also suggested shoppers may simply be waiting until closer to Halloween, as consumers make smaller, more frequent grocery trips.

Halloween may be bruised, but it isn't buried yet.