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BusinessQuiet 13d · day 19

Americans set to spend record $13.5B on Halloween amid rising candy, costume costs

Cocoa shortages, tariffs, and fuel surcharges push Halloween spending to all-time high as two-thirds of consumers say the holiday has become too expensive.

newest coverage 13d agosummary written 13d ago3 pieces40 likes & upvotes1 comments NewswiresX

What to know

  • Americans are forecast to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, with candy ($4.1B), costumes ($4.4B), and decorations ($4.3B) leading purchases.
  • Chocolate prices are up 8% and gummy candy packs up to 39% compared to last year, driven by global cocoa shortages, tariffs, fuel surcharges, and logistics costs.
  • Two-thirds of consumers say Halloween has become too expensive; the average person expects to spend $263, yet retailers report trick-or-treat participation and candy sales remain resilient.
  • Online Halloween shopping is declining (27% in 2026 vs. 31% in 2025) as consumers shift toward last-minute in-store purchases or face rush shipping premiums.

“Consumers continue to make Halloween a spending priority, but they are also approaching the season with affordability in mind.”

Allison Zeller, National Retail Federation Vice President · CNET ↗

National Retail Federation Industry research organizationCortland Hickey General Manager, Chicago CostumeMondelez Candy manufacturerFerrero Candy manufacturerHershey Company Candy manufacturer

Americans set to spend record $13.5B on Halloween amid rising candy, costume costs
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How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 1 piece in 5h at Oct 26, 10 AM; 3 pieces over 19 days (2 articles · 1 post) Oct 26, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Oct 26, 3 PM — quietOct 26, 8 PM — quietOct 27, 1 AM — quietOct 27, 6 AM — quietOct 27, 11 AM — quietOct 27, 4 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Oct 27, 9 PM — quietOct 28, 2 AM — quietOct 28, 7 AM — quietOct 28, 12 PM — quietOct 28, 5 PM — quietOct 28, 10 PM — quietOct 29, 3 AM — quietOct 29, 8 AM — quietOct 29, 1 PM — quietOct 29, 6 PM — quietOct 29, 11 PM — quietOct 30, 4 AM — quietOct 30, 9 AM — quietOct 30, 2 PM — quietOct 30, 7 PM — quietOct 31, 12 AM — quietOct 31, 5 AM — quietOct 31, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — X 1Oct 31, 3 PM — quietOct 31, 8 PM — quietNov 1, 1 AM — quietNov 1, 5 AM — quietNov 1, 10 AM — quietNov 1, 3 PM — quietNov 1, 8 PM — quietNov 2, 1 AM — quietNov 2, 6 AM — quietNov 2, 11 AM — quietNov 2, 4 PM — quietNov 2, 9 PM — quietNov 3, 2 AM — quietNov 3, 7 AM — quietNov 3, 12 PM — quietNov 3, 5 PM — quietNov 3, 10 PM — quietNov 4, 3 AM — quietNov 4, 8 AM — quietNov 4, 1 PM — quietNov 4, 6 PM — quietNov 4, 11 PM — quietNov 5, 4 AM — quietNov 5, 9 AM — quietNov 5, 2 PM — quietNov 5, 7 PM — quietNov 6, 12 AM — quietNov 6, 5 AM — quietNov 6, 10 AM — quietNov 6, 3 PM — quietNov 6, 8 PM — quietNov 7, 1 AM — quietNov 7, 6 AM — quietNov 7, 11 AM — quietNov 7, 4 PM — quietNov 7, 9 PM — quietNov 8, 2 AM — quietNov 8, 7 AM — quietNov 8, 12 PM — quietNov 8, 5 PM — quietNov 8, 10 PM — quietNov 9, 3 AM — quietNov 9, 8 AM — quietNov 9, 1 PM — quietNov 9, 6 PM — quietNov 9, 11 PM — quietNov 10, 4 AM — quietNov 10, 9 AM — quietNov 10, 2 PM — quietNov 10, 7 PM — quietNov 11, 12 AM — quietNov 11, 5 AM — quietNov 11, 10 AM — quietNov 11, 3 PM — quietNov 11, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quietToday, 12 PM — quietToday, 5 PM — quiet 123
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  1. 3

    NRF releases final 2026 Halloween spending breakdown by category

    The National Retail Federation confirms the $13.5 billion record total: costumes ($4.4B), decorations ($4.3B), and candy ($4.1B). Within costumes, adults account for $2B, children $1.5B, and pets $0.92B.

    • Halloween Shopping, by the numbers: • Costumes $4.4B • Decorations $4.3B • Candy $4.1B Costume Breakdown: • Adults $2B • Children $1.5B • Pets. $0.92B Total 2026 Spend: $13.5B (record) (per NRF)

      @MorningBrewX13d ago40▲view on X ↗
  2. 3 days quiet
  3. 2

    Global cocoa shortage squeezed chocolate supply ahead of Halloween

    Chocolate treats have become especially expensive as a global cocoa shortage tightened the market while candy companies were preparing Halloween shipments. Despite high prices, chocolate remains resilient with 95% of Halloween shoppers planning to purchase candy.

    “Trick-or-treat participation intent is in line with last year. Confection remains a resilient category.”
    — Hershey Company spokesperson
    1. 1 outlet Halloween Candy Prices Take a Scary Bite Out of Shoppers’ Budgets

      first by CNET, 17d ago

  4. 1

    Two-thirds of Americans say Halloween has become too expensive

    A WalletHub survey found that 66% of Americans think Halloween has gotten too expensive. A PwC poll found the average consumer expects to spend about $263, with parents typically spending the most due to multiple Halloween events.

    “The tariff costs are pretty much baked into the products as opposed to being a surprise like they were last year. But now it's the fuel surcharges and the cost of diesel…”
    — Cortland Hickey, General Manager, Chicago Costume · source
    1. 1 outlet Consumers face scarier Halloween costs this year. Here's why.

      first by CBS News, 18d ago

  5. background

    Candy price increases outpace inflation; chocolate rises 8% — Chocolate prices are expected to be 8% higher than last Halloween. A 100-piece bag of assorted Halloween candy costs an average of $16.96 in 2026, up 3.5% from 2025 and 71% higher than in 2021. Mondelez raised gummy candy prices 39% while Ferrero raised chocolate prices nearly 19%.

  6. background

    National Retail Federation forecasts record $13.5B Halloween spending — The NRF projects Americans will spend $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, with $4.1 billion on candy alone. Cocoa costs remain elevated, and shipping and transportation expenses are pushing up treat costs overall.