More Tricks, Fewer Treats

 That is what Almost Daily Grant's is predicting for Halloween this year. Candy prices are up by 13% compared to last year, the largest annual increase on record. Because of general inflation, households are expected to decrease their total spending on candy. As explained in its commentary:

Talk about a sugar high.  Citing data from the Labor Department, The Wall Street Journal relays that candy prices are up 13% from a year ago, the largest one-year increase on record, owing to galloping labor costs along with flour and sugar prices.

 

Consumers are responding to those surging costs with a modest downshift, as the National Retail Federation reckons that households will average $100 in Halloween-related spending this year. That’s down from last year’s $103 outlay. 

 

More tricks, fewer treats: it’s a type of hedonic adjustment.

Spending slightly less on candy when its price is higher, means fewer units are purchased, so the kiddies will have less to enjoy.