Video by Harry Clarke
Timeline by Kayla Higgins
By Fiona O’Flynn
Halloween merchandise and candy sales are forecast to drop by double digits this year because of COVID-19, says retail analyst Bruce Winder.
Retail stores are taking a hit due to a decrease in Halloween festivities this year.
Earlier this month, Premier Doug Ford announced that door to door trick-or-treating is discouraged among hot spot regions like York, Toronto, Ottawa and Peele.
“…We would strongly recommend avoiding door-to-door trick or treating this year, and finding other, safer ways to celebrate with your household,” he said.
Instead, Ford encourages celebrating Halloween in a COVID-19-friendly style.
“Have a scavenger hunt for candy around the house, carve some pumpkins, put on a scary movie, sit down with kids at night and have fun,” he said.
At-home celebrations have resulted in low sales this season for retail stores.
“It’s been totally dead this year,” said Freshly Baked Tees employee Nicholas Facchini.
The lack of trick-or-treaters means candy sales are expected to drop by double digits, says Bruce Winder.
“…Apparently a lot of stores/grocery stores didn’t put [Halloween candy] out this year through uncertainty if kids were even allowed to trick-or-treat,” said Maddy Frank, a Spirit Halloween employee.
The impacts of COVID-19 have caused consumers to be more frugal with their spending, says Winder.
“People are buying more essentials and less discretionary items,” he said.
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