When we think of big-spend holidays, the first to come to mind are typically Christmas, Hanukkah, and Valentine’s Day. We often don’t often lump Halloween in with these more expensive celebrations but according to CB Insights, spending in the U.S. for Halloween is expected to reach $9 billion in 2018. Candy alone is set to account for $2.6 billion of these sales.
And while the big players like Hershey’s and Mars reap the majority of that money, there are a number of newcomers who are set to take a big portion of those sales this year. Here are five candy brands set to disrupt Halloween this season.
1. Skinny Dipped Almonds
Skinny Dipped Almonds is a mother-daughter owned company led by Val and Breezy Griffith. There are currently three varieties of dark chocolate dipped almonds: cocoa, raspberry, and espresso, and several limited-edition greek yogurt varieties (including pumpkin spice). Made with all real ingredients, from ethically sourced artisan chocolate to organically grown almonds, these delicious treats pack a ton of protein and fiber, making them a much healthier alternative to other chocolates on the market. Interested in joining their team? You’re in luck — they’re hiring.
2. SmartSweets
Headed by 23-year-old CEO Tara Bosch, SmartSweets aims to tackle the negative effects sugar has on our health while still allowing us to indulge our sweet tooth. There are only 3 grams of sugar per bag — each bag of gummy bears has 85 percent less sugar than other leading brands. SmartSweets offers both sweet and sour versions of the bears and has fun-sized packs of their plant-based sweets on sale for Halloween now.
3. SmashMallow
These premium snacking marshmallows are certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and made with only natural ingredients. At only 20 calories per marshmallow, these tasty sweets are considered ‘guilt-free.’ SmashMallows come in nine flavors — top sellers include mint chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, and sugar cookie — but for the more adventurous snackers, SmashMallow also offers flavors in root beer float and coconut pineapple. They’ve also recently introduced SmashCrispys, a Rice Krispie-style treat made with their own marshmallows. Grab their limited-edition Malloween packs today for the trick-or-treaters coming your way (or keep them for yourself, we won’t tell!).
4. Justin’s
Ranked in the top 15 of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list (in the food and beverage category) two years in a row, Justin’s is truly a revolutionary company. The nut butters are all made sustainably with locally-grown ingredients, and the unique grinding process makes them smoother and more delicious than any other butter on the market. Their miniature Nut Butter Cups make the perfect Halloween treat. And taste isn’t the only thing these cups have going for them — portions of the company’s profits go to charities that aim to help with hunger relief, poverty relief, and more.
5. Rip Van Wafels
With less than 8 grams of sugar per serving, Rip Van Wafels are made without trans fats, artificial flavors, and high fructose corn syrup. These individually packaged Stroopwaffels are really making a dent in the $7 billion dollar U.S. cookie industry. The wafels range in flavor from the original Dutch Carmel and Vanilla to the more exotic Chocolate Brownie. While there’s definitely a variety for everyone, each flavor is equally indulgent and satisfying — which is exactly what you’d expect from a company who’s committed themselves to the highest bar of excellence.
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