New Survey Data: Halloween is Happening And Americans Are Ready To Celebrate Creatively And Safely Throughout October

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Aug 07, 2020, 09:13 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Halloween may look and feel a little different this year as people decide how they will celebrate – whether it's having fun from a distance, trick-or-treating, enjoying Halloween at home or something in between. A poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the National Confectioners Association found that 63% of adults believe that people will find creative, fun and safe ways to celebrate the Halloween season this year.

Americans are looking forward to Halloween to add some normalcy and joy to what has been a very serious and uncertain time. In a poll conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of NCA, 74% of millennial moms and young parents say that Halloween is more important than ever this year.

"Consumers report that they will be getting creative throughout the month of October to make sure that they can stay safe and still enjoy the Halloween season," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. "The results of our research reveal a deeply rooted enthusiasm for Halloween, even if it means that people have to rethink their approach this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic."

According to The Harris Poll's research, an overwhelming majority of respondents say they can't imagine Halloween without chocolate and candy and trick-or-treating is irreplaceable – that includes 80% of the general public and 90% of millennial moms and young parents. And according to an independent survey from Insight to Action, 70% of moms plan to celebrate the Halloween season with their children this year.

"There will be regional differences across the country in terms of how communities choose to celebrate the Halloween season, but one thing is for sure – Halloween is happening," Downs said. "As we look to our leaders in public health across the country for safety guidance, we want to share what we know about how people are approaching the Halloween season."

The Harris Poll's research found that 75% of Americans and 91% of millennial moms and young parents agree that chocolate and candy are integral to consumers' emotional well-being and play a big role in celebrations, especially Halloween. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, people in the U.S. enjoy chocolate and candy 2-3 times per week, averaging about 40 calories per day and just one teaspoon of added sugar per day – and that includes Halloween.

The Halloween season (i.e., the eight weeks leading up to October 31) accounts for about $4.6 billion in confectionery sales each year, and a 2020 NCA market analysis shows that chocolate sales are up about 4.5% since the middle of March 2020, as compared to 2.2% growth for all of 2019.

"Chocolate and candy have been very resilient in this COVID-19 environment," Downs said. "Consumers appreciate and value chocolate and candy during these uncertain times because of their uncanny ability to boost your mood and lighten your perspective."

NCA x Morning Consult, July 2020
Methodology: This poll was conducted from July 24-26, 2020, among a national sample of 2,200 adults. The interviews were conducted online, and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

NCA x The Harris Poll, June 2020
Methodology: This poll was conducted from June 16-24, 2020, among a national sample of 1,000 adults, with oversamples of 200 Gen Z, 200 millennial moms/young parents and 400 opinion elites. The interviews were conducted online.

About the National Confectioners Association (NCA)
The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization that advances, protects and promotes the unique role of chocolate, candy, gum and mints in a happy, balanced lifestyle and the companies that make these special treats. Through advocacy and regulatory guidance, communications, industry insights and retail and supply chain engagement, NCA helps foster an environment that enables candy makers to thrive. Confections are produced in all 50 states, creating jobs for approximately 54,000 workers in more than 1,300 manufacturing facilities across the country. Learn more at AlwaysATreat.com or follow NCA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Contact: Lauren O'Toole Boland
Phone: 330-571-3693
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE National Confectioners Association