BLS data shows candy and gum prices running 7.7% above last year, about double overall inflation, since 2019, candy is up 54%

The Lempert Report
October 23, 2026

BLS data shows candy and gum prices running 7.7% above last year, about double overall inflation, since 2019, candy is up 54%

Americans will spend a record $4.1 billion on Halloween candy this year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), up from $3.9 billion in 2025. Regardless of historical high candy prices, 96% of Halloween shoppers say they’ll still buy it in spite of the fact that Bankrate estimates those shoppers will buy roughly 40% less candy by weight than they did in 2020.

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