As Halloween approaches in the United States, the prices of candies have noticeably increased this year, but people are still preparing to spend a significant amount of money to celebrate. The latest data shows that candy and chewing gum prices in the US have risen by 8.1% compared to last year, exceeding the overall inflation rate by two-fold. Despite this, it is estimated that American consumers will still spend $4.1 billion on Halloween candies this year, with total spending expected to reach $13.5 billion.
According to a report by FOX 5 New York on Sunday, October 11th, data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that candy and chewing gum prices in August rose by 8.1% compared to the same period last year, far surpassing the 3.4% increase in overall consumer prices during that time.
A survey conducted by the National Retail Federation (NRF) reveals that 96% of Halloween shoppers plan to purchase candies, making candies the most popular item for this holiday. It is expected that the total spending on Halloween candies in the US this year will reach $4.1 billion.
Despite the rise in candy prices, Americans’ overall Halloween spending budget has not decreased. The NRF predicts that the total Halloween spending in the US this year will reach $13.5 billion, higher than the $13.1 billion in 2025, an increase of $400 million, representing a growth of approximately 3.1%.
On average, each consumer is expected to spend $115.14, slightly higher than the $114.45 spent last year.
Allison Zeller, Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights at NRF, stated that consumers still value Halloween but are also increasingly conscious of whether the prices of goods are affordable when preparing for the holiday.
Faced with rising prices, many American consumers are beginning to adjust their shopping habits.
The NRF survey found that if Halloween product prices exceed expectations, more than one-third of consumers will compare prices between different retailers, while over a quarter plan to look for coupons or promotional items.
Early shopping has also become a choice for many people. Nearly half of consumers plan to start purchasing Halloween items in September or earlier. Among consumers who shop early, 23% say they do so to spread out their expenses.
Discount stores remain the top choice for Americans to purchase Halloween supplies, with 39% of respondents planning to shop at these types of stores. This is followed by Halloween specialty stores at 32%, and online shopping at 27%.
The survey was commissioned by NRF and conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics from September 1st to 9th, interviewing a total of 7,889 consumers.