Your Halloween Candy Will Be Smaller This Year (And Not Just Because of Inflation) Yes, "shrinkflation" is a factor, but it's not the whole story.

By Amanda Breen

Tanja Ivanova | Getty Images

Retailers began stocking Halloween candy in August, and ever since, shoppers have been confronted with an indisputable fact: Portion sizes aren't what they once were.

Part of the shrinkage is due to inflation, The Washington Post reported, but it's also the result of a years-long campaign to reduce the calories in Americans' treats.

Related: 4 Ways to Protect Your Business From Inflation

Also known as "shrinkflation," the phenomenon of goods getting smaller (but not cheaper) isn't new, per CNBC, but it has surged in recent months, impacting the cost of everything from gas to food — and now, Halloween candy.

Food prices have risen 11.4% over the last year, the largest 12-month jump since 1979, but "shrinkflation" isn't the whole story.

Five years ago, major candy companies including Mars Chocolate North America LLC, Nestle USA, WM Wrigley Jr Co, and Lindt & Spruengli joined forces to reduce the calories in their products, Reuters reported, as part of a larger effort to combat the U.S.'s significant rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Today, 85% of chocolate and candy sold comes in packaging that holds 200 calories or fewer per pack, according to The National Confectioners Association.

Related: Is This $100,000 Candy Testing Job for Real?

Commerce data platform Klover, which gathers spending and pricing data using receipts from 4 million users, revealed that a king-size pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups cost 14% more in 2022, and a regular 1.55-ounce Hershey's milk chocolate bar cost 15% more, per The Post.

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Kevin O'Leary Says to 'Survive the Rest of Your Life' You'll Need This Hefty Amount in Your Bank Account

The "Shark Star" explained the concept of passive income based on interest rates.

Growing a Business

6 Signs You Need an Executive Assistant

Executive or virtual assistants perform much more diverse functions than most people realize. Here are six signs you need to hire one.

Business News

George Santos Is Making Six Figures on Cameo, According to a New Report

He's on a path to eclipse his $174,000 Congressional salary.

Growing a Business

Here's How Our Company Tripled in Size By Creating a Culture of Bold Kindness

Here's how we've accelerated the growth of our company and developed our people by creating a culture of bold kindness.

Business News

Amazon Is Offering Students $25 Flights Home for the Holidays

Amazon partnered with StudentUniverse to sell thousands of $25 tickets for Prime Student members.

Business Process

50 Simple Questions to Ask Yourself Before the New Year

These questions, focused on branding and business growth, can help brands capitalize on past events and help you plan for the year ahead.