ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) – Halloween spending is projected to total $9.1-billion dollars this year.
That’s according to the National Retail Federation, which predicts an increase from last year’s $8.4-billion.
Halloween Express Manager Todd Cloutier explains the typical trend at his Ashwaubenon store.
“Even though we’re open eight weeks, early in the season it’s a lot of props and decorations, because people are planning to decorate their house. As we get closer and closer to Halloween, they’re looking at costumes and accessories and then right up to the last minute.”
Cloutier says he’s noticed a trend at the store.
“We’re getting a lot of requests for clowns, either masks or makeup or costumes.”
But Halloween Express shopper Ben Williams says he’s going with something a bit off the beaten path.
“I’m going to be a Twister board. I don’t know how. I’m going to put dots all around me and get a white shirt and hold up a little sign.”
The retail federation expects superheroes, princesses, and animals will top the list of children’s costumes.
Fellow shopper Dylan Clark says he’s a lifelong Halloween enthusiast.
“As a child I loved trick-or-treating and candy and dressing up. I’ve always been into the scary point of it all.”
According to the National Retail Federation, seven in ten Americans plan to celebrate Halloween.
