Halloween has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States, generating economic activity across several key sectors. In 2024, the National Retail Federation (NRF) projects Halloween spending to reach $11.6 billion[1], underscoring its importance for consumer spending and seasonal job creation. Examining Halloween’s contributions to the economy reveals spending patterns across major categories and highlights the holiday’s broader economic impact.
Halloween’s Major Spending Categories
- Costumes & Accessories Costumes top Halloween’s spending categories, with an estimated $3.8 billion going towards outfits for children, adults, and even pets. National surveys reveal that nearly half of Americans plan to dress up, with popular choices such as superheroes for children, witches for adults, and pumpkins for pets. This demand supports retail, wholesale, and distribution jobs, driving temporary employment in retail and design.
- Candy & Treats Halloween and candy go hand-in-hand, with around $3.5 billion projected to be spent nationwide. Candy manufacturers and retailers benefit from this seasonal demand, which brings a spike in production and sales. For many in the food industry, Halloween represents a crucial time for high-volume sales, reinforcing its importance to annual financial performance.
- Home & Yard Decorations Themed decorations are another significant spending area, with consumers investing around $3.8 billion in decorations for both indoor and outdoor displays. This spending not only supports retail sales but also boosts production, shipping, and distribution. The ripple effect along the supply chain generates demand across industries like manufacturing, logistics, and retail.
- Seasonal Attractions & Activities Seasonal attractions such as haunted houses, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches provide entertainment while stimulating local economies. These activities create numerous temporary jobs in areas such as customer service, operations, and event planning. Additionally, by drawing visitors from surrounding areas, seasonal attractions contribute to local tourism and spending in nearby hospitality and service sectors.
- Party Supplies & Hosting Halloween gatherings drive spending on themed party supplies, food, and drinks. Party supply sales are beneficial for both small businesses and large retailers, as consumers purchase items to celebrate at home or attend gatherings. Some companies report that Halloween parties are an increasing source of demand, showing how the holiday’s social aspect impacts spending.
- Pumpkins & Carving Kits The demand for pumpkins, including carving kits, is particularly significant for agricultural producers and seasonal markets. Local pumpkin patches and farms draw in visitors throughout October, providing additional revenue streams and supporting employment in rural areas. This demand for pumpkins contributes positively to the agricultural sector each Halloween season.
Halloween’s Broader Economic Impact
With nearly 72% of Americans celebrating Halloween in 2024 and spending an average of $104 per person[2], Halloween is now a substantial contributor to consumer spending. While it may not rival the economic impact of Christmas, Halloween supports seasonal industries, stimulates temporary job growth, and drives billions in economic activity across various retail categories. By encouraging spending in unique areas—from costumes to haunted houses—Halloween illustrates how even single-day events can play a meaningful role in the broader economy.
Helping You Understand the Broader Context
Whether Halloween directly impacts your business or not, Ready Signal provides the tools to help you predict key business outcomes by accounting for seasonal influences like Halloween. Economic movements like those seen during Halloween are captured in macroeconomic data series that Ready Signal tracks and uses in forecasting models. From spikes in retail sales to employment trends, Ready Signal helps businesses harness these types of seasonal patterns to refine predictions. If your business needs timely insights into consumer spending for October or other peak times, Ready Signal has the data to support your decisions.
[1] https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/halloween#:~:text=The%20National%20Retail%20Federation’s%20annual,expected%20to%20reach%20%2411.6%20billion.
[2] https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/halloween#:~:text=The%20National%20Retail%20Federation’s%20annual,expected%20to%20reach%20%2411.6%20billion.
