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Halloween candy sales are off to a slow start amid high chocolate prices and affordability concerns

Halloween candy sales are off to a slow start this year as U.S. consumers grapple with high living costs and eye-popping chocolate prices. Halloween candy sales fell 6.7% in the month ending Oct. 17 compared to the same period last year, according to NielsenIQ, a market research firm. The company also noted an 11.7%. decline in candy sales in mid-September, erasing the preseason gains of the previous two years. Chris Costagli, a vice president and food thought leader at NielsenIQ and vice president at Nielsen IQ, attributed high gas prices to consumers' concerns about affordability. The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. was $4.29, up nearly 40% from the previous year. As of September, candy and gum prices were up 44% over a five-year period. Cocoa prices are the main culprits, reaching a record high of $10,710 per metric ton in January 2025 due to poor weather in West Africa and speculative trading in the cocoa futures market. However, the National Conioners Association remains optimistic about Halloween sales.

Halloween candy sales are off to a slow start amid high chocolate prices and affordability concerns

Publicerad : I går förbi DEE-ANN DURBIN, The Associated Press i Business Finance

Halloween candy sales are off to a slow start this year as U.S. consumers grapple with high living costs and eye-popping chocolate prices.

Halloween candy sales fell 6.7% in the month ending Oct. 17 ... [3799 symbols]


Ämnen: Holidays, Halloween

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