Overview

• Average spending per person is projected to hit a record $114.45, according to the National Retail Federation.
• NRF’s category forecast allocates about $4.3 billion to costumes, $4.2 billion to decorations, $3.9 billion to candy and $700 million to greeting cards.
• Candy prices are up about 8.1% year over year, Consumer Price Index data show, fueling a focus on sales, bulk buys and late-October markdowns.
• Experts caution that tariffs on imported goods could lift costume prices, prompting shoppers to turn to secondhand marketplaces, swaps and discount retailers.
• Retailers are treating Halloween as a season with early promotions and experiential offerings, as adult participation and immersive events grow in influence.