Halloween candy sales are spiking as trick-or-treating hangs in the balance

Like many things in 2020, Halloween may look a little different this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deemed trick-or-treating a “high-risk” activity, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from stocking up on Halloween candy — sales are surging.

Halloween candy sales spiked 13% for the four weeks leading up to Sept. 6 compared to the same period in 2019, according to the National Confectioners Association.

Chocolate sales, especially, soared, seeing a 25% increase in sales.

The NCA attributes the candy surge to grocery store sales, which are up a cool 17% compared to last year.

“More stores have started Halloween displays earlier — most have moved up their displays two to four weeks earlier,” Phil Stanley, global chief sales officer for Hershey, told CNN, adding that putting out Halloween displays earlier can lead to more sales.

Halloween accounts for about 10% of the chocolate giant’s annual sales, CNN reported. Among the most popular items? Packs of assorted “fun-size” candies.

“The category is very resilient in this COVID-19 environment in that people are looking for simple pleasures and a little escape and enjoyment in their day to day,” Stanley told the outlet.

Ferrara Candy Co., maker of Brach’s Candy Corn, saw “online demand” for its sweets three months earlier than it usually does, The Associated Press reported. The company said that some stores also requested earlier shipments.

Candymaker Mars said it would be selling customized bags “to cover all the bases because each market is going to celebrate a little bit differently,” according to the AP. CVS told the outlet it’s cutting down on how many large bags of candy it will receive and Target said it is cutting back its candy offerings, as well, the AP reported. They will shift to quantities that can satisfy a household rather than feed a neighborhood.

Cassandra Ambrosius from Wisconsin said her family first bought Halloween candy when they noticed it was out in early September, adding that they have plans to buy more in the hope that those in her neighborhood will be able to trick-or-treat safely, the AP reported.

“I’m sure people are just excited for a little sense of normalcy,” Ambrosius told the outlet.

While some cities have canceled trick-or-treating events or suspended the activity altogether, people across the U.S. are getting creative in the hope of keeping with the beloved tradition — but also keeping it safe.

Matt Thompson, a woodworker in Michigan, made a zipline from his home to the sidewalk that delivers candy — and beer — to trick-or-treaters and their chaperones. He called it his “solution for a socially distanced Halloween.”

Andrew Beattie, a dad in Ohio, fashioned a “candy chute” from a cardboard tube attached to a handrail to easily and safely slide candy out to visitors. He placed a ghost at the bottom of the chute with a sign telling trick-or-treaters to “place buckets here.”

“Ultimately, I wanted it to be something that encourages folks to get creative with ways to stay safe,” Beattie told USA Today. He said he hopes it will help people to safely celebrate Halloween. “Our country needs that right now,” he said.

This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 6:53 AM with the headline "Halloween candy sales are spiking as trick-or-treating hangs in the balance."