More treats, fewer tricks seen in Halloween sales
More treats. Fewer tricks.
So says the National Retail Federation, which estimates statewide Halloween sales will increase 5.9 percent this year to $7.4 billion nationwide.
In the Silver State, the Retail Association of Nevada estimates Halloween sales could reach $110.1 million, up 7.3 percent from the $102.6 from last year.
In a statement on Thursday, the Retail Association noted the holiday falls on a Friday this year, giving more people a chance to celebrate over the weekend. That in turn, could translate to greater sales. Halloween also coincides with Nevada Day this year.
“A stronger economy, supported by sustained gains in employment and taxable retail sales, is certainly playing a role in this year’s higher sales projections,” said Bryan Wachter of the Retail Association. “Last year, 25.2 percent of consumers said the state of the national economy would impact their Halloween plans, primarily through lower spending. This year, that percentage is down to 18.8 percent.”
According to the National Retail Federation, among those who plan to celebrate Halloween the average spending per person will be about $77.52, up slightly from $75.03 last year. Spending will be highest for costumes, with consumers shelling out about $29.26 for get-ups. Additionally, the percentage of consumers reporting they will be purchasing a costume is the highest in the survey’s history at 67.4 percent.
Nationwide, nearly $1.4 billion will be spent on adult costumes, followed by children’s costumes, $1.1 billion and pet costumes $350 million – with pet costuming becoming a sizable industry by itself. The National Retail Federation survey reported the top five costumes for adults this year are a witch, animal, Batman character, pirate and zombie. The top five children’s costumes are a princess, animal, Spider-Man, Frozen character and action/super hero.
Other spending categories include candy, $23.39 per person; decorations, $21.20 per person; and greeting cards, $3.67 per person.
Nearly one-quarter of consumers will be making their Halloween purchases during these last two weeks before the holiday, retail officials said in the statement. Most, 50.5 percent, will be heading to discount stores, followed by specialty Halloween or costume stores, 36.5 percent, and grocery stores or supermarkets, 25.4 percent, and department stores 21.8 percent.