Halloween gets pricier as chocolate costs climb — Hershey may feel the pinch

Halloween shopping got costlier this year as higher prices hit everything from the candy bowl to the pumpkin on your front porch. It's not only rough on consumers, but may also hit companies like Hershey . Americans are expected to spend $13.5 billion on Halloween, up from last year's record $13.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation . "Consumers continue to make Halloween a spending priority, but they are also approaching the season with affordability in mind," said Allison Zeller, NRF vice president of industry and consumer insights. Inflation is rippling through everything from candy to costumes. Pumpkins are costlier too. The average retail price reached $5.36 this year, up 11% from September 2020, according to the U.S.