This Season’s Spookiest SKUs
Candy season is in full swing this year as Halloween-themed chocolate and candy sales surpass pre-pandemic levels. The Halloween candy market has generated $324 million in sales so far, marking a 48% increase compared to the same period last year, according to IRI data of the 8-week period ending October 4, 2021.
“Chocolate and candy sales have come roaring back during the 2021 Halloween season,” National Confectioners Association President & CEO John Downs told NOSH in an email. “Retailers are going strong on Halloween displays this year, with iconic orange and black sets coming back in a big way. Up from 80% in 2020, 87% of people say they will purchase the same amount of – or more – Halloween candy this year. Which all makes sense, because what would the Halloween season be without chocolate and candy?”
The National Retail Federation also found that Americans are looking to make this spooky season “a memorable one” and estimate that Halloween-related item sales will reach $10.14 billion this year. Food brands are taking notice and have launched a wide range of better-for-you Halloween-themed products and limited time packaging along with resurrecting multiple sweet and savory spooky SKUs from past years.
Torie & Howard
Better-for-you candy maker Torie & Howard introduced Halloween Chewie Fruities in six flavors: Meyer Lemon & Raspberry, Pomegranate & Nectarine, Blood Orange & Honey, Sour Berry, Sour Cherry and Sour Apple. The vegan fruit chews feature graveyard-themed packaging and are available in 20-count packs for $7.99 per 8.46oz bag at Rite Aid and online. The company launched an interactive, “fall festivities” website alongside the seasonal product.
The Good Crisp Co.
Savory snacks are also getting in on the spooky celebrations as better-for-you chip brand, The Good Crisp Company, unveils a Halloween-themed tube for its Original flavor. The limited edition ‘creepy crisps’ packaging features black and orange colors decorated with bats and spider webs and is available online in an 8-pack for $32.00.
Reed’s
Ginger company Reed’s debuted a Ginger Candy “Boo Box” for a limited time this season. The “frightfully festive” box contains four, 2 oz. individually wrapped boxes of the brand’s Craft Ginger Chews. The limited-edition theme pack is available exclusively online for $9.99.
Gigantic
Plant-based candy bar maker Gigantic introduced a pumpkin smash flavor for the fall season. The new flavor contains a pumpkin and pecan filling, 7 grams of sugar and is vegan and gluten-free. The dark chocolate coated candy bar is available online in an 8-pack of 1.48 oz. bars for $27.99.
GoGo Squeez
Kid-focused squeezable fruit pouch maker GoGo Squeez released a Halloween-themed variety pack available for a limited time this fall. The box includes an assortment of the brand’s AppleApple, AppleBanana and AppleStrawberry flavors each packaged in spooky-themed squeeze pouches. The variety pack contains 20 pouches and is available online for $13.99 with an additional 10% off with the code HALLOPACK21.
YumEarth
Allergy-friendly candy maker YumEarth introduced a range of organic spooky sweets including Halloween Giggles, Lollipops, Gummy Fruits and Candy Corn, in addition to a seasonal variety pack. YumEarth also recently added fruit chews in Lemon, Orange, Strawberry and Cherry flavors to its permanent lineup. The Halloween-themed line is available online for $7.59 with the giggles, gummy fruits and candy corn packaged in 10-count bags while the lollipops come in a 40-count bag. The variety pack includes a 50-count assortment of the lollipops, gummy fruit and giggles for $24.99.
Skinny Pop
Another food company is embracing spooky, savory snacks this season. SkinnyPop recently introduced a monster-themed bag for its Original popcorn for a limited time. SkinnyPop’s Halloween-themed packaging is intended to be a trick-or-treat sweet alternative and are available in 12-count packs for $6.99 at select retailers nationwide including Target and Walmart.
EnjoyLife
Allergy-friendly confections company EnjoyLife launched Halloween Chocolate Minis made with rice milk chocolate. Although the dairy-free chocolate bars are already sold out, the same Chocolate Minis are still available in its year-round packaging and will return next month in a winter-themed pack, according to the brand’s website. The minis come in a pack containing 18 individually-wrapped squares for $4.99.
Unreal Snacks
Better-for-you chocolate maker Unreal Snacks launched its Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars in Halloween-themed seasonal packaging this month. The sweet treats are available in boxes of 20-count, fun-sized packs online for $28.88 per two boxes. However, the Peanut Butter cup variety is already sold out for the season.
Lily’s
Better-for-you sweets maker Lily’s unveiled a seasonal spooky look for it’s Dark and Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. The limited edition bag exclaims “2 Bites To Die Per Cup” instead of its original “2 Sweet Bites Per Cup” phrasing as well as images of candy corn and bats on front of pack. The peanut butter cups are available for $19.99 per 3-pack of 3.2 oz. bags.
