Halloween is more than just a day of fright; it’s a monstrous economic event. According to the National Retail Federation, total Halloween spending in 2024 is projected to reach $11.6 billion, surpassing pre-COVID levels. NRF estimates that 72% of Americans plan to partake in varied forms of celebration.
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77%Â of celebrants intend to buy decorations,
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67%Â plan to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, and
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49%Â plan to dress in costume
Shoppers plan to use a wide variety of U.S. businesses to ensure they have all their Halloween goodies. American consumers plan to shop at:
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Discount stores (37%),
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Online vendors (33%),
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Specialty Halloween stores (33%), and
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Grocery stores/supermarkets (28%)
The pervasive early shopping trend among American consumers continues, with 47% starting their Halloween shopping before October. That’s an increase from 37% just five years ago.
Costumes play a pivotal role in Halloween celebrations, with an estimated $4.1 billion spent on children’s and adult costumes this year. Among Gen Z and Millennial shoppers, families, and urban residents, 61% plan to dress up in frightfully delightful costumes.With nearly half of all Americans planning to celebrate in costume this year, NRF notes that Spider-Man, witches, and pet-friendly outfits are the most popular choices.
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) reports that Halloween drove $6.4 billion in confectionery retail sales in 2023, and that number is expected to climb by three to five percent in 2024. NRF and Mars Wrigley similarly echo candy’s role as the predominant driver in Halloween fun:
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95%Â of Americans plan to celebrate with sweets
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Consumers indicate that candy is the number one contributor to a positive Halloween experience
WY We Care: Our Wyoming businesses have been stocking up on sweets, costumes and decorations to prepare for the spooky season for months, and this Thursday it will all come to head. Let us know how Halloween treats your business this year and keep us in the know!
