Candy sales strong despite pandemic

As some families debate whether it’s safe for kids to go trick- or- treating, and entire communities cancel their trick- ortreat nights altogether over concerns around the coronavirus, Halloween candy sales appear to be unfazed by the uncertainty.

In fact, sales are up compared to this time a year ago.

“There’s a lot of pent- up demand to celebrate the holidays,” said Mark Schlott, chief operating officer for West Readingbased chocolate manufacturer R. M. Palmer Co.

For the eight weeks businesses consider Halloween season, candy chocolate sales are up 9% nationally compared to 2019, and unit sales are up 10%, according to Schlott.

Earlier reports measured the figures even higher. The National

Confectioners Association had Halloween candy sales up by 13%, and chocolate sales specifi cally up 25% at the beginning of the season, which can provide a snapshot of enthusiasm levels.

“Sales are up, and up pretty signifi cantly,” said Christopher Gindlesperger, senior vice president of public aff airs and communications for the association. “If tradition holds, we anticipate a really strong close to the season.”

The association also reported candy sales up 17% in the grocery segment.

“Thus far, our seasonal sales of candy and other Halloweenthemed items have not been negatively aff ected by the pandemic and are tracking as we planned,” said Eric B. White, spokesman for Redner’s Markets.

‘ More important than ever’

The general consensus in the industry is that whether or not kids go door- to- door in their neighborhoods, people are still excited for Halloween.

That’s not only refl ected in sales, but public opinion.

The Harris Poll found 74% of millennial moms and young parents think Halloween is “more important than ever” this year, while 80% of all people in a September association survey with Morning Consult said they plan to fi nd safe ways to celebrate the holiday — up from 63% in July.

“We’ve all been through so much and I think everyone is looking forward to Halloween to add some normalcy,” said Schlott, adding there are ways to celebrate within CDC guidance on COVID- 19.

Gindlesperger concurred, sharing anecdotes about some of the innovative methods people are devising to socially distance while still dispersing candy to trick- ortreaters, rigging up candy chutes, Roomba vacuums, even drones.

ANDREW KULP — MEDIANEWS GROUP PHOTO R. M. Palmer in Reading has an array of Halloween candies, sales of which are strong despite any concerns over trick- or- treating in a pandemic.