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Got it  Edition   CA    NY        Open Food & Drink navigation Lifestyle  (https://nypost.com/lifestyle/) Lifestyle  (https://nypost.com/weird-but-true/) Weird But True  (https://nypost.com/health/) Health  (https://nypost.com/sex-and-relationships/) Sex & Relationships  (https://nypost.com/viral-trends/) Viral Trends  (https://nypost.com/human-interest/) Human Interest  (https://nypost.com/astrology/) Astrology  (https://nypost.com/parenting/) Parenting  (https://nypost.com/fashion-and-beauty/) Fashion & Beauty  (https://nypost.com/food-and-drink/) Food & Drink  (https://nypost.com/shopping/) Shopping  (https://nypost.com/travel/) Travel    (https://nypost.com/lifestyle/) Lifestyle  (https://nypost.com/weird-but-true/) Weird But True  (https://nypost.com/health/) Health  (https://nypost.com/sex-and-relationships/) Sex & Relationships  (https://nypost.com/viral-trends/) Viral Trends  (https://nypost.com/human-interest/) Human Interest  (https://nypost.com/astrology/) Astrology  (https://nypost.com/parenting/) Parenting  (https://nypost.com/fashion-and-beauty/) Fashion & Beauty  (https://nypost.com/food-and-drink/) Food & Drink  (https://nypost.com/shopping/) Shopping  (https://nypost.com/travel/) Travel         Search  (Type to Search)  Search    trending now in Lifestyle Skip to main content (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/decades-old-frozen-pizza-brand-ends-production-leaving-fans-nostalgic/) (Decades-old frozen pizza brand ends production, leaving fans nostalgic)  Decades-old frozen pizza brand ends production, leaving fans...    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/meijer-beats-buc-ees-to-become-americas-favorite-convenience-store/) (Buc-ee’s bucked from no. 1 spot as America’s favorite convenience store)  Buc-ee’s bucked from no. 1 spot as America’s favorite...    (https://nypost.com/2025/09/24/lifestyle/passenger-pays-for-extra-legroom-gets-blocked-by-family/) (Enraged plane passenger shocked at oblivious family’s behavior ‘almost the entire flight’)  Enraged plane passenger shocked at oblivious family’s...    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/major-us-airport-ridiculed-as-most-stressful-for-travelers-report/) (Major US airport ridiculed as ‘most stressful’ for travelers: report)  Major US airport ridiculed as ‘most stressful’ for...    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/the-cost-of-halloween-candy-spiked-71-in-5-years-consider-these-boo-dget-swaps/) (The cost of Halloween candy spiked 71% in 5 years — consider a few boo-dget swaps)  The cost of Halloween candy spiked 71% in 5 years — consider a...    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/walmart-ceo-speaks-out-on-dynamic-pricing-again-after-watchdog-calls-out-controversial-shelf-tag-tech/) (Walmart exec speaks out on dynamic pricing again after watchdog calls out controversial electronic shelf tag patent)  Walmart exec speaks out on dynamic pricing again after watchdog...    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/im-30-and-ive-never-had-a-boyfriend-why-more-women-are-struggling-to-find-love/) (Meet the young women who have ditched serious dating: ‘I don’t know how I would function in a romantic relationship’)  Meet the young women who have ditched serious dating: ‘I...    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/07/lifestyle/dear-abby-two-of-my-sons-have-inappropriately-touched-my-daughter/) (Dear Abby: Two of my sons have inappropriately touched my daughter)  Dear Abby: Two of my sons have inappropriately touched my daughter                     (https://nypost.com/food-and-drink/) Food & Drink   The cost of Halloween candy spiked 71% in 5 years — consider a few boo-dget swaps  By (https://nypost.com/author/reda-wigle/) Reda Wigle  and  (https://nypost.com/author/andrea-palladino/) Andrea Palladino    Published  Oct. 8, 2026, 4:09 p.m. ET      See more of our coverage in your search results.        Make New York Post a Preferred Source           ()    Trick or cheat.  As (https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-halloween-survey-shows-consumer-spending-expected-to-reach-13-5-billion) 74% of Americans prepare for spooky season, new research is warning Halloween candy shoppers to brace for another jump scare: horrifyingly high prices. A recent study (https://financebuzz.com/halloween-candy-inflation-study) by Finance Buzz found that the cost of filling the candy bowl has climbed 71% since 2021—more than triple the national inflation rate of 22%. (Interactive or visual content)   (Open a slideshow of all 4 article images.) (An adult treats children in Halloween costumes with sweets outdoors.)  