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One in five surveyed Australians are “getting ghoulish” this Halloween, according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA).
The ever-growing popularity of the October event is expected to be reflected in boosted retail sales across the nation.
The ARA says that many popular retailers are seeing increased sales of up to 20% on Halloween merchandise, with department stores selling “hundreds of thousands” of costumes and “tens of thousands” of decorations so far.
“Australians can’t resist carving up a Jack O’ Lantern, with supermarkets reporting a 25% increase in pumpkin sales in the lead up to Halloween,” it says.
Australian retailers will be enjoying a $450 million boost from Halloween spending in 2024, with 38% of surveyed Australians stocking up on candy for trick or treaters. 37% will also be buying Halloween costumes, and 32% will be buying home décor.
21% of surveyed Australians say they are planning to celebrate, and of those participating, each person will spend an average of $93.
The top Halloween categories Australians will be spending on include:
- Trick or treating: 45%
- Treats for trick or treaters: 38%
- Halloween costumes: 37%
- Home decorations: 32%
- Attending or hosting: 18%
Australians aged 35-59 are the most likely to celebrate Halloween (34%) followed closely by under 35s (25%).