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Halloween Stats & Trends
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Halloween Industry Stats & Trends! 2017

 With more than 179 million Americans planning to partake in Halloween festivities, up from 171 million last year, spending is slated to reach a record high in survey history. This year, consumers are expected to spend $9.1 billion, up from $8.4 billion in 2016. The top costume for children is reported to be an action hero or superhero, while the top pick for adults is a witch. Pets will not be left behind, with 10 percent of consumers dressing their pet as a pumpkin.
% Planning to celebrate Halloween this year

 

TOTAL SPENDING

Total planned spending is estimated to reach $9.1 billion, up from last year's $8.4 billion. Costumes will make up the largest share of spending, coming in at roughly $3.4 billion. Men ($96) plan to spend nearly $20 more, on average, than women ($77).

$9.1B
Total planned Halloween spending
$86.13
Average planned Halloween spending per household 
CostumesCandyDecorationsGreeting cards $3.4B$2.7B$2.7B$.4B

Celebrants are most likely to look for inspiration within a physical retail store and through online searches. The number of those utilizing pop culture (17%) and Instagram (10%) has seen the biggest increase, growing roughly 12% year-on-year. 

 

Online searchWithin a retail storeFriends/FamilyFacebookPinterestPop culturePrint mediaYouTubeInstagramCurrent events0510152025303540 35.2%30.3%20.4%18.2%17.9%17.2%14.2%12.9%10.4%7.5%
 
BeforeSeptemberSeptemberFirst 2 weeksof OctoberLast 2 weeksof October 6.4%29.9%43.6%20.1%
  • 64% of celebrants don't plan to begin shopping until October, but over a third will start in September or earlier. 

  • The number of those shopping this early has grown 11% since 2013, when we first began asking this question. 

  • Men (24%) are significantly more likely than women (17%) to wait until the last two weeks of October to begin their shopping.
 

Nearly every celebrant plans to purchase candy, while another  seven in 10 will spend their budget on decorations and costumes for themselves, children or even their pets. 

 

95%
Over 9 in 10 celebrants plan to purchase candy
72%
7 in 10 celebrants plan to purchase decorations

69%
Nearly 7 in 10 celebrants plan to purchase costumes
37%
Nearly 4 in 10 celebrants plan to purchase greeting cards
 

Similar to last year, discount and specialty stores will be the top places for shoppers to visit. Home décor and home improvement stores have seen the largest gain from last year, both growing over 20% since 2016. 

 

Discount storeHalloween storeGrocery storeDepartment storeOnlineCraft or fabrics storeClothing storeHome décor storeThrift/resale storeDrug storeGreeting card/gift storeLocal/small businessHome improvement storeCatalogOther (please specify)0510152025303540455055 47.1%37.5%25.4%24.4%22.3%13.7%11.1%10.8%10.8%9.1%8.5%7.2%6.2%3.9%3.9%
 

Top Ten Halloween Costumes

Rank Children Adults Pets
1 Action/Superhero Witch Pumpkin
2 Batman Character/ Princess* Batman Character (Batman, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, etc.) Hot Dog
3 Animal (Cat, Dog, Monkey, etc.) Animal (Cat, Dog, etc.) Dog/Lion/Pirate*
4 Spider-Man Pirate Bumble Bee
5 Star Wars Character Marvel Superhero (Spider-Man, Captain America, etc.) Devil
6 Witch Vampire Batman Character
7 Pirate/Marvel Superhero* (excl. Spider-Man) Zombie Ghost
8 Disney Princess DC Superhero* (excl. Batman, Wonder Woman)/Star Wars Character Cat
9 Ghost Slasher Movie Villain (Jason, Scream, etc.) Witch
10 Wonder Woman Wonder Woman Star Wars Character
Source: NRF's Annual Halloween Spending Survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics

 

For more crazy Halloween stats, check out the National Retail Federation.