Soaring cost of Halloween treats spooks shoppers
The price of candy, especially chocolate, is up, and Halloween bargain hunters are searching for deals and ways to cut costs.
By BBC News
Halloween shoppers are facing higher prices for sweets and chocolate, with families looking for bargains before trick-or-treaters arrive.
Research cited by the BBC found that popular Halloween chocolate and confectionery cost 15.3% more in 2026 than in 2025. Separate figures from personal finance firm FinanceBuzz put the increase over the past five years at 71%, well above the general rate of price rises.
One shopper told the BBC he expected to spend between $20 and $30 (£15 and £23) on treats, compared with his usual $15 to $20 (£11 to £15). He was looking for bargains at a Target store in Manhattan.
The figures are from the United States and do not provide a specific price comparison for shops in Cheshire. However, UK shoppers are also being encouraged to compare prices and consider supermarket promotions when buying Halloween treats.
A separate comparison of Halloween sweets and chocolate at nine major UK supermarkets found Lidl had the lowest average price, at £8.51 per kilogram. Asda was next at £8.61, followed by Aldi at £11.03.
The comparison, based on listed prices checked on 7 October, found the highest average price at M&S, where Halloween confectionery cost £16.26 per kilogram. Product ranges differed between retailers, so the figures are not a direct comparison of identical baskets.
Families preparing for Halloween can also reduce costs by comparing prices by weight rather than pack size and checking promotional offers before buying.