by Sarah Schmidt
October 22, 2020
For American consumers who find the notion of trick-or-treating during the coronavirus pandemic to be more chilling than thrilling, food gifts offer an opportunity to safely scare up both smiles and sweets, according to Consumer and Corporate Food Gifting in the U.S., 7th Edition, a report by market research firm Packaged Facts. The report reveals that food gifts are a preferable option for gift giving during the pandemic because they are practical, easy to ship, comforting, and a good way to send treats to someone who cannot be visited because of social distancing.
Traditionally, Halloween isn’t a prime occasion for gifting on par with holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, or the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa). Nevertheless, companies involved in this food market segment continue to strategize to expand options for food gifting for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Father’s Day, Easter, and occasions that take place year-round—such as wedding anniversaries, new births, and sympathy-driven occasions. And Halloween, in particular, hasn’t disappointed.
The spookiest time of the year offers ample opportunity in a food gifting market that Packaged Facts estimates had sales of more than $21 billion in 2019. Though Halloween is less commonly a gift-giving holiday, with the celebratory focus being placed upon snacks and candy given to trick-or-treaters, the holiday provides many opportunities for food gifting to personal friends, acquaintances, or family members. According to Packaged Facts’ 2020 National Consumer Survey, 20% of people buying food gifts for others purchased a food gift for Halloween.
A number of products associated with autumn and Halloween can crop up in gift baskets, such as:
For instance, Harry & David offers a number of pie gifts for sale in the fall season, including apple and pumpkin varieties. And for Halloween specifically, the premium food and gift retailer offers ghoulishly decadent delights including Halloween artisan truffles, “monster” dipped strawberries and cake pops, and cauldrons overflowing with an assortment of decorated cookies.
Similarly, GourmetGiftBaskets.com sells a large variety of Halloween food gifts, such as popcorn, pretzels, baked goods, pumpkin cheesecakes, beer buckets, wine and picnic baskets, and collections of Halloween candy. The retailer’s Halloween Candy Stash collection comes in a decorative box featuring witches and other spinetingling themes.
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