Overview
- U.S. retailers have expanded markdowns on Hershey candy ahead of Halloween after the company raised prices due to cocoa inflation and tariffs, according to Reuters and industry data.
- Datasembly reports that seasonal promotions began earlier, ran deeper, and covered more items, with more than half of Hershey products on sale at a major mass retailer by early October.
- Jefferies, citing Nielsen data, found Hershey among food makers with the largest recent increases in volume sold on promotion in the four weeks ended October 4.
- Circana data show chocolate unit sales were flat in the 12 weeks ended October 5 as prices rose 8%, and value-focused shoppers increased deal-seeking and scrutinized package sizes.
- Non-chocolate Halloween candy volumes rose 8.3% in the same period, and Mondelez said gummies are its U.S. priority as its CEO noted some recent promotions failed to lift volumes.