The magic of the holiday season has returned! A time to share happiness with those around us. And what better way to spread cheer than with everyone’s favorite – candy.
CandyStore.com, an online bulk candy retailer, tapped into the insights of their customers to uncover these sweet preferences. This year, we gathered opinions from over 16,000 respondents. Additionally, the company consulted with major candy manufacturers and distributors to ensure our findings reflect broader market trends.
The Christmas candy most popular in New Jersey is Skittles followed by Reese’s Cup Minis, and Candy Canes, according to Candy Store.
Source: CandyStore.com.
Peppermint Bark Bounces Back
Peppermint bark has rebounded. It dropped a whopping six #1 spots last year after a strong 2021. This year it regained 3, flexing its strength throughout the midwest. Why do the midwesterners love Peppermint bark so much??
And don’t forget, we are not even taking into account the homemade bark made in your own kitchens. You know how midwestern moms love to bake (bake bark?).
Now, the bark has not regained their biggest previous conquests: California and Texas. If they can manage that next year, they will be the clear kings of Christmas candy.
Candy Canes Also Bounce
Candy canes fell last year, and similarly to peppermint bark, they have rebounded this year. Thanks mostly to two New England states, candy canes have made a respectable improvement. Candy canes are newly #1 New Hampshire and Vermont and looking strong going into the holidays.
But candy canes are not the universally-loved Christmas candy you might think. They are often found on the WORST Christmas candy list, in fact. People who don’t like them cite reasons like they can be messy to eat, hard to unwrap in one whole piece and, once sucked on for a while, become sharp and dangerous.
Starburst Keeps Rising
Starbursts don’t seem like a particularly traditional holiday candy, but who knows what those crazy kids are up to nowadays. Starburst didn’t gain any new #1 spots this year, but they did pick up five new overall top 3 spots. This may not seem all that spectacular, but remember we’re talking about Starburst. At Christmas.
Christmas Candy Quick Facts:
- 93% of people gift chocolate and candy for the winter holidays
- 29% of gift givers plan to give candy.
- LEGOs are a top 3 Christmas gift for both boys (#1) and girls (#3).
- 43% of Holiday shoppers started by the beginning of November.
- 72% of people eat a candy cane starting on the straight end, the rest start on the curved end. Weird.
- Approximately 150 million chocolate Santas are produced annually.
- 1.76 Billion candy canes are produced every year for the holiday season.
- The largest candy cane in the world was made in Switzerland. It was 51 feet long.
- December 26th is National Candy Cane Day.
- 59% of holiday sales are expected to be online.
State By State
| State | Top Holiday Candy 2023 | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | Chocolate Santas | Candy Canes | Reese’s Pieces |
| AL | Reindeer Corn | Candy Canes | Peppermint Bark |
| AR | Starburst | Snickers | Peppermint Bark |
| AZ | Reese’s Cup Minis | Hershey Kisses | KitKat |
| CA | Reese’s Cup Minis | Peppermint Bark | Hershey Kisses |
| CO | Reese’s Cup Minis | Hershey Kisses | Reese’s Pieces |
| CT | Starburst | Candy Canes | Reese’s Pieces |
| DC | Snickers | Candy Canes | M&M’s |
| DE | Starburst | Candy Canes | Reindeer Corn |
| FL | Snickers | Reese’s Cup Minis | KitKat |
| GA | Starburst | Candy Canes | Reindeer Corn |
| HI | Starburst | Hershey Kisses | Candy Canes |
| IA | Peppermint Bark | M&M’s | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| ID | M&M’s | Hershey Kisses | Chocolate Santas |
| IL | Peppermint Bark | Hershey Kisses | M&M’s |
| IN | Starburst | Reese’s Cup Minis | KitKat |
| KS | Peppermint Bark | Hershey Kisses | Candy Canes |
| KY | Reese’s Cup Minis | M&M’s | KitKat |
| LA | Candy Canes | KitKat | Starburst |
| MA | KitKat | Starburst | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| MD | Reese’s Cup Minis | Candy Canes | Reese’s Pieces |
| ME | Hershey Kisses | Chocolate Santas | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| MI | Peppermint Bark | Reindeer Corn | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| MN | Peppermint Bark | Hershey Kisses | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| MO | Peppermint Bark | Hershey Kisses | Starburst |
| MS | Chocolate Santas | Candy Canes | Reindeer Corn |
| MT | Reese’s Pieces | Reindeer Corn | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| NC | Snickers | Starburst | Reindeer Corn |
| ND | Chocolate Santas | Reindeer Corn | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| NE | Peppermint Bark | M&M’s | Hershey Kisses |
| NH | Candy Canes | M&M’s | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| NJ | Skittles | Reese’s Cup Minis | Candy Canes |
| NM | Chocolate Santas | Pez | Candy Canes |
| NV | Peppermint Bark | Starburst | Candy Canes |
| NY | Snickers | Candy Canes | Reese’s Cup Minis |
| OH | Chocolate Santas | Hershey Kisses | Peppermint Bark |
| OK | KitKat | Candy Canes | Reindeer Corn |
| OR | Candy Canes | Reese’s Cup Minis | Snickers |
| PA | Reese’s Cup Minis | Candy Canes | Reindeer Corn |
| RI | Peppermint Bark | Reindeer Corn | M&M’s |
| SC | M&M’s | Peppermint Bark | Pez |
| SD | Hershey Kisses | Chocolate Santas | Peppermint Bark |
| TN | Peppermint Bark | Starburst | Chocolate Santas |
| TX | Reese’s Cup Minis | Peppermint Bark | Candy Canes |
| UT | Hershey Kisses | Reindeer Corn | M&M’s |
| VA | M&M’s | Candy Canes | Reindeer Corn |
| VT | Candy Canes | Snickers | Chocolate Santas |
| WA | Reese’s Cup Minis | Candy Canes | Skittles |
| WI | Starburst | Peppermint Bark | Reindeer Corn |
| WV | Peppermint Bark | Pez | Starburst |
| WY | M&M’s | Chocolate Santas | Peppermint Bark |
The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts a significant rise in holiday spending for November and December 2023, expecting a 3% to 4% increase over the previous year, potentially reaching up to $966.6 billion.
This growth mirrors pre-pandemic levels, buoyed by strong household finances despite inflation and higher interest rates. NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay emphasizes the readiness of retailers to meet consumer demands during this peak shopping season.
A noteworthy trend is the continued rise in online and non-store sales, projected to increase by 7% to 9%, amounting to between $273.7 billion and $278.8 billion. The NRF notes the resilience of consumers, propelled by solid job and wage growth, which will likely keep spending steady, though at a slower pace compared to the pandemic boom years.
The latest NRF survey puts food and candy as a top item on consumers’ shopping lists, ranking significantly at 29% (toys came in at 37%). This indicates a strong inclination towards gifting candy and edible treats, reflecting a broader trend in holiday spending.
