People buying Halloween candy frightened by the sticker shock; sales down
People buying Halloween candy frightened by the sticker shock; sales down
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Shaquira Speaks Sun, October 25, 2026 at 3:35 AM UTC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- Economists say that Halloween candy prices are up 8 percent, and people we talked to say they feel tricked when they're buying their treats.
"I want to buy the stuff the kids like," Jaime Clementson said.
But this Halloween, giving out the good stuff could cost you more.From higher prices to smaller packages, shoppers are finding their Halloween budgets don't stretch as far as they used to.
"I was there probably in the store for 20 minutes trying to piece together, how can I stay under $30, and just get some candy they'll actually like," said Clementson. "And there has to be something there I like, too."
"Usually we go to Aldi, a Lidl or something and try," said Scotty Voelker. "Usually, they have a little bit better prices or something like that."
And there's a reason shoppers are feeling the pinch.Government data shows candy prices have climbed 44 percent over the past five years — outpacing overall inflation.
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"Candy is, in a lot of ways, an indicator of how everything else is going," said Emily DiVito with Groundwork Collaborative. "People are buying a lot of candy this time of year because it is almost Halloween. But prices are rising just as quickly for grocery staples, for gas, for diesel, for energy, for health care."
Those higher prices may already be changing shopping habits.Market research firm Nielsen IQ reports Halloween candy sales fell nearly 7 percent in the month ending Oct. 17, compared to the same period last year.Economists say that could be a warning sign for the holiday shopping season ahead.
"That household budget really determines what it is we're going to buy," said Michael Blanco, Charlotte's Economic Club President. "Halloween, Christmas, Christmas gifts, things like that, those are outside our routine spending. If my budget doesn't change for those items, what am I going to get for the same dollar that I got last year?"
While Halloween may be the latest example, some economic advocates say the bigger question is what's driving those prices higher.
"We really view this as a way for people to kind of connect the dots. Like prices don't rise out of nowhere," said DiVito. "This is a combination of factors that folks should hold their elected officials, certainly this administration and the corporations that are producing all of these goods accountable."
For families trying to keep the Halloween tradition alive, the trick this year may be finding treats that don't break the bank.
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Source: “AOL Money”
