Halloween treats are delivering a nasty shock at the checkout, with sweet and chocolate prices up almost 40% in five years.
Updraft compared current prices for popular Halloween treats at Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and M&S with estimates of what the same products would have cost just five years ago, using Government inflation data for sweets and chocolate, released this week [21/10/26].
The price of a 640g bag of Haribo Trick or Treat mini bags at Asda would have cost around £2.17 in 2021, compared to £3 today, an extra 83p for the same pack.
M&S’s Percy Pig Petrifying Party sweets would have cost around £1.44 in 2021, compared to £2 today, while Asda’s Haribo Sour Skeletons would have cost around 72p, compared to £1 now.
Shoppers could also be paying nearly eight times more than they need to for similar treats, as price per 100g can vary hugely between products. Asda’s Haribo Trick or Treat mini bags work out at just 47p per 100g, while Tesco’s Zombie Sour Fruits Variety Multipack costs £3.69 per 100g, a gap Updraft says shows why checking the unit price matters more than the price on the front of the bag.
Aseem Munshi, founder of Updraft, which helps people pay off credit card debt, says: “Halloween sweets are a small spend on their own, but this shows how quickly everyday prices creep up. Comparing the price per 100g, and deciding how much to buy before you shop, are simple ways to stay in control as the festive spending season gets going.
“The aim isn’t to tell people they shouldn’t enjoy Halloween, but it’s always good to be aware of spending so a seasonal treat doesn’t create a financial headache in the run up to Christmas, either.”
“It’s worth knowing what you have to pay, what you can afford to spend, and what’s going on credit. Something that feels affordable in the moment can cost a lot more once it’s added to a balance you’re already paying interest on.”
10 popular Halloween sweets that have crept up in price
According to ONS data, sweets and chocolate prices have risen by almost 40% since 2021*. Here’s what that means for ten popular Halloween treats.
Sweet | Retailer | Pack | 2021 | 2026 | £ Rise |
Haribo Trick or Treat 40 Spooky Mini Bags | Asda | 640g | £2.17 | £3.00 | £0.83 |
Fox’s Party Ring Trick or Treat Minis | Tesco | 210g | £1.62 | £2.25 | £0.63 |
Percy Pig Petrifying Party | M&S | 150g | £1.44 | £2.00 | £0.56 |
Swizzels Scary Mix | Asda | 364g | £1.44 | £2.00 | £0.56 |
Colin the Caterpillar Spooky Sours | M&S | 170g | £1.44 | £2.00 | £0.56 |
Oreo Spooky Vanilla Sandwich Biscuits | Tesco | 154g | £1.08 | £1.50 | £0.42 |
Maynards Bassetts Spooky Wine Gums | Morrisons | 110g | £0.97 | £1.35 | £0.38 |
Sour Patch Kids Monster Heads | Asda | 105g | £0.90 | £1.25 | £0.35 |
Swizzels Spooky Eyeball Double Lollies | Morrisons | 130g | £0.90 | £1.25 | £0.35 |
Haribo Sour Skeletons | Asda | 160g | £0.72 | £1.00 | £0.28 |
*Estimated 2021 prices calculated using category-level inflation data, not verified past prices. Actual retailer pricing can shift for other reasons too, including promotions and pack-size changes.
3 lesser-known ways to cut your Halloween spend
Aseem Munshi shares some tips most people overlook:
1. Work out your actual trick-or-treater count before you buy. “People may end up buying sweets based on a guess, then top up halfway through the evening when they run low, or end up with a big surplus they didn’t need. A rough headcount from last year, or asking neighbours what they got through, means you buy closer to what you’ll actually need rather than padding ‘just in case.’”
2. Factor in the ‘sweet tax’ on the walk home. “A lot of Halloween spending happens outside the shopping trip entirely, stopping at a corner shop for extra sweets, a last-minute pumpkin, or treats for the school Halloween do. None of these feel like a big spend individually, but they’re rarely part of anyone’s Halloween budget and can quickly add up.”
3. Buy costumes and decorations on 1 November, not in October. “Outside of sweet treats, retailers also typically discount other Halloween stock heavily the day after, sometimes by 50% or more. If your children are likely to want a costume next year too, buying a size up the day after can mean paying a fraction of what you would in the run-up.”
Aseem concludes: “The latest inflation figure does offer some relief as sweets and chocolates recorded no annual RPI inflation in 2026.
“For households already juggling repayments, however, a slowdown in rises may not be enough to restore the breathing room they have lost over recent years.
“Anyone struggling with bills or debt repayments should contact their lender or supplier early to discuss their options. Free, independent guidance is also available from Citizens Advice.”
