SOUTH BEND, Ind.—Halloween spending is climbing again this year, with the National Retail Federation predicting Americans will shell out 13.1 billion dollars on candy, costumes and decorations, up from 11.6 billion dollars in 2024.
Even as many households cut back due to rising costs and economic uncertainty, 73% of Americans still plan to celebrate.
According to the NRF, about 3.9 billion dollars will go toward candy, 4.3 billion for costumes and 4.2 billion for decorations.
“Shoppers are still spending, but they’re just being more intentional about it.They’re being strategic about the way they are spending the money for this holiday,” Stephanie Carls, Retail Insights Expert at RetailMeNot.
Some residents across Michiana are finding creative ways to save. Halrun Luppes said her family reused most of their decorations this year. “We’re always fairly budget conscious,” she said.
Longtime decorator Tom Keller says year after year the splurge is worth the scares. Candy is a lot more expensive this year,” he said. “But it’s once a year, and I love doing it,” he added.
Keller was expecting more than 1,500 trick-or-treaters at his elaborate South Bend display, much of which he has built over the past 20 years this Halloween.
With stores already discounting leftover candy and costumes, shoppers still have a chance to stock up if they run out for trick or treaters or their own personal stash.