Halloween is no longer just about dressing up and going trick-or-treating; it is now a big business and a huge money-making holiday. Every year, people spend billions of dollars on costumes, candy, decorations, and even spooky events. In 2023, US residents spent over $12 billion for the holiday, making Halloween one of the most profitable holidays.
Costumes are a big part of why people spend so much on Halloween. Both kids and adults love getting creative with their Halloween looks. They often spend a lot to get the perfect outfit. Many of them dress up as characters from popular movies or viral internet trends.
Decorations are another huge money maker for Halloween. People love to decorate their homes with spooky items. Some go all out by turning the yard into haunted houses to impress their neighbors and passersby. The more detailed and scary the decoration, the more people will spend.
Treats, of course, are a Halloween must-have, and companies make them even more enjoyable by creating special Halloween-themed candies to make the holiday more fun and boost their sales. In addition to costumes and candy, Halloween experiences like haunted houses and scary movie nights have become popular. People are willing to pay to be scared and entertained at these events. This is a big part of what makes Halloween unique.
Halloween has grown into a vast business where companies and stores make a lot of money. It is about having fun and spending money to make the holiday exciting, and every year, it keeps getting bigger and more profitable.
Halloween Spending Hits Billions
In 2024, Americans are expected to spend about $11.6 billion on Halloween, including costumes, candy, and spooky decorations. This is just a little less than last year, when spending hit $12.2 billion.
In 2022, Americans spent $10.6 billion on Halloween; in 2021, it was $10.14 billion. According to the National Retail Federation, these numbers are some of the highest since 2005. This shows that Halloween spending is a big part of the holiday season and keeps growing every year.
Below is a projected breakdown of how people will spend for the holiday:
- $3.8 billion on costumes and decorations
- $3.5 billion on candy
- $500 million on greeting cards.
For many people, Halloween marks the beginning of the fall season. Many shoppers are eager to get into the autumn spirit by buying new decorations and other seasonal items.
About 72% of people in the U.S. plan to celebrate Halloween in 2024. This number is almost the same as in 2023, when 73% of people celebrated the holiday. About 67% of the people plan to hand out candy. 52% plan to decorate their homes or yards and 49% will wear costumes. 43% planned to carve pumpkins, and 29% will attend Halloween parties
In contrast to this year, 2023 remains the record-breaking year for Halloween spending. In 2023, people spent:
- $4.1 billion on costumes
- $3.6 billion on candy
- $3.9 billion on decorations
- $500 million on greeting cards.
So, while Halloween is fun and full of spooky surprises, it is also a significant time for shopping, with people spending money to celebrate the holiday in style.
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Costumes, Candy, and Decorations Dominate Spending
When it comes to Halloween, three things stand out. Most money people spend goes towards these three things: costumes, candy, and decorations. Every year, as October comes around, millions get ready for the holiday by buying these big three to make their Halloween as exciting as possible.
Costumes are the biggest expense. Kids love dressing up as their favorite superheroes or characters. Adults are not left out; they buy Halloween costumes for parties and events. Everyone wants to get the coolest costume, whether it is from movies, TV shows, or social media trends. Some people even spend extra on cost or high-quality outfits.
Candy is another significant part of Halloween spending. It is one of the main things people buy for Halloween, as it is essential for trick-or-treating. For trick-or-treaters, candy is what it is all about. People want to be sure they have plenty to hand out, so they stock up on various sweets.
Stores usually sell different types of candy, and some companies even make special Halloween-themed treats. Everyone wants to give us the best candy, and no one wants to be the house with the boring options.
In 2024, Americans are expected to spend over $3.5 billion on Halloween candy. This is slightly less than in 2023, when they spent $3.6 billion on candy. Candy is a huge part of the Halloween fun, and people always make sure they have plenty to share.
Decorations are just as important. From carving pumpkins to setting up huge yard displays, decorations make Halloween come alive. People go all out, turning their homes into haunted houses with scary lights, fake spider webs, and even life-sized skeletons or ghosts. The bigger and more realistic the decorations, the more money people are willing to spend.
Movie-Inspired Costumes Lead 2024 Trends
This Halloween, people are getting creative with their costumes. They are taking inspiration from movies and classic Halloween characters. Both kids and adults are excited to dress up. Popular costumes this year include characters from recent films. Stores are also bringing in tons of new items to make this Halloween even more exciting.
