For Valentine's Day, this candy is the top pick in Ohio. See what's popular in your state

Bailey Gallion, Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read

If you're not taking your loved one out for a romantic dinner somewhere around Columbus, then candy might be your next choice for Valentine's Day gifts. But what candy is Ohioan’s top choice?

According to 16 years of sales data from bulk candy retailer candystore.com, Ohio’s top candy to buy leading up to Valentine’s Day is the ubiquitous heart-shaped candy box.

In second place was cupid corn, a type of pink, white, and red candy corn, and chalky but classic conversation hearts came in third.

Thirteen other states, including neighboring Indiana, had heart-shaped chocolate boxes. About 36 million heart-shaped candy boxes are sold in the U.S. each year,

Other popular picks included M&Ms, Hershey kisses, chocolate roses, chocolate hearts and candy necklaces.

How popular is giving candy on Valentine’s Day?

Candy is likely the most popular gift to give on Valentine’s Day in America.

According to the National Retail Federation, a retail trade association, 57% of Americans plan to give that special someone the gift of candy on Valentine’s Day this year.

It’s the most popular gift category, ahead of greeting cards (40%) and flowers (39%). About 32% of consumers plan to treat someone to an evening out, and 22% will purchase jewelry.

The National Retail Federation projects consumers will spend $25.8 billion on candy this year, slightly down from $25.9 billion last year.

What Valentine's Day candy is popular in your state?

  • Alabama: Candy Necklaces

  • Alaska: Conversation Hearts

  • Arizona: M&M's

  • Arkansas: Hershey Kisses

  • California: Conversation Hearts

  • Colorado: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Connecticut: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • D.C.: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Delaware: Hershey Kisses

  • Florida: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Georgia: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Hawaii: Conversation Hearts

  • Idaho: Hersey Kisses

  • Illinois: Chocolate Hearts

  • Indiana: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Iowa: M&M's

  • Kansas: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Kentucky: Chocolate Roses

  • Louisiana: Conversation Hearts

  • Maine: Chocolate Hearts

  • Maryland: M&M's

  • Massachusetts: Conversation Hearts

  • Michigan: Cupid Corn

  • Minnesota: M&M's

  • Mississippi: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Missouri: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Montana: Chocolate Hearts

  • Nebraska: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Nevada: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • New Hampshire: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • New Jersey: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • New Mexico: Chocolate Roses

  • New York: Conversation Hearts

  • North Carolina: Conversation Hearts

  • North Dakota: M&M's

  • Oklahoma: Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

  • Oregon: Hershey Kisses

  • Pennsylvania: Hershey Kisses

  • Rhode Island: Chocolate Hearts

  • South Carolina: Conversation Hearts

  • South Dakota: Conversation Hearts

  • Tennessee: Conversation Hearts

  • Texas: Hershey Kisses

  • Utah: Hershey Kisses

  • Vermont: M&M's

  • Virginia: Conversation Hearts

  • Washington: Conversation Hearts

  • West Virginia: Conversation Hearts

  • Wisconsin: Hershey Kisses

  • Wyoming: Chocolate Roses

bagallion@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What's your state's top Valentine's Day candy?