Posted on 02/13/2024 7:59:36 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, stores are relying on procrastinating romantics to make a last-minute dash in stores and online to help clear out the supply of the special-occasion candy.
If you’re among them, don’t be fooled by the smorgasbord of cutely packaged candy adorned with hearts and cupids in all shades of rosy hues. Those sweet treats might leave a bitter taste if you do some math on how much more you’re paying for them.
Some special Valentine’s Day editions of popular candies, such as Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Ranchers and Haribo appear to be priced higher than the regular versions of those sugary treats for roughly the same quantity.
Fletcher, a former data analyst with the supermarket industry, looked at the cost of a few Valentine’s Day-themed candies at retailers this year, such as Walmart, and compared them to regular versions of the same candies (using the price for ounce metric) and noted a hefty premium.
For example, she said a Valentine’s Day-themed heart-shaped box of Sour Patch Kids candy (3.45 oz) was listed on Walmart.com for $3.96 ($1.15 oz), while a regular box of the candy (3.5 oz) costs $1.24 ($0.35/oz).
Haribo Goldbears Gummi Bears Valentine Heart Box (7 oz) on Walmart.com is priced at $5.97 ($0.85/oz) compared to $2.38 ($0.30/oz) for a regular 8 oz bag of the candy.
Walmart said it was looking into the price differences, but said some of the Valentine’s Day candy items on its website are listed by third-party sellers on Walmart marketplace.
(Excerpt) Read more at channel3000.com ...
“It almost gets to the greedflation issue, where some companies are taking advantage of a situation where consumers have come to expect higher prices on everything because of inflation,” said Dworsky.
It’s called capitalism. Everyone does it. Go to New Orleans this week, Mardi Gras. Hotels way over priced, drink prices are up. Last weekends Superbowl, everything is overpriced. As long as people are willing to pay, that’s what you get.
Have you seen the price of flowers? I was just in Kroger. Those multi flower bunches that usually go for about $7 are now $22. The roses run from $50 to $80, and that is just at Krogers. Don’t know what the price is at a florist.
No doubt there is an element of greed involved, but the prices charged are what ostensibly the market will bear. People do not have to buy candy. And, as I posted yesterday:
“...the price of cocoa has doubled this past year. Cocoa now sells on the commodity market for $5,599 per metric ton (as of today) passing the previous recorded high in 1977 of $5,379 per ton. So yeah, the price of chocolate bars have increased in part because of raw product costs.”
“As long as people are willing to pay, that’s what you get”
Willing......not forced.
I was in a dollar store the other day and they had everything you need if you want to celebrate valentines day except flowers, and you can get those at the grocery store.
same with flowers: bouquets are halved in size plus doubled in price a week before valentines a few days afterwards ... so, i buy valentine flowers before and after the big event at regular prices ... my sweetie understands AND approves!
I have picked up Valentines day candy in April at very good prices. Timing is everything in a market.
It’s not expensive at CVS...the day after Valentine’s Day.
B-I-D-E-N Everything that is bad and evil emanates from the day and time Brandon Biden was sworn in as the illegally elected phony president. This plague was shaking with excitement as he spent his few waking hours, under the watchful eye of Rice, destroying anything that was good about what DJT had accomplished and adding more of his own. Electric cars, appliances, education, nothing was left untouched and they're just beginning. Much can be accomplished in the remaining time Susan and Joe have left.
A female acquaintance was complainingg that razors marketed to women cost more than the same razor sold to men.
I said “So, just buy the men’s razors”
If looks could kill, I would be dead.🤣.
Feb. 15 is my wife’s birthday. She’s told me how when she was a child, everyone thought they had such a good birthday-present idea to give her Valentine’s Day candy that had been marked down. If I ever get tired of living, I might do that myself one of these years.
You could just do what we do. I look at my wife and say “Happy Commercial Holiday.” We laugh and go about our day.
The candy is only part of the product.
Some day maybe Americans will know a ripoff when they see it and act accordingly. I may invest in a little candy on the 15th at Walmart myself....unless they are already trying to market this same candy as for Easter.
Candy rots your brain.
Our kids used to call CVS...Candy Very Soon.
My mother-in-law’s birthday was December 26th. Separate event, separate presents, separate celebration. You did not dare give her a birthday present wrapped in Christmas paper.
Beau is getting name-brand candy from Dollar Tree tomorrow. I even splurged on a 50-cent mushy card, too! $4.25, total cost. I’m using a recycled gift bag and tissue from home.
For $5 my Valentine can get me a Rotisserie Chicken at Costco. I’d be happy! :)
Last year he cut a heart-shape out of a Chewy (pet food delivery) box and put all the dogs’ names on it and asked me to be their Valentine, LOL! I’ll treasure that fur-ever. :)
Great story.
Yes the dollar store rocks!
I had made reservations at a very nice restaurant for V day.....my wife said cancel.....we can spend half that and eat very well at home.
Your man and I are truly blessed. 🙂
My eldest sister’s birthday was Dec. 19th, and as a child she got really ticked when anyone would give her a single present to cover birthday and Christmas. Sometimes I’d tell her that her birthday present from me was for both, just for the reaction, and then produce the Christmas present later. Little brothers are pests.
Was she blonde?
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