Early Halloween

Very recently, say about five years ago, I noticed that lime green and purple were added to the traditional Halloween colors of orange and black. This wasn't dreamed up by consumers demanding "more colors in Halloween!" No, it would have been the people making the stuff. This means they can sell more, because offering choices increases sales. No longer does the indulgent parent buy one orange item, but two and possibly three so the kids won't scream in the supermarket aisles. It also keeps Mom and Dad in the store longer, increasing the chance they'll buy more stuff.

There is a sort of tipping point in marketing, though, where too much choice can make people turn away in confusion and buy a competitor's item. But, generally, the more shelf space your brand takes up and crowds out others, the more money you can make. I didn't buy any of the above, because if I buy it now, I'll eat it all by Halloween and have to buy more. This is something seasonal candy manufacturers and stores factor in and it's why this shows up so early.