Retail survey: Spending on Halloween to rise 10% this year

The Halloween spirit will visit more Americans than ever this year as they plan to increase spending 10 percent on the spooky holiday over last year.

The National Retail Federation projects seven in 10 Americans will get into the haunting Halloween mood, the most in the NRF’s 10-year survey history, and dole out about $7 more per person.

A record 170 million people plan to celebrate Halloween this year, and the average person will spend $79.82 on decorations, costumes and candy, up from $72.31 last year. Total spending will reach $8 billion.

“By the time Halloween rolls around each year it’s safe to say Americans have already spent two months preparing for one of the fastest-growing and most widely-loved holidays of the year,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

“Retailers know that when it comes to Halloween, new costume ideas for children, adults and pets, and the latest in home and yard décor top people’s shopping lists,” Shay added. “We expect retailers to stock their shelves well ahead of time to capture the attention of eager holiday shoppers.”