Candy Prices Up 7.7 Percent in a Year, More Than Double Inflation, Yet Americans Still Plan $4.1 Billion on Halloween Sweets
Labor Department figures show candy and gum up 7.7 percent against 3.7 percent overall inflation. The retail federation expects record Halloween spending of $13.5 billion, with shoppers comparing prices more.
Trick-or-treating costs more this year, and Fox News says families plan to buy the candy anyway.
The prices. Candy prices rose 7.7 percent in the year through September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, against overall inflation of 3.7 percent. Fox notes the figure covers candy and chewing gum broadly, not Halloween products only.
The spending. The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend $4.1 billion on candy this year as part of a record $13.5 billion in Halloween spending. Its survey found 96 percent of Halloween shoppers plan to buy sweets.
The shopper response. According to the federation, 31 percent of shoppers plan to compare prices if costs run higher than expected and 26 percent will look for coupons or sales. Allison Zeller, an NRF vice president, said consumers "are also approaching the season with affordability in mind." NIQ's Chris Costagli said shoppers are starting earlier, spreading purchases across more trips and weighing items more carefully.
Last year's pattern. NIQ data cited by Fox show Halloween confectionery sales rose 7.6 percent in 2025 while unit sales fell 2.5 percent, meaning shoppers spent more and took home fewer items. Chocolate had the biggest average unit-price rise among the categories NIQ tracks, at 11.5 percent.
Note for readers: the price figure is the broad candy and gum category, and the spending numbers are industry forecasts and survey results. Fox does not say what is driving the price increase. We covered other grocery and household cost stories this week.