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Brach's Releases 2026 Candy Cane Report

The annual report finds most holiday candy shoppers start early and buy repeatedly, while Brach's launches a new soft and chewy candy cane product.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Spending

Bold flat-color vector editorial illustration of three striped peppermint candy ropes in a loose cluster on a cream background, with scattered peppermint discs.
Brach's released its 2026 Candy Cane Report on November 2, finding 54% of holiday candy shoppers buy two to three times each season. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you plan to start buying holiday candy in October or November?

Brach's, America's No. 1 candy cane brand, released its 2026 Candy Cane Report on November 2, 2026, alongside the introduction of Peppermint Candy Cane Ropes. The report draws on a survey of 2,000 U.S. residents on holiday candy buying habits.

Why it matters

The findings show that the holiday candy season is spread across several weeks, with most shoppers buying more than once, which shapes when and how often households spend on seasonal treats. The report also reflects steady demand for candy canes, a product that nearly half of shoppers purchase during the holidays.

The survey sampled 2,000 U.S. residents ages 18-70 who had bought seasonal sugar candy in the past month, with a maximum sampling error of about +/- 2 percentage points at the 90% confidence level. Brach's 2025 candy cane sales totaled 7,261,275 pounds, roughly a third of the 21,187,370-pound U.S. market per Circana, and the report does not say how those shares will change in 2026.

The players

Brach's

Brach's is a long-established American candy brand known for its candy canes and seasonal confections, owned by Ferrara.

Ferrara

Ferrara is a major American confectionery company that commissioned the survey behind the report and owns the Brach's brand.

The details

Brach's introduced Peppermint Candy Cane Ropes, a soft and chewy take on its classic candy cane, and Fun Dip and NERDS also launched new holiday product variations. The report found that 54% of shoppers buy holiday candy two to three times during the season.

Timeline

  1. December 2025: Survey of 2,000 U.S. residents conducted for the report.

  2. 2025: Brach's sold 7,261,275 pounds of candy canes.

  3. October or November: Nearly three-quarters of shoppers begin holiday candy shopping.

  4. December 3: 27% of shoppers wait until this date to begin shopping for holiday candy.

  5. November 2, 2026: Brach's releases its 2026 Candy Cane Report and new products.

Market Landscape

Brach's 2025 sales equal roughly a third of the total U.S. candy cane volume tracked by Circana, placing the brand as a leading force in a category where holiday demand is concentrated. The new soft and chewy Peppermint Candy Cane Ropes extend that competition into a format beyond the traditional hard candy cane.

Because most shoppers buy holiday candy two to three times, budgeting for repeat seasonal purchases across several weeks may be more practical than a single trip. Shoppers who wait until December may face a shorter selection window for popular items.

The takeaway

Spreading holiday candy purchases across the season, rather than buying everything at once, can help households manage spending while still enjoying seasonal favorites.

Further reading

Explore more on Spending to see how households budget for seasonal purchases like holiday treats.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Herald-Review.

Live Poll

Do you plan to start buying holiday candy in October or November?