ShareThisDespite 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.)
The economy's frightful, but candy sales are delightful
Submitted by SHNS on Thu, 10/23/2008 - 14:37
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