4     New research suggests Halloween could be considerably less sweet and frighteningly more expensive this year. Konstantin Yuganov – stock.adobe.com    Researchers analyzed bulk Halloween candy prices at four major supermarkets — Walmart, Target, Kroger and Albertsons — from 2021 through 2026, comparing price increases with annual inflation rates and calculating the average cost per piece. For perspective, a 100-piece bag of assorted Halloween candy averages $16.96 this year, up 3.5% from last year and $7.05 over the past 5 years. Explore More  (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/decades-old-frozen-pizza-brand-ends-production-leaving-fans-nostalgic/) (A close-up of a Margherita pizza being sliced with a pizza cutter.)    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/decades-old-frozen-pizza-brand-ends-production-leaving-fans-nostalgic/) Decades-old frozen pizza brand ends production, leaving fans nostalgic      (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/meijer-beats-buc-ees-to-become-americas-favorite-convenience-store/) (Collage of a Buc-ee's store and a Meijer Grocery store.)    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/meijer-beats-buc-ees-to-become-americas-favorite-convenience-store/) Buc-ee’s bucked from no. 1 spot as America’s favorite convenience store      (https://nypost.com/2025/09/24/lifestyle/passenger-pays-for-extra-legroom-gets-blocked-by-family/) (plane passenger)    (https://nypost.com/2025/09/24/lifestyle/passenger-pays-for-extra-legroom-gets-blocked-by-family/) Enraged plane passenger shocked at oblivious family’s behavior ‘almost the entire flight’            Recent price hikes make up a significant portion of the overall surge. Between 2023 and 2026, the cost of a 100-piece candy bag jumped by $5.05 ($2.45 in 2024, $2.34 in 2025, and $0.57 in 2026), compared to just $1.70 between 2021 and 2023. Overall, Halloween candy inflation over the last three years was nearly triple that of the preceding two-year stretch. Per unit, each piece of candy now costs a customer roughly 17 cents. (Open a slideshow of all 4 article images.) (A yellow bag of 75-piece Halloween candy with a Target receipt showing a total of $20.68.)  4     A 75-piece bag of Halloween candy bought at Target in Times Square costs $20.68 Brian Zak/NY Post   (Open a slideshow of all 4 article images.) (A blue jumbo pack of Mars fun size chocolate candy with a CVS pharmacy receipt showing a total of $23.40.)  4     A bag of Halloween candy purchased at CVS in New York City costs $23.40. Brian Zak/NY Post   In New York City, candy customers are primed to pony up even more.  A 75-piece bag of Halloween candy at Target in Times Square costs $20.68, or 28 cents per piece, meaning Gothamites pay more for less candy.  Elsewhere in Times Square, price gouging continues: a 100-piece variety pack costs $23.40 at CVS, and a 150-piece assortment at Walgreens comes in at $30. One explanation for peak Halloween candy prices is the cost of (https://nypost.com/2024/02/08/business/hershey-announces-job-cuts-after-high-cocoa-costs-hurt-candy-sales/) cocoa, which has risen sharply in recent years because of environmental factors and (https://nypost.com/2025/04/17/world-news/ivory-coast-cocoa-farmers-worried-over-trumps-tariff-plans/) supply problems in Ghana and the Ivory Coast , reaching a record high of $12,000 per ton in 2024. In addition to volatile cocoa costs, other key ingredients have risen. (Open a slideshow of all 4 article images.) (A receipt from Duane Reade showing a total of $32.65 for Halloween candy is shown next to a large bag of mixed miniature candy bars.)  4     A 150-piece assortment of Halloween candy at a NYC Walgreens costs $29.99 before tax. Brian Zak/NY Post   While sugar has fallen, vegetable oil, a controversial alternative to cocoa butter, has risen alongside labor, energy, packaging, and transportation costs. Experts note that the plastic packaging that enshrouds most candy, including chocolate, is made from petrochemicals derived from oil and natural gas. Experts predict Americans will spend (https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-halloween-survey-shows-consumer-spending-expected-to-reach-13-5-billion) a record amount on spooky season this year, with consumer spending expected to reach $13.5 billion. With (https://nypost.com/2026/04/02/business/dow-futures-fall-600-points-us-oil-surges-after-trump-vows-to-hit-iran-extremely-hard-in-coming-weeks/) war raging in the Middle East , packaging manufacturers have warned that “unprecedented disruptions” to resin supplies may have led to price increases.  See Also  (https://nypost.com/article/what-halloween-candy-are-you-based-on-your-zodiac-sign/) (Halloween candy)    halloween   (https://nypost.com/article/what-halloween-candy-are-you-based-on-your-zodiac-sign/) Halloween 2026: What Halloween candy are you based on your zodiac sign?        