Core Insights - American retailers are increasing discounts on Hershey products ahead of Halloween due to price hikes from tariffs and cocoa inflation [1][2] - Hershey is among the food makers with the largest increase in discounted goods sold, as reported by Jeffries [2] - The overall chocolate candy sales per unit remained flat despite an 8% price increase, indicating potential challenges for Hershey [5] Pricing and Sales Trends - The cost of chocolate has surged nearly 30% since last Halloween and is up almost 78% from five years ago [6] - A 100-piece bag of assorted Halloween candy now averages $16.39, a significant increase from $9.19 in 2020 [6] - Nearly 80% of Halloween shoppers expect to pay more this year, reflecting broader inflationary pressures [11] Market Response - Experts attribute rising cocoa prices to a global shortage linked to poor harvests and climate changes in West Africa [9] - Candy makers are adapting by shrinking product sizes and introducing new varieties, including fruit-flavored and cocoa-free options [9] - Hershey's CEO indicated that the company is experiencing disappointing Halloween sales and plans to adjust its seasonal product and marketing strategies [5]