New Delhi, Oct. 28 -- Halloween week brought a bitter verdict for one of America's biggest online candy sellers. According to The Street, CandyWarehouse.com Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, hoping to restructure its debts after a rough financial year. The filing came just days before Halloween.

This move follows a brutal year for the retail sector overall. The Street reports that businesses across the country have been squeezed by rising labor costs, higher interest rates, and stubborn inflation. The pandemic's ripple effects and changing consumer habits have made it harder for retailers to keep profits flowing.

Still, not every downfall can be attributed entirely to inflation. Some companies-even long-established on...