Halloween shopping starts even earlier this year, with 47% of US consumers making purchases before October, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual survey.
The survey shows a 37% increase in early shoppers compared to five years ago. Overall, Halloween spending is expected to reach $11.6 billion.
“Interest in early Halloween shopping continues to be dominated by the 25-34 age group, with 56% of shoppers in this group kicking off their shopping before October. Their love of the holiday is a key factor in this trend, with nearly half of this segment sharing that they plan to shop early because Halloween is their favorite holiday,” said Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist.
Some of the key reasons for early Halloween shopping include anticipation for autumn (48%), avoiding the stress of last-minute purchases (38%), and Halloween being a favorite holiday for many (37%).
Despite the enthusiasm, average spending per person is expected to dip slightly to $103.63, compared to last year’s peak of $108.24. Nonetheless, Halloween is still one of the most anticipated holidays, with consumers preparing for celebrations long before October rolls around.