More than half of parents are loyal to their favorite candy brands when buying treats for Halloween, according to a survey conducted by shopping rewards app Shopkick.
Shopkick polled 5,369 users who self-identified as parents participating in Halloween activities Sept. 13-19 and found 54 percent of shoppers planned to choose their preferred brands over options that are the most cost effective.
Similarly, 38 percent of responding parents said they’d set aside special candy for kids they know, giving different candy to other trick-or-treaters.
As far as “clean” and “healthy” candy options go, 15 percent of parents planned to hand out nut-free options, meaning 85 percent planned to opt for brands including nuts, such as Reese’s, Snickers and others.
Meanwhile, one in five parents said they’d give out lower-sugar or inedible alternatives, such as pretzels, popcorn, pencils and stickers.
Overall, 61 percent of surveyed parents said they’d spend up to $50 on Halloween between costumes, decorations and candy. However, 42 percent of respondents said they’d wait until the week before Halloween to buy treats. Why? So they wouldn’t have to restock. Nonetheless, nearly half of respondents (47 percent) end up restocking anyway.
Halloween isn’t just for children, the survey revealed. More than half of responding parents (53 percent) would sneak a few pieces of their children’s candy on Halloween, while 7 percent of parents said they’d take half of their children’s stash.
And then there’s the debate on the most polarizing Halloween treat: candy corn. Nearly 60 percent of respondents said they love stuff, while just over 40 percent said they can’t stand candy corn.
