The Best Time to Buy Halloween Candy for Maximum Savings
Halloween is creeping up fast, and the big question isn’t what costume to wear, but when to buy that giant bag of candy without spending a fortune. Stores start pushing spooky merch as early as August, but stocking up too soon might scare your wallet more than any haunted house. Timing your candy purchase can make a big difference.
Prices Go Bump in the Night
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According to Ibotta research, candy prices drop to their lowest in the last week of October, with the savings peaking around October 27. That’s the magic window before demand surges and prices spike again right before Halloween night. Shoppers who wait until October 30 or 31 often pay extra since retailers know procrastinators are desperate to fill their candy bowls.
The National Retail Federation reports that Americans are spending an average of $114 per person on Halloween this year, totaling $13.1 billion nationwide. This includes candy, costumes, and decorations, but with inflation haunting everyone’s budget, those sweet treats feel more like luxury items. In fact, 57% of Americans say the rising price of chocolate is changing how much they spend, and about 35% admit that candy costs are higher this year than before.
Tricks to Save on Treats
The key to avoiding inflated prices is strategy. Around 38% of shoppers hunt for coupons, store sales, or bulk deals. Retailers like Costco are favorites for thrifty shoppers; they offer Kirkland’s Signature 150-piece bags that deliver the most candy for the least cash. Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS usually slash prices on mixed candy bags by up to 50% during the last week of October.
Some people plan even earlier; 22% of Americans buy candy before October to spread out the cost, while 31% confess to buying extra so that they can eat it themselves. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many households end up with leftover candy that lasts well past Thanksgiving, while others run out before sunset. For those in GoPuff delivery areas, Mars Incorporated offers a fun backup: their M&M’s Halloween Rescue Squad delivers candy refills in under an hour on Halloween night to save last-minute hosts from running dry.
Candy Favorites and Sweet Takeaways
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Curious about what everyone’s searching for this year? According to PriceListo.com, Ferrero Rocher is the most popular candy in the country, topping searches in 18 states, including Massachusetts. Close behind are classics like Oreo, Hershey’s, Candy Corn, Three Musketeers, Snickers, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.