The economy's frightful, but candy sales are delightful

Despite the spooky state of the economy, shoppers are still shelling out money for Halloween candy.This year, candy sales are expected to top $2.26 billion, according to the National Confectioners Association. That's up from $2.20 billion last year.The reason is simple: People view Halloween as an affordable splurge and something that promotes time with family.Janis Newcomb said that most years, about 100 trick-or-treaters come to her Cary, N.C., home. This year, she spent about $30 on a mix of SweeTarts, Blow Pops and Hershey's chocolate bars."Going with the non-chocolate is a way to save a little more," she said. "But I would have done that anyway because that's what I like to eat."Newcomb said that despite the tightening economy, she didn't consider scaling back.With two daughters, ages 1 and 3, she felt making Halloween special was important, especially as this will be the first year her 3-year-old goes trick-or-treating."She's not a big candy-eater yet," Newcomb said. "We may just do a few houses with her, but it's important to make it fun."Candy makers did hedge their bets this year, adding sugar-free, fat-free and portion-controlled Halloween treats to help boost sales. There are 100-calorie packs of Sour Patch Kids, Jelly Belly candies touting their Vitamin C content, and sugar-free Peeps.At the Whole Foods store in Raleigh, N.C., one of the hottest sellers has been a package of 70 organic lollipops for $4.99."I think people haven't realized there are different options," said store employee Annette White. "I see people really interested in this stuff, but I don't think people necessarily knew they existed."Retailers are just happy to see increasing demand for any product. Even higher-priced gourmet candy is selling on pace with last year, said Joyce Fowler, the chocolate buyer at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, N.C."I feel like we're not going to be left holding anything -- holding the bag, if you will," she said.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)