The National Retail Federation’s annual Halloween consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics revealed that total Halloween spending in 2025 is expected to reach a record $13.1 billion.
79% of shoppers anticipate prices will be higher this year specifically because of tariffs
Top holiday activities include handing out candy (66%), dressing up in costume (51%) and decorating the home or yard (51%)
Total spending on candy is expected to reach $3.9 billion
2.3 million children plan on dressing up as Spider-Man and 1.9 million as a princess this year
Read on for more consumer insights from the 2025 survey.
NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen joined Retail Gets Real host Bill Thorne to unpack how consumers are celebrating Halloween this year.

Consumer spending trends during the spookiest retail event of the year.

NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen discusses 2025 Halloween consumer spending expectations and shopping trends.

Press Release: Nearly Half of Halloween Shoppers to Start Purchasing Items Before October
Video Q&A: View here
Article: 5 things to know about how consumers are shopping for Halloween
Press release: Halloween Spending to Reach Record $12.2 Billion as Participation Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Levels
Video Q&A: View here
Article: 3 Ways Generation Z is celebrating Halloween this year
Press release: Halloween participation returns to pre-pandemic levels with record spending
Results of the Halloween spending survey are released each year in late September.