Consumers Set to Spend $5.77 Billion This Halloween
Bleak economic news may be grabbing the headlines, but according to the National Retail Federation, U.S. consumers are set to spend more than ever this Halloween: $5.77 billion, a modest increase from last year’s $5.07 billion.
Sixty-five percent of us are planning to celebrate Halloween by buying candy, wearing a costume, hosting/attending a party, or decorating the house, which gives a good indication of what the nation’s trash collectors will be picking up Monday after the holiday weekend.
The most money will be spent on costumes (net average of $24.17 per person), followed by candy ($20.39), decorations ($18.25), and then somewhat surprisingly, greeting cards ($3.73). (I have to confess, I have bought Halloween cards in the past. If you sell it, they will come, I suppose.)
Here are some more estimates according to the NRF’s Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey published September 30, 2008:
- Average per person spending (2001): $41.77
- Average per person spending (2008 estimated): $66.54
- Biggest spenders by age: 18-24-year-olds at $86.59 per person
- Biggest spenders by region: Northeast at $70.84 per person
- Least likely to party: Only 30% of those in the West plan to attend/host a party
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Should I be ashamed that I am going to partake in the consumer charade?
This year I am going to participate with my conscience on sustainability. I have decided to dress up as a real person and the few items that I will buy I can actually wear again. So, at least I can still play and not add more waste to our landfills. Or am I still supporting this mass consumer wasteland of a holiday by playing along?
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I would never be so churlish as to suggest you not have fun. I, myself, LOVE Halloween. I think it’s all about being mindful of our choices and consumption. I’m wearing the same costume as last year (and the year before that) and the kids will be in hand-me-downs that we plan on handing to friends next year. My guilty pleasure: copious amounts of candy.
November 16th, 2010 at 11:36 am
I am glad I found, since I was here needed to take some notes on. Well this is also an. I need it one of my school projects, lucky it is on a similar theme as this post. Thanks, great share.