Claims extracted
20
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
40%
8 of 20 hedged
("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
Leans left
of the writing, not the subject · beta estimate
Publisher signals
68/100
BBC News's corrections and
hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
1
Economy/Business
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
- Published
Halloween shoppers in the US seeking sweet relief this spooky season have instead been shocked by the high price of seasonal treats, as cost of living pressures continue to bite.
Demetrio Beltres, a 33-year-old financial adviser searching for Halloween bargains for trick or treaters said he was spending more than his usual $15 (£11) to $20 this year because prices were much higher.
"I'm trying to spend at least $20 to $30 just to make sure that I get the kids something," he said, while browsing the rows of colour options at a Target in Manhattan.
A lot of people are finding they are in the same boat as Demetrio this year.
Stephen Zagor, adjunct associate professor at Columbia Business School, said people have only so much to spend, and when everyday essentials are costing more, people may feel less inclined to make this the most extravagant Halloween.
uncertain
this → publish → more
"I think the holiday's gotten scary, more from an economic [perspective], than it might be for scaring people at the door," he said.
uncertain
he → think → door
Analysis from left-leaning non-profit Groundwork Collaborative and the Century Foundation found the cost of popular Halloween chocolates and confectionery was 15.3% higher this year than in 2025.
asserted
cost → lean → 2025
Separate research from personal finance firm Finance Buzz found prices for Halloween treats have soared by 71% over the past five years - a much bigger increase than the general pace of price rises over the same period.
asserted
prices → find → period
The price of confectionery generally has been pushed up thanks to higher cocoa prices.
asserted
price → push → prices
The cost of a tonne of cocoa skyrocketed to a high of more than $10,700 in January 2025, according to figures from the International Monetary Fund via the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, as climate change contributed to severe weather which affected supplies.
"The cocoa that is now being consumed was bought when the prices were high," said Zagor, who specialises in food businesses.
uncertain
who → skyrocket → businesses
Cost of living pressures have also increased, with inflation running at 3.7%, and fuel prices remain high.
asserted
prices → increase → %
Diesel, at $6.32 a gallon, is only 20 cents below the record reached in September.
asserted
Diesel → reach → September
People shopping for Halloween treats in New York were noticing the price pressures.
asserted
People → shop → pressures
"Everything is expensive, so it does not surprise me that Halloween candy is expensive too," said Mallory, who declined to give her last name.
asserted
who → surprise → name
The combined cost of living pressures have affected how much people are buying in the run up to the holiday, according to consumer and market research company Nielsen IQ.
uncertain
people → combine → IQ
It found Halloween treat sales were down 11.7% by the middle of September, and by the middle of October sales were down 6.7%.
asserted
sales → find → October
Chris Costagli, NielsenIQ's vice-president of US food thought leadership, said shoppers appeared more willing to spend as Halloween neared, but remained cautious.
asserted
Halloween → say → leadership
"Sales have improved considerably from where we started in September, with smaller packs gaining ground while larger sizes continue to struggle," he said.
asserted
he → improve → ground
"This feels like a consumer who still wants the occasion, but is paying much closer attention to what goes into the basket.
asserted
what → feel → basket
"
How to make Halloween feel special without blowing the budget
Zagor, who is a fan of Halloween as well as traditional Halloween treats, said cutting back on costs, could present a good opportunity to offer trick or treaters a different kind of experience when they come to your door.
uncertain
they → make → door
"It could be how you present the candy when kids come to your house as much as the one piece of candy that you're going to give," he said.
uncertain
he → present → that
Options could include using a spooky fake skeleton hand to share out treats, rather than letting children reach into a bowl, or dressing up to meet trick or treaters.
uncertain
children → include → trick
Zagor said making your own treats is another option, inviting people over to make them together.
asserted
making → say → them
"You could certainly do something slightly magical, slightly interesting," he suggested.
uncertain
he → do → something
The Aporia
