Chocolate, caramel and peanut butter candies are the overwhelming Halloween favorites for customers of The Giant Company, with 82 percent naming them the treats they most enjoy eating, according to a new survey from the retailer whose stores operate under the Giant and Martin’s banners.
The survey of adults in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia found remarkably consistent preferences in all four states. Seasonal favorites like candy corn came in a distant second at 7 percent, while gummy, fruity and sour candies, lollipops and salty snacks each captured 3 percent or less.
“Whether stocking up for trick-or-treaters or preparing for Halloween celebrations with family and friends, our recent survey found that the majority of our customers share the same favorites when it comes to their preferred Halloween candy,” said Steve Allison, VP of center store merchandising at The Giant Company. “But no matter your preference, we’re giving shoppers a variety of scary good treat options at prices that won’t spook your budget.”
Key findings
- Value leads purchase drivers: Getting the best value for money (28 percent) narrowly tops buying treats most kids will enjoy (24 percent), with personal preference and variety also factoring in.
- Fun-size remains the norm: Nearly 58 percent of respondents hand out fun-size or mini treats, 18 percent offer a mix of fun-size and full-size, and only 8 percent go all-in on full-size bars.
- Most aren’t chasing Halloween fame: More than half (53 percent) say they don’t particularly ponder what trick-or-treaters will think of their house. Among those who do, 21 percent aspire to be known as the house that “gives out the best” candy, well ahead of decorations or oversized treats.
The retailer cited the National Retail Federation’s 2026 Halloween survey, which projects candy spending to hit $4.1 billion, with handing out candy the top way consumers plan to celebrate.
Beyond the candy aisle, Giant and Martin’s stores are stocked for the season with three new Halloween varieties of the retailer’s Marty plush (a bat, scarecrow and spider), fall decor, carving and decorative pumpkins and pumpkin-carving kits.
The Giant Company’s survey was conducted online Sept. 15-29 among adults 18 and older in its four-state footprint. Founded in 1923 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Ahold Delhaize USA company operates nearly 200 stores with online grocery services, pharmacies and fuel stations, employing more than 35,000 team members.
Related: Meijer: Value-Seeking Likely To Impact Midwest Halloween Spending