Halloween candy displays have arrived even earlier this year. The Covid-19 pandemic, and its potential to put a damper on trick-or-treating and spooky fêtes, has candy manufacturers like Hershey hedging their bets for what is typically their biggest season. Hershey HSY has partnered with retailers to stock big bags of autumnal treats and set up Halloween merchandise earlier in the summer, Phil Stanley, Hershey's global chief sales officer, told CNN Business. "More stores have started Halloween displays earlier — most have moved up their displays two to four weeks earlier" than the typical mid-August and early September arrival, Stanley said, adding that setting up Halloween displays and aisles earlier can lead to increased sales. Late last week, a towering candy display — featuring pictures of the M&M's candy mascots in Halloween costumes as well as boxes filled with large bags of Mars Wrigley and Hershey candies — was seen along the front aisle of a Bay Area Safeway store.

Source: CNN August 10, 2020 21:33 UTC