Halloween in AmericaNo. 7324 · The 2026 edition
Bloomberg Businessweek: Halloween Spending Report
Discover why Halloween's economic might and cultural grip make it an unstoppable force in America.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at web.archive.org.
This analysis delves into how Halloween has become a $6.9 billion industry, exploring its vast economic influence and deep cultural roots that ensure its continued dominance as a beloved American tradition.
About this
A Bloomberg Businessweek retail piece summarizing National Retail Federation survey data on how Americans celebrate and spend on Halloween in 2013. It covers total spending, average per-person outlay, spending on adult, kids', and pet costumes, candy and cards, and the most-searched costume ideas from Google Shopping.
The list
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01
Minion (Despicable Me)
Most frequently searched Halloween costume per Google Shopping.
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02
Batman
Described as still popular.
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03
Duck Dynasty costume
Searches three times higher this year than last; Texas was the highest-trending state.
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04
Gatsby dress costume
Searches most popular in New York and California.
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05
Wendy Davis-style pink sneakers
Presumably most searched in New York and California.
Facts from the original
- Almost 66 percent of adults celebrate Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation survey.
- An estimated 158 million people will do something on Halloween.
- Total Halloween spending was estimated at about $6.9 billion.
- The survey found no red-state, blue-state, or purple-state divide; men and women are equally likely to participate, as are millennials, baby boomers, and pets.
- People earning less than $50,000 a year aren't as likely to spend on costumes and candy as those making more.
- Surveyed consumers said they would spend $75.03 on average, down from $79.82 the year before.
- Spending on adult costumes exceeds kids' costumes, totaling $2.6 billion.
- Almost 14 percent of people celebrating will buy pet costumes, about $330 million.
- Americans will spend another $2 billion on candy.
- Halloween cards account for as much as $360 million in spending.
- Minion, from Despicable Me, is the most frequently searched costume according to Google Shopping.
- Batman remains popular.
- Searches for 'Duck Dynasty costume' are three times higher this year than last, with Texas the highest-trending state.
- Searches for 'Gatsby dress costumes' are most popular in New York and California.
- There is no word yet on the popularity of Ted Cruz masks.
From the original
Bloomberg Businessweek reports that Halloween remains a broadly shared American tradition, with almost 66 percent of adults celebrating according to a National Retail Federation survey. Roughly 158 million people were expected to take part and spend about $6.9 billion total. Spending is slightly down from the prior year: $75.03 on average versus $79.82. People earning under $50,000 are less likely to buy costumes and candy. Adult costumes outpace kids' at $2.6 billion, nearly 14 percent of celebrants buy pet costumes (about $330 million), candy accounts for another $2 billion, and Halloween cards add up to about $360 million. Google Shopping data shows the Minion from Despicable Me as the most-searched costume, with Batman still popular, and regional divides around Duck Dynasty, Gatsby dress, and Wendy Davis-style pink sneaker searches.
