The latest Halloween trick-or-treat trends, according to Instacart data

Pixel-Shot // Shutterstock As the leaves turn and eerie decor starts to line the streets, one thing is as clear as a crystal ball: Halloween is just around the corner. As the spooky season rolls in, so does the demand for sugary treats, costumes, and decor.  To understand the sweet confections people are enjoying and how they’re enjoying them, Instacart calculated the share of grocery orders containing candy in October 2023 and commissioned an online survey conducted by The Harris Poll of more than 2,000 Americans. The following report features insights about the top candy picks state-by-state, what’s uniquely popular in different regions, how many people plan to trick-or-treat and pass out candy this year, and much more.  Let’s unwrap the treats and trends that make Halloween a candy lover’s favorite holiday. Halloween Hype According to this survey, more than three in four Americans (76%) like to celebrate Halloween, with one in four (25%) saying Halloween is their favorite holiday. And with Halloween comes candy, costumes, and trick-or-treating. According to the survey, this year… Half of Americans (50%) plan to eat Halloween candy. Nearly half of Americans (46%) plan to pass out Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters.  31% of Americans plan to dress up in a costume. 23% of Americans will venture out trick-or-treating.  When does the Halloween hype begin? One in three Americans (33%) start getting in the Halloween spirit before October, while 38% do so at the beginning to mid-October, and 13% say they don’t get into the spirit until the week of Halloween.  Instacart’s purchase data confirms Oct. 31 is the most popular day for ordering candy, which makes sense considering Instacart’s super fast delivery is a convenient option for last-minute candy stock-ups. While candy sales saw small spikes throughout the month, 21% of orders on Oct. 31, 2023 included candy. Top Candies That Trick-or-Treaters Crave