Some of the most popular Halloween costumes this year are inspired by the latest Marvel movie. According to Spirit Halloween, a store that sells costumes for the Halloween season, Deadpool and Wolverine are big hits. Another favorite is the classic Beetlejuice costume. This costume has become popular again because of the release of the movie.” Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”
Target also shared that 75% of its Halloween items are new this year. They even have costumes based on the upcoming “Wicked” movie, which will be released in November.
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Classic Costumes Remain Favorites
When it comes to Halloween, some costumes never get old. Every year, people still love to dress up as witches, vampires, and ghosts. For kids, costumes like Spider-Man, ghosts, and princesses are at the top of the list, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
For adults, witches, vampires, and cat costumes are the most common picks. Even though movies or social media inspire new costume trends, these old favorites remain popular because they are part of the Halloween tradition.
The witch costume is a Halloween classic. A pointy hat and broomstick make it easy to recognize and fun to wear. Some people keep it simple with a black dress, while others might make it fancier or more modern.
The vampire is another favorite. It is well-liked by those who want to look mysterious and spooky. Anyone can become a creepy vampire like Dracula with a cape, fake fangs, and some fake blood.
Ghost costumes are also a classic go-to costume that people love. It can be as simple as cutting holes in a white sheet for your eyes, but it is still a fun and recognizable costume even though it is easy. You can make it scary or funny, depending on what you like.
These classic costumes have stayed popular for so long because they represent what Halloween is all about: dressing up, having fun, and maybe scaring a few people. Even though new costumes come and go, there is something special about sticking with these timeless choices.
They remind people of past Halloweens and help keep the traditions alive. So, you might see a lot of superheroes and popular characters on Halloween. Witches, vampires, and ghosts will always be part of the fun, just like they always have been.
Pets Are Getting in on the Halloween Fun
These days, Halloween is not just for people; pets are now joining in. It is becoming super popular to dress dogs, cats, and even other animals in fun costumes for the holiday. Pet owners spend millions to ensure their furry friends look cute or funny in Halloween outfits. You will see pets dressed up in everything from pumpkins to superheroes. This trend is starting to become a big part of Halloween.
Many pet owners love showing off their pets in costumes. While some do it for Halloween parties, others just take pictures to share online. Dogs are the most common pets to dress up with, but even cats and other animals get in on the fun. Some pets even win local costume contests or become popular on social media for their creative looks.
Stores are paying attention to trends, and now, you can find a lot of costumes just for pets. Some are simple, like bat wings. At the same time, others are in full costumes, like pirates or dinosaurs. These costumes are designed to be comfortable so pets can move around and enjoy themselves.
The trend has turned into a huge business. Pet owners spend more and more on pet costumes every year. In 2023, Americans spent around $700 million on pet costumes. It is clear that pets are now a big part of Halloween celebrations, and this is a trend that is here to stay.
Dressing up their pets for Halloween is a fun way for owners to bond and make memories. Whether taking them trick-or-treating or just taking a few photos, pets make Halloween even more special. Who would not love seeing a dog in a dinosaur costume or a cat dressed as a wizard? They add more to the excitement of Halloween.
Retailers Offer Fresh Halloween Merchandise
Halloween is when stores get creative and bring out exciting new stuff for people to buy. Every year, stores are filled with fresh costumes, decorations, and Halloween-themed items that shoppers cannot wait to get their hands on. From big chain stores to small shops, everyone is trying to sell the coolest and scariest items for Halloween.
One of the most fun things about Halloween shopping is picking out costumes. Stores know that people love to dress up as their favorite movie characters, video game stars, or internet memes. This year, there will be lots of new costumes based on pop culture trends. Whether it is a superhero costume with high-tech details or a funny outfit from a viral video, there will always be something new for everyone.
Decorations are another big part of Halloween shopping. Stores are coming out with more advanced and creepy decorations, like moving skeletons, lights, and special effects that make houses look haunted. People love decorating their yards with glowing pumpkins, fog, machines, and spooky figures, and stores love selling them. These decorations only get better every year, and this year‘s decorations are scarier and more creative than ever.
Stores are selling more than costumes and decorations. They also sell Halloween-themed home items, like dishes, blankets, and pajamas. More and more people are turning Halloween into a whole season, not just a one-night event. Some stories even have complete Halloween home collections to help people get into the spooky spirit for weeks.
With so many products hitting the shelves, stores are ensuring enough for everyone to choose from. Whether you are shopping in person or online, there are many fresh and fun Halloween items to help you have the spookiest Halloween ever.