Overview
- A Groundwork Collaborative and Century Foundation analysis shared with news outlets on Tuesday found average retail Halloween candy prices up about 15% year over year.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics data show cocoa, sugar and corn syrup prices have fallen from 2024 peaks, creating a gap between lower input costs and higher retail prices.
- Analysts point to higher packaging costs linked to metal tariffs, record diesel and shipping price increases and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz as drivers of store prices.
- The report notes that some large confectioners received multi‑million dollar tariff refunds and posted bigger gross margins, while Hershey defended its pricing as reflecting higher overall costs.
- Retailers are running last‑minute sales and shoppers are shifting to bulk buys and cheaper non‑chocolate candy as the National Retail Federation forecasts record Halloween spending, and a LendingTree survey shows many households may use credit to cover costs.