Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Led Halloween Candy Sales

Data from the previous year identified the chocolate treat as the top purchase in New Mexico and several other states.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Desserts

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single chocolate-peanut butter candy piece, representing regional Halloween consumer trends.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups emerged as the most-purchased candy by volume across New Mexico and six other states during the 2025 Halloween season. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Instacart analysis of Halloween candy purchases from 2025 revealed that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were the most-purchased candy in New Mexico, Arizona, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. The study used total volume by ounce to determine the rankings.

Why it matters

Understanding regional candy preferences provides insight into holiday consumer behavior and purchasing trends across the United States. This data highlights significant geographical differences in popular treats during the Halloween season.

Nationwide data shows Peanut M&M's were the second most-purchased candy by weight, while Rhode Island uniquely favored Sour Patch Kids as its top choice.

The players

Instacart

This American retail technology company operates a grocery delivery and pickup service that tracks consumer purchasing habits.

The details

The analysis focused on purchase volume measured in ounces during the Halloween season of the previous year. While Reese's Peanut Butter Cups dominated the market in several regions, preferences varied significantly in other parts of the country.

Timeline

  1. The data represents purchase trends from the Halloween season in 2025.

Culture Shift

These findings reflect the consistency of regional brand loyalties compared to national averages found in the Instacart Halloween candy purchase volume rankings. The data illustrates a lasting trend where specific chocolate products maintain dominance across large swaths of the country.

For consumers, this data highlights which candies are most likely to be in high demand or frequently restocked in local stores during the season. Understanding these preferences can help shoppers anticipate product availability when preparing for holiday events.

The takeaway

Regional preferences remain a significant factor in seasonal shopping, proving that national trends do not always dictate local demand. Shoppers can use these insights to better plan their candy selection based on the popularity of specific treats in their area.

Further reading

Learn more about sweet trends in the Desserts section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by KRQE 13.

Live Poll

Do you prefer buying classic Halloween candy over newer seasonal trends?