Michael Robards, a Fairmount resident of eight years, said he and his family are buying less brand-name candy for trick-or-treaters. He said two years ago he would have been more likely to buy popular brands in fun-sized bags. His wife, Michelle, said she shopped at Costco in early October and bought items in bulk, including Rice Krispies treats at a lower price.
Chicago-based market research firm NielsenIQ tracked Halloween candy shopping in a series of reports. It said shoppers prioritized chocolate in August but changed their preferences as prices rose. By October, shoppers chose smaller packages and other products. The firm reported that chocolate sales fell 7.2% in October, confectionery sales fell 5.3%, and Halloween-themed candy sales fell 6.7%.
NielsenIQ's latest report showed confection sales fell 13% this year, even though prices dropped 4.2%. Sales grew 21% during the same period last year.