It might be a bit divisive – you either love it or you don’t – but there’s no more iconic treat to enjoy during the Halloween season than candy corn. And there is no greater debate in American households this time of year than deciding the “right” way to eat candy corn.
Fortunately, the National Confectioners Association recently released the definitive deep dive on how people enjoy this classic treat.
*The following op-ed originally appeared in Morning Consult on October 20, 2021.
This Halloween is going to be a blowout. Retailers are going strong on their Halloween sets with about 27 percent more seasonal items on display per store than in 2020. Consumers are planning to celebrate in a big way, including young parents – 93 percent of whom say they plan to celebrate Halloween this year. And sales of chocolate and candy are up 48 percent over 2020 and nearly 60 percent over 2019.
The 2021 Halloween season is full of excitement, as chocolate and candy sales are up and consumers are ready to maximize their fun during the Halloween season. Retailers are going strong on their Halloween sets, with about 27% more seasonal items per store than in 2020. Consumers are planning to celebrate in a big way, including young parents – 93% of whom say they plan to celebrate Halloween this year. And sales of chocolate and candy are up 48% over 2020 and nearly 60% over 2019.
As summer comes to a close, confectioners and consumers alike are looking forward to our industry’s next big candy moment: Halloween! According to recent research from the National Confectioners Association, an overwhelming 93% of young parents say they have plans to celebrate Halloween this year.
Get those candy bowls ready early because 80% of people say they plan to trick-or-treat in 2021. In 2020, Americans found creative and innovative ways to share chocolate and candy as part of the season – from candy chutes to ziplines to homemade robots.
Are you wondering what Halloween candy to stock up on this year? The National Confectioners Association has revealed Americans’ favorite treats for the 2021 Halloween season.
Over the past few weeks, you may have seen some debate in the policy arena and with public health departments over the status of this year’s Halloween season — will Americans be allowed to celebrate or is Halloween canceled?
Except, it’s not really much of a debate about “if” Halloween is going to happen as much as it is a conversation about “how” people will celebrate the season safely.
Do you open the bag of mini Halloween treats as soon as you get it home from the store? About two-thirds (66%) of people admit to enjoying a few pieces of Halloween chocolate and candy before handing the treats out to trick-or-treaters or using them for other Halloween activities, according to a recent poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the National Confectioners Association.
Public health experts, community leaders, mayors and governors from across the country have joined a growing wave of approval and support for a safe and creative Halloween 2020 that includes Martha Stewart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Whoopi Goldberg. Newspaper editorial boards, government officials, media personalities, parents, and public figures say that we can prioritize safety and still enjoy this fall with all types of Halloween celebrations.
If you are among the 96% of parents who plan to celebrate Halloween this year or the two-thirds of Americans who plan on trick-or-treating with appropriate safety measures, you’ll want to check out this list of the top five ways to celebrate Halloween 2020 with chocolate and candy. Just don’t forget to wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene and follow the guidance issued for your community by the CDC and your local public health departments.
The Halloween season accounts for about $4.6 billion in confectionery sales each year.
96% of parents plan to celebrate Halloween this year.
65% will participate in trick-or-treating.