Some experts in the field of candy consumerism — that is, cash-strapped parents on the Internet — have previously shared some key strategies for your holiday boo-dget   The health-conscious go for less sinful sweet treats, such as this (https://r.nypostlink.com?btn_ref=org-19984c113c692001&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoney-Sticks-Clover-Blossom-Straws%2Fdp%2FB0187T5AHS%3Ftag%3Dnypost-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2F2026%2F10%2F08%2Flifestyle%2Fthe-cost-of-halloween-candy-spiked-71-in-5-years-consider-these-boo-dget-swaps%2F%26asc_source%3Dweb) 100-count bag of honey stick s for $20, putting the price per unit at 20 cents, or a salty snack like (https://r.nypostlink.com?btn_ref=org-19984c113c692001&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHalloween-Pretzels-Individually-Treating-Lunchboxes%2Fdp%2FB0FQ3F95MQ%2F%3Ftag%3Dnypost-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2F2026%2F10%2F08%2Flifestyle%2Fthe-cost-of-halloween-candy-spiked-71-in-5-years-consider-these-boo-dget-swaps%2F%26asc_source%3Dweb) pumpkin- and bat-shaped pretzel bags , a 70-pack of which costs just $25, or 35 cents per piece.  With the aid of a Sharpie marker, Mandarin oranges make a perfect facsimile of a jack-o’-lantern. A 3-pound bag of mandarin oranges (like Halos or Cuties) contains around 30 fruits and usually costs $5 to $7. Themed knick-knacks are creative and sugar-free alternatives: A (https://r.nypostlink.com?btn_ref=org-19984c113c692001&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPack-Sticks-Party-Bright-Supplies%2Fdp%2FB0834TMXF2%3Ftag%3Dnypost-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2F2026%2F10%2F08%2Flifestyle%2Fthe-cost-of-halloween-candy-spiked-71-in-5-years-consider-these-boo-dget-swaps%2F%26asc_source%3Dweb) 500-pack of glow sticks costs $26, (https://r.nypostlink.com?btn_ref=org-19984c113c692001&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHalloween-Toddlers-Assorted-Stduents-Classroom%2Fdp%2FB09ZHYRNT2%2F%3Ftag%3Dnypost-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2F2026%2F10%2F08%2Flifestyle%2Fthe-cost-of-halloween-candy-spiked-71-in-5-years-consider-these-boo-dget-swaps%2F%26asc_source%3Dweb) a pack of 100 Halloween pencils costs $19, and (https://r.nypostlink.com?btn_ref=org-19984c113c692001&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAssorted-Halloween-Temporary-including-Supplies%2Fdp%2FB08CVQNWX8%2F%3Ftag%3Dnypost-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2F2026%2F10%2F08%2Flifestyle%2Fthe-cost-of-halloween-candy-spiked-71-in-5-years-consider-these-boo-dget-swaps%2F%26asc_source%3Dweb) 300 glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoos are a bargain at $7. Spider rings, plastic vampire fangs and glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls are also staple party favors, ranging from $5 to $8 for bags of 100+ pieces.  Budget-conscious buyers can also create a “choice bowl” by mixing a small amount of traditional candy with a large amount of cheap toys or glow sticks, and inviting kids to pick one item.   Filed under (https://nypost.com/tag/candy/) candy   (https://nypost.com/tag/exclusive/) exclusive   (https://nypost.com/tag/halloween/) halloween   (https://nypost.com/tag/inflation/) inflation   (https://nypost.com/tag/study-says/) study says   (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/) 10/8/26    (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/decades-old-frozen-pizza-brand-ends-production-leaving-fans-nostalgic/) Read Next  (https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/lifestyle/decades-old-frozen-pizza-brand-ends-production-leaving-fans-nostalgic/) Decades-old frozen pizza brand ends production, leaving fa...               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New research suggests Halloween could be considerably less sweet and frighteningly more expensive this year. Konstantin Yuganov - stock.adobe.com   (A yellow bag of 75-piece Halloween candy with a Target receipt showing a total of $20.68.)   A 75-piece bag of Halloween candy bought at Target in Times Square costs $20.68 Brian Zak/NY Post   (A blue jumbo pack of Mars fun size chocolate candy with a CVS pharmacy receipt showing a total of $23.40.)   A bag of Halloween candy purchased at CVS in New York City costs $23.40. Brian Zak/NY Post   (A receipt from Duane Reade showing a total of $32.65 for Halloween candy is shown next to a large bag of mixed miniature candy bars.)   A 150-piece assortment of Halloween candy at a NYC Walgreens costs $29.99 before tax. 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