It’s that time of year again. Decorations are coming out and goblins, ghosts, and an array of other characters will soon be skulking down streets in most American neighborhoods.
Halloween spending in 2024 is expected to reach $11.6 billion, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation.
Other findings from the survey:
Spending
Seventy-two percent of consumers plan to celebrate Halloween this year, similar to last year’s record of 73 percent. Top holiday activities include handing out candy, 67 percent; decorating the home or yard, 52 percent; dressing up in costume, 49 percent; carving a pumpkin, 43 percent; and throwing or attending a party, 29 percent.
Those taking part in Halloween activities plan to spend an average of $103.63, about $4.62 less than last year’s record of $108.24.
Across spending categories, candy continues to be the most popular with total spending expected to reach $3.5 billion. Total spending on decorations is expected to hit $3.8 billion, followed by costumes, $3.8 billion, and greeting cards, $0.5 billion.
Consistent with last year, total spending on adult costumes is expected to reach $1.8 billion, while spending on children’s costumes is anticipated to hit $1.3 billion. As with previous years, interest in pet costumes remains steady and is projected to reach $0.7 billion.
Children’s costumes
This Halloween, 2.6 million children plan on dressing up as Spider-Man, 1.8 million as a ghost, 1.7 million as a princess, 1.6 million as a witch, and 1.5 million as their favorite superhero.
Adult costumes
Among adults, 5.8 million plan on dressing up as a witch, 3 million as a vampire, 1.6 million as a cat, 1.5 million as Batman, and 1.4 million as a pirate.
Pet costumes
Popular costumes for pets include a pumpkin, 10 percent; hot dog, 6 percent; bat, 4 percent; ghost, 3 percent; and bumblebee, 3 percent.
Happy Halloween to all. If you still need ideas, the survey showed the leading sources of inspiration continue to be online searches, 38 percent; within a retail store or costume shop, 28 percent; and friends and family, 20 percent.
