Kroger reveals Indiana’s favorite Halloween candies

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Kroger Central Division today revealed the current favorite candies of shoppers in its midwestern region. The retailer said sales reports ahead of Halloween show shoppers are reaching first for Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins, then Snickers Fun Size bars, Brach’s Candy Corn, and Milky War bars to fill their baskets.

“Our shoppers love their chocolate treats every Halloween, and these candies are always among the most popular,” Division President Colleen Juergensen said. “We enjoy the season as much as our customers do and we’re always proud they choose the value and variety of Kroger to satisfy every sweet tooth.”

Fun-size candy history

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: The Hershey Company says the candy can be traced back to 1928, when an employee of the company, Harry Burnett Reese, created the chocolate and peanut butter combination in his basement. Hershey makes 25 million Reese’s Peanut Butter cups every day at its Pennsylvania factory. If you’d like a new way to serve them, consider this recipe.
• Snickers: Mars Wrigley says the first Snickers bar was made in Chicago in 1931. The first Fun Size Snickers appeared in 1968. In 2013, the candy passed $1 billion in U.S. sales. In the United Kingdom, Snickers is called the Marathon Bar. The Kroger Culinary team offers a recipe for Spooky Snickers Coffins.
• Brach’s Candy Corn: Brach’s traces the origin of its candy corn to the 1920s. Other candy researchers credit the invention to another candy company in the 1880s. The National Confectioners Association says Americans buy 35 million pounds of candy corn every year. Candy Corn may be enjoyed as an ingredient in a chocolate dessert.
• Milky Way: The candy maker says Milky Way bars were first sold in 1924 and are the oldest Mars chocolate bar brand still being made. Their creators designed the candy to recall the taste of malted milkshakes and were named after a popular malted milk drink of the day, not the Milky Way galaxy. A recipe blogger found this way to enjoy Milky Way bars as cookies.

2024 Halloween spotlight

Kroger’s research division, 84.51, asked Kroger households about their preparations and attitudes for the approaching holiday season October through December. Researchers concluded shoppers “are sticking to the tried-and-true Halloween traditions and will make seasonal purchases to celebrate.”

Traditions by the numbers:

• Decorating my house: 53 percent
• Carving a pumpkin: 48 percent
• Staying home & handing out candy: 43 percent
• Stocking up on candy to give out: 36 percent
• Stocking up on candy for myself/family: 36 percent
• Going trick or treating in our neighborhood: 33 percent
• Going to a trick or treating event: 27 percent
• Going to a Halloween party: 26 percent
• Going trick or treating in someone else’s neighborhood: 23 percent

Halloween shopping may already be underway for some Kroger customers. 84.51 research found nearly half of their respondents said they start shopping for Halloween two to four weeks in advance. Candy sales begin to show a spike in the two weeks prior to Halloween. Candy sales peak on the actual day of Halloween.