# US Halloween consumer purchasing trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-halloween-consumer-purchasing-trends
> Updated: 2026-10-09T00:15:36.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

Data from Instacart regarding Halloween consumer trends indicates that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were the top-selling candy by ounces sold, leading in 40 of 51 states and Washington, D.C. 

While chocolate varieties like Peanut M&M’s, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, M&M’s, and Snickers dominated the top five, Sour Patch Kids was the highest-ranking non-chocolate option. Regional preferences varied, such as Montana showing a preference for HI-CHEW at a rate 616% above the national average, and Rhode Island seeing Sour Patch Kids outperform both Reese’s and Peanut M&M’s. 

Geographically, Western states including Utah, Idaho, and Alaska saw the highest candy purchases relative to the rest of the country, while the Northeast saw the least. In terms of costumes, the banana was the most popular food-related choice among adults and the top-selling item on the platform.

More recent data from CandyStore.com and Brach's indicates shifting preferences. According to CandyStore.com's 2026 rankings, Snickers holds the top spot for the most popular candy, while NERDS Gummy Clusters have risen to number three. M&M’s and Sour Patch Kids also remain leaders, with M&M’s tying for the most states where they rank as the favorite. 

In a survey of 3,200 customers, candy corn and Almond Joy were identified as the least favorite treats. However, candy corn maintains regional popularity; Brach's annual heat map reveals that Kansas has overtaken Utah as the state with the highest preference for candy corn. The top five states for the treat include Kansas, Utah, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Missouri, concentrated in the Midwest and the South.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-09: Instacart report reveals top Halloween candy and costume trends

Instacart data shows Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as the top Halloween candy in most U.S. states, with regional favorites like HI-CHEW in Montana and Sour Patch Kids in Rhode Island.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/instacart-report-reveals-top-halloween-candy-and-costume-trends

### 2026-10-07: US Halloween candy trends show Snickers as top favorite

New reports on Halloween candy trends show Snickers as the top favorite in the US, while Kansas has emerged as the leading state for candy corn popularity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-halloween-candy-trends-show-snickers-as-top-favorite

### 2026-09-21: Colorado identifies Gummy Bears as most popular Halloween candy

According to Candystore.com, Gummy Bears are the most popular Halloween candy in Colorado, while other states favor various sweets like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Sour Patch Kids.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colorado-identifies-gummy-bears-as-most-popular-halloween-candy

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Cite as: US Halloween consumer purchasing trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-halloween-consumer-purchasing-trends