Halloween candy prices rise 8.1% as U.S. shoppers plan $4.1 billion in purchases

Candy and chewing-gum prices were 8.1% higher in August than a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, outpacing the 3.4% rise in overall consumer prices. Despite the increase, a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey projects total U.S. Halloween spending at $13.5 billion, with $4.1 billion earmarked for candy. The survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics from Sept. 1-9 and involving 7,889 respondents, found that 96% of shoppers intend to buy candy, making it the holiday’s top-selling category.

"Consumers continue to make Halloween a spending priority, but they are also approaching the season with affordability in mind," NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller said. Average per-person spending is expected to be $115.14, virtually unchanged from the previous year. More than a third of respondents said they will compare prices if costs rise, and about 25% plan to seek coupons or sales. Nearly half intend to start shopping in September or earlier, with 23% of early shoppers buying items ahead of time to spread out their budgets. Discount stores attracted the largest share of shoppers (39%), followed by specialty Halloween stores (32%) and online retailers (27%).