While it may not command the kind of spending that characterizes Christmas or back-to-school, Halloween still has consumers opening their wallets wide to mark the ghost-and-goblin season.
According to the National Retail Federation, spending for Halloween this year is expected to reach $13.1 billion — a record amount. The largest chunks will go for costumes ($4.3 billion) and decorations ($4.2 billion), with candy not far behind ($3.9 billion); greeting cards bring up the rear ($700 million).