Halloween Candy Price Comparison 2026: Walmart, Target, Publix and Dollar Stores

As Halloween approaches, American shoppers are looking for ways to save on candy without disappointing trick-or-treaters. A price comparison of Walmart, Target, Publix, Dollar General and Dollar Tree stores in South Florida found that Walmart generally offered the best value on popular Halloween treats, although certain grocery store promotions provided competitive alternatives.

Americans Expected to Cut Halloween Spending in 2026

Halloween remains a widely celebrated holiday in the United States, but rising household expenses are encouraging consumers to reconsider their seasonal budgets.

According to a LendingTree survey, 80% of Americans plan to make a Halloween-related purchase this year, compared with 90% in 2025.

Among those celebrating, average expected spending has fallen to $162, representing a 16% decline from $192 last year.

Despite the anticipated reduction in spending, handing out candy remains a popular tradition. A National Retail Federation (NRF) survey found that 61% of American households plan to distribute Halloween treats.

The NRF also reported that shoppers are becoming more deliberate about their purchases.

If Halloween merchandise costs more than expected, approximately 31% of consumers plan to compare prices across retailers, while 26% intend to search for coupons or promotional discounts.

Walmart, Target and Publix Halloween Candy Prices Compared

To determine which major retailers offered better candy deals, TheStreet Co-Editor-in-Chief Daniel Kline and Senior Editor Celine Provini visited Walmart, Target and Publix locations in the same South Florida neighborhood.

They also examined Halloween candy selections at Dollar General and Dollar Tree.

The comparison focused on recognizable candy brands sold in individually wrapped, tamper-evident fun-size or snack-size packages suitable for trick-or-treating.

Walmart Offers the Best Overall Candy Value

Walmart emerged as the lowest-priced retailer overall among the five stores examined.

Its selection included popular Halloween candy options at generally more competitive prices than those available at nearby stores.

Target was also a strong contender, offering a slightly broader candy assortment. Although Walmart generally had lower prices, the differences between the two retailers were relatively modest.

For households already shopping at Target, making an additional trip to Walmart might not generate enough savings to justify the extra travel.

Publix Offers Savings Through BOGO Promotions

Publix generally had higher candy prices and a more limited selection than Walmart and Target.

The supermarket also lacked certain popular options during the comparison, including individually packaged M&M’s.

However, Publix offered two notable buy-one-get-one-free promotions that provided substantial savings.

The Butterfinger promotion provided approximately 60 individually wrapped bars across two bags, while the 100 Grand deal included about 50 bars.

These promotions made Publix competitive for shoppers willing to substitute these varieties for other popular Halloween candies.

Prices and inventory may vary by location. The comparison reflects five stores visited within approximately two hours.

Dollar General and Dollar Tree Offer Limited Halloween Candy Savings

Discount retailers are often associated with lower prices, but the comparison found that Dollar General and Dollar Tree were not necessarily the best destinations for bulk Halloween candy purchases.

Both chains offered reasonably priced decorations and inexpensive costume accessories.

However, their selections of individually wrapped, recognizable candy brands suitable for trick-or-treating were limited.

Neither retailer consistently offered better candy value than Walmart, Target or Publix.

Dollar General Has a Competitive Reese’s Deal

One notable exception involved Reese’s peanut butter cups.

Dollar General offered a 19.5-ounce package containing approximately 26 snack-size Reese’s cups for $9.50.

That worked out to approximately 37 cents per cup.

A comparable package at Publix cost approximately 42 cents per cup, making Dollar General slightly cheaper for that particular product.

Nevertheless, the overall selection at both dollar-store chains was less competitive than the assortments available at larger retailers.

Where Should Americans Buy Halloween Candy in 2026?

The comparison suggests that consumers should consider convenience alongside individual candy prices.

All five stores examined were located within approximately two miles of one another, making direct price comparisons relatively straightforward.

For shoppers choosing between Walmart and Target, the savings from visiting a second store may be too small to outweigh transportation costs and additional time.

Publix customers could potentially reduce their candy expenses by taking advantage of BOGO promotions, although shoppers seeking specific brands might find better choices elsewhere.

Consumers purchasing large quantities of Halloween candy may benefit from comparing package sizes, calculating the cost per piece and checking weekly promotions before making a purchase.

Halloween Remains a Major Retail Shopping Occasion

Despite expectations of reduced individual spending, Halloween continues to generate significant consumer activity across the United States.

Candy, costumes, decorations and seasonal merchandise remain important retail categories, with households increasingly looking for affordable ways to participate.

The South Florida comparison found that Walmart provided the strongest overall value for Halloween candy, Target offered a competitive alternative, and Publix could deliver savings through selected promotions.

For families preparing for October 31, comparing the price per candy piece and shopping strategically may be the simplest ways to keep Halloween celebrations affordable.