Halloween is back on the schedule this year and Americans wanted trick-or-treaters, more decorations and new costumes – for us, the kids and our pets.
When the totals are reported, consumers are expected to have spent a record $10.14 billion on Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation, up from $8.05 billion in 2020 when the CDC suggested most avoid trick-or-treating.
This year, the average consumer is expected to spend $102.74 on costumes (both for themselves and their pets), candy, decorations and greeting cards, $10 more than last year, according to the NRF’s annual survey of 8,061 consumers, conducted Sept. 1-8 by research firm Prosper Insights & Analytics.
Most of the spending will go to costumes: $3.32 billion, 27% more than last year and the most since consumers spent $3.35 billion in 2017, the NRF says. Almost as much – $3.17 billion – will be spent on decorations. And $3 billion will be spent on candy.
“Americans plan to spend more than ever to make this Halloween a memorable one,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay in a statement.
Two-thirds of Americans (65%) plan to celebrate Halloween this year, compared to 58% in 2020, and just below the 68% who celebrated in 2019, the NRF says. Households with children are more likely to celebrate Halloween (82%) than those with no children (55%). Homes with children will likely spend more: about $150, compared to $74 spent by those without children.
Favorite ways to celebrate include: handing out candy to trick-or-treaters (66%), decorating the house (52%), wearing costumes (46%), carving a pumpkin (44%), hosting or going to a party (25%).
USAtoday.com, Mike Snider