Soaring cost of Halloween treats spooks shoppers

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHalloween chocolate costs fifteen and a half percent more than last year, even though cocoa itself has dropped by about half.

2. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the one-sentence version is that your trick-or-treat budget just got a promotion, and nobody asked the budget.

3. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe BBC reports that the price of candy, especially chocolate, is up, and bargain hunters are searching for deals to cut costs.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhat's the actual number for a regular person standing in the aisle?

5. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorNBC News says Halloween chocolate packages averaged five dollars and sixty-seven cents each.

6. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd candy and gum overall are up eight point one percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

7. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI'd call that a seasonal pricing enhancement.

8. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOkay, but how did we get here? Why is it so pricey?

9. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorCocoa shot above ten thousand dollars a metric ton several times between mid-twenty twenty-four and early twenty twenty-five, then fell through early this year, ABC Seventeen News says.

10. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo it came down. Where's my refund?

11. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorPwC's Ali Furman says the lower costs won't reach shelves this Halloween. The savings are, shall we say, still in transit.

12. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIn transit. Like a package that says delivered and isn't on my porch.

13. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWho's feeling this most?

14. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnybody buying a big bag for the porch. Ferrero's chocolate packs got nearly nineteen percent more expensive, American Bazaar reports.

15. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThough NIQ found Halloween-specific chocolate up just one point seven percent, while chocolate overall rose nine point four.

16. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the spooky chocolate is cheaper than the regular chocolate? Is anybody checking this?

17. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBoth are true. Different baskets, same receipt.

18. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd what are people doing about it?

19. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBuying less. CNBC says Halloween chocolate dollar sales fell seven point two percent over nine weeks. The industry calls that disciplined enthusiasm.

20. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMeanwhile the National Retail Federation expects four point one billion dollars on candy, up from three point nine.

21. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo we spend more to hand out fewer. That's commitment.

22. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhat happens next? Does this get better?

23. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWells Fargo Agri-Food estimates chocolate will run about eight percent higher than last Halloween. Cheaper cocoa is coming, just not for today's doorbell.

24. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe price has not gone up, Chip. It has been promoted.