National Retail Federation forecasts record $13.5 billion Halloween spending

Americans are expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween this year, according to a forecast from the National Retail Federation (NRF). This represents a 3.82% increase over last year's $13.1 billion, though the figure is not adjusted for inflation.

Key spending categories include $4.4 billion for costumes, $4.3 billion for decorations, and $4.1 billion for candy. Greeting card purchases are also expected to rise to $800 million. Approximately 74% of consumers plan to celebrate the holiday, a rate consistent with previous years.

Research indicates that consumers are becoming more strategic and budget-conscious. About 49% of shoppers intend to begin their purchases in September or earlier to spread out costs or take advantage of promotions. To maximize value, 31% of shoppers plan to compare prices, 26% will look for coupons, and 34% intend to buy items that can be reused or repurposed in future years.