Full Breakdown
Record Halloween Spending Faces Rising Costs in 2026
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Record $13.5 B Outlay Amid Higher Prices
On October 26, 2026, the National Retail Federation (NRF) projected Americans will spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween, with $4.1 billion for candy. The forecast is up $400 million from 2025 and $1.9 billion from 2024, averaging $115 per person.
Background & Context
Higher transportation and fuel surcharges are driving up costume and candy costs. Cocoa price spikes in 2024-2025, lingering inventory, climate-related supply constraints in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and U.S. tariffs on cocoa-producing countries keep candy prices elevated.
Data & Statistics
- Total Halloween spending (2026): $13.5 billion
- Candy spending: $4.1 billion (NRF)
- Average per-person spend: $115
- 100-piece candy bag: $16.96 (up 3.5% from 2025) – FinanceBuzz
- Chocolate pack prices: up ~8% YoY – Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute
- Candy price index: +7.7% YoY (BLS) – more than twice overall inflation (3.7%)
- Pumpkin cost: $5.35 each (up from $5.26 in 2025) – Finder
Official Statements & Responses
- Phil Lempert, editor of the Lempert Report, advised shoppers to compare prices online and check price-per-piece metrics.
Criticism & Opposition
Hershey’s faced consumer criticism after altering the recipe of certain Reese’s products to use less chocolate. The company announced it will revert to the original recipes in 2027.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on candy price increases:
- CBS News cites an 8% rise in chocolate prices and a 3.5% YoY increase for a 100-piece bag.
- Fox News reports a 7.7% overall candy price increase, exceeding the 3.7% overall inflation rate.
- Stacker highlights a 71% increase in the cost of a 100-piece bag since 2021.
No single benchmark for “candy price inflation” is provided.
Why It Matters / Impact
Higher costs are reshaping Halloween shopping. About half of shoppers now begin purchasing in September, 31% plan to comparison-shop, and 26% will seek coupons or sales. The outlay also pressures budgets for later holidays, prompting advice to consolidate holiday spending and use high-yield savings accounts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The tariff costs are pretty much baked into the products as opposed to being a surprise like they were last year,” — Cortland Hickey
- “Consumers continue to make Halloween a spending priority, but they are also approaching the season with affordability in mind,” — Allison Zeller, NRF
What’s Next
Analysts expect candy and costume prices to keep rising through 2027 and 2028. Hershey’s recipe reversal may ease some chocolate-related pressure, but fuel costs and cocoa market volatility suggest continued upward pressure on Halloween spending.