Editorial: The affordability crisis' latest victim? Halloween candy

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune on Oct 28, 2026

Published in Op Eds

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Even Halloween candy isn’t immune to the affordability crisis, making one of America’s little luxuries just a little more painful ahead of this holiday weekend.

Consumer prices for sugary treats and chewing gum have risen more than 50% since September 2019, including 7.7% in the past year alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Mariano’s this week advertised a 140-count bag of mini Hershey’s candies, including Reese’s, Kit Kats, Twizzlers and Jolly Ranchers, for $34.99.

$34.99! For a bag of candy that won’t last very long in rush-hour trick-or-treat traffic.

At 25 cents per piece, it’d cost $50 to give one tiny piece of candy to 200 kids. In many family-oriented city neighborhoods and suburbs, 200 is nowhere near enough. And for families who leave out the bucket while they take their own little hobgoblins door to door, we expect the “Take 2” signs to be crossed out in place of “Take 1.”

Or maybe: “Nothing to see or eat here, kids. Move on down the road, Thomas the Tank Engine.”

As a result of these high costs, candy sales are sluggish, falling 6.7% in the month ending Oct. 17 compared with the same time last year, The Associated Press reported. Of course, prices are going up for everyday essentials like gas and groceries, eating into families’ candy budgets. Maybe shoppers are simply dragging their feet to get their haul, but we suspect Halloween candy is yet another indicator of financial strain in household budgets.

Now, much as budget-conscious shoppers hunt for gas stations with the best price per gallon, a new breed of Halloween candy bargain hunters is on the hunt for low-priced trick-or-treat supplies.

Another wrinkle in the candy story is shrinkflation. BLS noted that candy and chewing gum were among the products most affected by “downsizing” — smaller portions — in recent years.

Augustus Gloop would be beside himself.

In addition to the lighter candy bags, exorbitant candy prices could also prompt the resurgence of apples and toothbrushes (seriously) as treats, or tiny trinkets instead of candy. Consider: It’s cheaper to buy a 42-count package of mini Play-Doh on Amazon than to buy a bag of chocolate. At those prices, why not mix a few toys in with the sweets? Dentists likely are champing at the bit, ready and willing to substitute some dental floss for a slab of chocolate.

Much like the Whos down in Whoville kept the spirit of Christmas alive in spite of the Grinch’s gift-stealing gambit, Halloween revelers can surely find ways to enjoy merriment on Saturday.

But those coveted full-size candy bars? Good luck finding those this year, kids.

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