In the days leading up to Halloween, candy preferences change in Europe. Spooky bubble gum or ghost chocolate are trending. Both children and adults enjoy treats with a scare factor. However, two countries seem to have something else on their minds at the moment…The delivery service „foodora“ examined current data from Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, and Finland to discover new trends in candies, national quirks, and peculiarities. The company also delivers everyday items – and there are some pretty risqué spikes in demand.Sweden is the sweetest countryOverall, the Scandinavian countries spend more on candies for Halloween than their Central European neighbors, reflecting a strong preference for sugary treats. While the Nordic countries mainly consume gummy candies, candies, and chocolates, cookies and pralines are more popular in Central Europe.Spooky candies, such as spiders, are very popular during HalloweenPhoto: picture alliance / ZoonarWhen it comes to the share of confectionery in total sales, Sweden leads with 9.2 percent, followed by Finland (7.6%) and Norway (7.3%). Czech Republic lags far behind at 4 percent.Gummy candies, cookies, chocolate – anything goes, as long as it has a scare factorPhoto: picture alliance / Westend61Chocolate sales, in particular, increase during Halloween – despite high cocoa costs. Once again, Sweden is leading the pack, with a 17 percent increase in chocolate interest. Sweet tooths in Czech Republic (+63%) and Hungary (+28%) are leaning towards bubble gum, while Norway is craving cookies (+41%).Health-conscious products (gluten-free, vegan) are gaining popularity in many places, while DIY candy kits are losing favor.“Sexual Wellness“ in Eastern EuropeHalloween 2024 also brings an entirely unexpected trend. Both in the Czech Republic and Hungary, there has been a sudden surge in the sales of sexual wellness products – by 31 percent and 48 percent year-on-year, respectively. This includes condoms and massage oils, which are currently in demand in Czech Republic and HungaryPhoto: Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpaIn both countries, leading products include lubricants, massage oils, condoms, and „vacuum cups“ for men. Many adults seem to not only want to get spooked but also have some fun.The food delivery service „foodora“ was founded in Munich at the end of 2014 and operates in six European countries. The company ensures that orders arrive at customers within 30 minutes and is part of the globally leading platform for local deliveries, „Delivery Hero“.
