NRF: Costumes boost Halloween spending

Washington, D.C. – Total Halloween spending will reach $7.4 billion. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) Halloween Consumer Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the average person will spend $77.52 this Halloween, compared to $75.03 the prior year.



Two-thirds (67%) of consumers will buy Halloween costumes for the holiday, the most in the survey’s 11-year history. Total costume spending will reach $2.8 billion, including $350 million for pet costumes. Consumers will spend $2.2 billion on candy and another $2 billion on decorations, and 36% percent of people will be sending Halloween greeting cards.



Nearly one-third of celebrants (32%) say they will start their Halloween shopping before the first of October. And, while 43% of celebrants begin their shopping in the first two weeks of October, one-quarter will wait until the last minute and shop the last two weeks of October.



While the bulk of Americans will look for costume inspiration online (34.2%) or in a retail store or costume shop (33%), Pinterest is a growing source of inspiration. The survey found 11% of Americans will turn to Pinterest for costume ideas, up from 9% the previous year. Young adults will drive the most Pinterest traffic: 21% of 18-24 year olds will turn to the site for ideas, as will 21% of 25-34 year olds.