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

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A shopper walks by a Halloween candy display at a Giant grocery store, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, in Dundalk, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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By DEE-ANN DURBIN

Updated 11:10 AM EDT, October 24, 2026

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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.…