US Halloween candy sales have declined by 6.7% compared to last year, primarily due to rising living costs and high chocolate prices.
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Market research firm NielsenIQ reported that sales had already dropped 11.7% in mid-September, erasing previous gains.
While small candy bags saw some growth, larger sizes experienced significant declines.
The price of candy and gum has surged by 44% over the past five years, driven by high cocoa costs linked to adverse weather and supply disruptions in West Africa.
Despite lower prices for non-chocolate candies, overall demand remains weak.
Consumers are adapting to higher grocery prices by making smaller, more frequent shopping trips, suggesting that many may be delaying candy purchases until closer to Halloween.
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