The National Retail Federation has forecast that Halloween spending for 2018 will reach $9 billion, the second-highest level in the survey’s 14-year history. (Last year, it predicted spending of $9.1 billion.)
The NRF study, which was based on feedback from almost 7,000 adults, estimates that at least 175 million Americans plan to celebrate Halloween, and those doing so will spend, on average, $86.79 per person, up from $86.13 last year.
About 68% of Halloween shoppers say they intend to buy costumes, which translates into a predicted spending of $3.2 billion on dress-up alone.
Another $2.7 billion is likely to be spent on decorations, with 74% of shoppers buying decor for their house or party.
Some 95% of people will be topping up their supply of sweets and other treats, spending around $2.6 billion in total. Approximately 70% say they’ll be handing treats out at their front door on the big day itself.
Costume predictions look likely to remain classic this year, with the most likely choices for children coming in as a princess, superhero or Batman. For adults, witches are the most popular, followed by the traditional vampires, zombies and pirates.
