Survey says Americans spending more on Halloween

By KIM RUEL

Don’t be surprised to see more elaborate costumes, candy bowls filled to their brims and decorations galore this Halloween.

According to a survey by the National Retail Federation conducted by BIGresearch, 64.5 percent of Americans are celebrating the holiday this year compared to the 58.7 last year, and they are spending more too. Shoppers are expected to spend around $66.54 each this year on the holiday compared to $64.82 spent last year.

Spending has increased on candy and decorations this year compared to last, according to the survey.

“I’m surprised by how much people are spending this year,” said Andrea Herrald, human resources manager for Target, 2555 Sycamore Road. “People are spending more on candy and especially costumes.”

Costumes are the major expense consumers will be splurging on this year, according to the survey.

Mikila Browley, assistant manager of Spirit Halloween, 1700 Sycamore Road, expects the survey will be correct about the increase in costume purchases this year.

“I’m not surprised many people, especially college students, are dressing up,” Browley said. “They are our main consumers, and I saw a lot of students dressed up on campus last year.”

Spirit Halloween shopper, Laura Plourde, 20, of DeKalb, admits she is one of those people splurging a little more this Halloween.

“Last year I didn’t spend anything and just wore a costume I already had,” Plourde said. “This year, me and my boyfriend are doing a fun, couple thing, so I’m going to spend around $40 on a costume.”

If the spending trend predicted by the survey proves correct, a total of $2.10 billion will be spent celebrating the holiday this year compared to the $1.82 billion spent last year.

“Our sales were down last month but are going up again,” Herrald said. “I think our sales will most likely continue to go up with last minute shoppers buying costumes closer to the holiday.”