CARLISLE, Pa. – As the spooky season gets underway and customers are shopping for Halloween events, The GIANT Company, known locally as GIANT and MARTIN’S, asked customers about their favorite treats in a brand-new survey*. The survey looked at the breakdown of favorite Halloween candy among customers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The findings were remarkably consistent among customers across all four states with chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter candies ranking as the overwhelming favorites, with 82% saying they’re the treats they most enjoy eating. Seasonal favorites like candy corn came in a very distant second at 7%, while gummy, fruity, sour candies, lollipops and salty snacks each captured 3% or less in respondents’ preference.
“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, vice president of center store merchandising, 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. No tricks, only treats this Halloween at your local GIANT and MARTIN’S.”
According to the National Retail Federation’s annual 2026 Halloween consumer survey, spending on Halloween candy is expected to hit $4.1 billion, with handing out candy the top way consumers plan to celebrate the holiday.
Customers are balancing practicality with crowd-pleasing appeal when shopping for trick-or-treaters. The top purchase driver is getting the best value for money (28%), closely followed by buying treats most kids will enjoy (24%). Personal preferences and offering variety also play a key role, suggesting shoppers want to satisfy both their wallets and their neighborhoods.
When it comes to the size of those Halloween treats, the classic approach to treat-giving remains the norm. Nearly 58% of respondents say they hand out fun-size or mini treats, while another 18% offer a mix of both fun-size and full-size options. Only 8% go all-in on full-size candy bars, proving that while legendary among trick-or-treaters, the full-size candy house is still relatively rare.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the survey is that most households are not chasing Halloween fame. More than half (53%) say they don’t particularly ponder what trick-or-treaters will think of their house. Among those who do, the most common aspiration is to be known as the house that “gives out the best” candy (21%), well ahead of being remembered for decorations, variety, or oversized treats.
Beyond the Candy Aisle
GIANT and MARTIN’S stores are a one-stop shop for everything Halloween and harvest, no matter how you plan to celebrate. New this season are three Halloween varieties of the popular Marty plush – a bat, scarecrow, and spider – along with fall theme Highland Cows, foxes and felt birds. The décor offerings include wooden, stuffed, and ceramic pumpkins, scarecrow gnomes, leaf-shaped string lights, door mats, autumn-scented candles and more.
Stores also offer a wide variety of carving and varietal pumpkins. Choose from assorted decorative pumpkins, a Color Me or Sticker Me Pumpkin kit, or for those looking to show off their skills, pick up a Pumpkin Masters All in One Carving Kit.
For more infoon GIANT and MARTIN’S Halloween promotions and offerings, visit giantfoodstores.com or martinsfoods.com.
