Barbie may be behind why Americans are spending record amounts of money on Halloween this year
Americans are spending more money this year on Halloween than ever before and are predicted to spend $12 billion on the holiday in total.
BBC reported that the National Retail Foundation’s data on how much Americans spend on the holiday reveal that Americans spend an average of $108 “on a mix of costumes, candy, home decor and party supplies.”
The foundation’s findings show in comparison that “only half of Canadians expect to spend more than C$50 this year.”
The press release further detailed that in 2022, 69% of Americans reported that they were planning to participate in Halloween activities, while in 2023, 73% of Americans are planning to participate in Halloween activities.
“More Americans than ever will be reaching into their wallets and spending a record amount of money to celebrate Halloween this year,” National Retail Foundation President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement, according to Newsweek. “Consumers will be shopping early for festive decor and other related items and retailers are prepared with the inventory to help customers and their families take part in this popular and fun tradition.”
Total spending on Halloween costumes in particular are reaching record highs as Americans are predicted to spend $4.1 billion on costumes, which is the highest “in the survey’s history.”
Why are people planning to spend so much more on their costumes this year? It may be the 2023 summer blockbuster everyone ran to theaters for.
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Is everyone dressing up as Barbie for Halloween?
The Deseret News reported that the hit film of the summer, “Barbie,” had grossed over “$1.1 billion globally and $537 million domestically,” which caused lead public relations manager for Spirit Halloween, Marisa Uzzolino, to predict that many are planning to dress up as the blond bombshell.
“When the parties start happening, we’re gonna see a lot of Barbie,” Uzzolino told NPR’s Morning Edition. “Western Barbie, Skating Barbie, Skating Ken.”
Newsweek reported that “a whopping 1.8 million Americans” said they are planning to dress up as the iconic Margot Robbie character they saw in the film last summer.
Other popular costume ideas expected to be fan favorites in this year’s Halloween scene were recorded by the National Retail Foundation:
For children:
2.6 million children are planning to dress up as Spiderman.
2 million children are planning to dress up as their favorite princess.
1.6 million children are planning to dress up as a ghost.
1.5 million children are planning to dress up as a superhero.
1.4 million children are planning to dress up as a witch.
For adults:
5.8 million adults are planning to dress up as a witch.
2.4 million adults are planning to dress up as a vampire.
1.4 million adults are planning to dress up as Batman.
1.3 million adults are planning to dress up as a cat.
For pets:
11% of pets will be a pumpkin.
7% of pets will be a hot dog.
4% of pets will be a bat.
3% of pets will be a bumblebee.
3% of pets will be a spider.
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Where can I get Halloween costume inspiration?
The main three sources for where people typically get their Halloween costume inspiration is, in first place, via online searching, with Halloween costume shops in a close second, and family or friend connections falling into third place.
“Younger consumers are eager to begin their Halloween shopping, with more than half of those ages 25-44 planning to shop before or during September,” Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said, according to Newsweek. “Social media continues to grow as a source of costume inspiration for younger consumers, as more people under 25 are turning to TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram for ideas.”
