What Hershey’s Figures and a Weaker Halloween Mean for the Industry, While Volatility in the Markets Remain

While Hershey acknowledges disappointing Halloween sales so far in the US, the company still upped its annual outlook thanks to price hikes, with overall outlook remaining cautiously optimistic, supported by strong pricing and broader snacking demand. 

Complete data for the season is still to trickle in, but indicators are that the US Halloween/candy market looks robust in spending terms - however, beneath the surface lies a more complex story of inflation, consumer value focus, and structural shifts in candy format preference.