There are few companies whose sales spike so drastically around holidays like candy companies. Candy seems to make its way into every major holiday, from Valentine’s Day to Easter. Halloween is the season for candy, with over 10% of annual candy sales happening in the days leading up to Halloween– nearly $2 billion dollars in sales. Although Americans have a clear preference for chocolate candy over sugar, you may be surprised at the controversial candy that consistently comes in at number one. Below we feature 5 of the top selling Halloween candy for 2013:
5. M&M’s (Mars)
In 2013, M&M’s sales are at $500.82 million with the average price per unit being $1.15. The candy became popular with soldiers during the Second World War for its endurance in heat, and children like how the little pieces are easy to eat.
4. Kit Kat
This year, sales for Kit Kats are at $306.51 million with the average price per unit being $1.11. Kit Kat, which is licensed and manufactured by Hershey Company inside the U.S., was popularized in 1911 England and continues to be a global crowd favorite.
3. Reese’s
In 2013, Reese’s sales are at $509.85 million with the average price per unit being $1.25. Peanut butter cups were invented by a former Hershey’s foreman and dairy farmer. H.B. Reese created the first peanut butter cup in 1928, and he produced and sold the sweets from his basement.
2. Snicker’s
For 2013, Snicker’s sales are at $456.91 million with the average price per unit being $1.11. Until the 1990’s, Mars, Incorporated sold Snicker’s under the brand name “Marathon” in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
1. Candy Corn
Surprisingly, the candy that holds first place for most popular Halloween candy isn’t made from chocolate. Candy corn, America’s favorite candy named after a vegetable, has been the crowd favorite for over a century. Americans purchase over 20 million pounds of it a year, but not all of it is eaten on its own. Google recently announced that candy corn is it’s top Halloween treat search, with other similar searches including “candy corn M&Ms,” “candy corn cookies,” “candy corn recipe” and “candy corn Oreos.”