Register for E-mail alerts. Comment on articles. Sign up today, it's easy.
Close
The Washington Times Online Edition

No trick: Halloween seen as retailers’ treat

Halloween must not be so scary anymore.

Americans are expected to spend $5 billion, 50 percent more than last year, on candy, decorations and costumes for the trick-or-treat day this year, according to a study released yesterday by the National Retail Federation (NRF), a D.C. trade group.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans plan to celebrate Allhallows Eve this year, a significant increase from last year, when half of Americans celebrated the day.

“In recent years, we’ve gradually seen it become a seasonal holiday. It’s no longer just a couple days you see families decorating their front porches and homes,” said Kathy Grannis, an NRF spokeswoman. “It’s definitely become one of the holidays we like to look at as spanning across all niches, all sectors of the retail industry.”

People spooked by the day in the past appear to be coming around. About three-quarters of people plan to pass out candy and one-third plan to dress in costume, according to the study. About 17 percent of people plan to celebrate the day with a trip to a haunted house.

The average consumer plans to spend $59.06 on Halloween, whether on candy, costumes or decorations, according to the NRF. Last year, the average person spent $48.48.

Julie Shymansky, 31, of Kensington, said she expects to spend nearly $200 to $300 on Halloween merchandise, between her house and yard.

“I’m a decorator. I love to decorate. Every holiday, I have something out,” she said while Halloween shopping at Target in Wheaton yesterday.

She said her neighbors take a “Clark Griswold” — from the National Lampoon movies — approach to decorating.

“Everybody’s trying to outdo everybody else. Every year, something new comes out and they go get it.”

For some, Halloween means more than just candy and costumes.

For 21-year-old Yulissa Ozorio of Hyattsville, Oct. 31 is day for great celebration.

“I like it. If you have to spend some money to buy something, I will do it. Because it’s my birthday — so it means something to me. And I want people, when they come to my birthday, to see, like, ‘Wow — where did she get that?’”

Retailers are expanding their Halloween selection in response.

“Our Halloween merchandise has grown from the past years,” said Jami Arms, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman. “In the stores this year, we have products for a wider customer base.”

Story Continues →

View Entire Story
Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus
You Might Also Like
  • ** FILE ** Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich speaks during a news conference on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

    Questions surface on Gingrich campaign travel payments

    By Luke Rosiak - The Washington Times

  • This artist rendering shows Amine El Khalifi before U.S. District Judge T. Rawles Jones Jr. in federal court in Alexandria, Va., Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. El Khalifi, a 29-year-old Moroccan man was arrested Friday near the U.S. Capitol as he was planning to detonate what he thought was a suicide vest, given to him by FBI undercover operatives, said police and government officials. (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)

    Terror suspect arrested near U.S. Capitol

    By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

  • Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Associated Press)

    Justice says Supreme Court should revisit campaign finance

    By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

  • Happening Now

          Independent voices from the TWT Communities

          Media Migraine

          First over-the-counter column approved for fast and effective relief from even your worst media-induced headache.

          Forbidden Table Talk

          Political satirist and Christian apologist Bob Siegel discusses religion and politics.