Behind the Supply Chains as Halloween Spending Hits New High

As consumers have been getting ready for Halloween, new costumes have been bought and cupboards have been stocked full of candy.

Spending habits shift dramatically in the run up to the holiday, but some experts are suggesting this shopping boom is here to stay.

Despite retail dips and market volatility throughout 2025, Halloween spending is at an all-time high.

Paranormal activity?

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has undertaken its Halloween consumer spending survey, asking 8,045 consumers about their plans for the holiday.

The survey was taken September 2-9th 2025, providing insights into consumer habits and expectations.

According to the NRF, Halloween spending was expected to reach US$13.1bn in 2025, exceeding the record set in 2023 of US$12.2bn.

Despite 79% of Halloween shoppers anticipating higher prices because of tariffs, 73% still planned to celebrate the day.

Planned activities include:

• Handing out candy to trick or treaters - 66%
• Dressing up - 51%
• Decorating yard or home - 51%
• Carving pumpkins - 46%
• Going to (or hosting) a party - 32%
• Haunted house visit - 24%
• Dressing up their pets - 23%

Total spending for candy alone was expected to reach US$3.9bn, whereas costume spending is looking at US$4.3bn.

Spending per-person reached a record high of US$114.45, which is higher than 2024's number by nearly US$11.

“Even with concerns about price increases due to tariffs, Halloween continues to resonate with consumers of all ages,” says Katherine Cullen, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights.

“Whether it’s dressing in costume or carving a pumpkin, more consumers plan to take part in Halloween activities and traditions. Retailers are prepared to ensure the shopping experience is a treat for consumers this Halloween season.”

Trend or treat?

The heightened consumer spend around Halloween may suggest a return to normal consumer spending as 2025 draws to a close.

As consumer spending grows, global supply chains stabilise, which in turn allows markets to lower prices. 

The level of security given by Halloween consumer spending gives businesses the confidence to branch out with suppliers and strategies, meaning they can invest in and diversify their supply chains.

Jordan Kear-Nash, Principal Consultant at Proxima, says: “As Halloween approaches, there are early signs of stability returning to global supply chains for seasonal treats.

"Sugar markets are now at their most favourable point in more than two years, while cocoa prices, though still high, have eased from this year’s peaks. Together, these trends suggest that cost pressures on confectionery manufacturers are beginning to moderate."

“Overall, these developments are a welcome sign of resilience in global supply chains - proof that proactive procurement, flexible planning and innovation are helping the industry adapt to changing market conditions.”

Consumers around the world have been cautious around spending throughout 2025, as a result of market instability, tariff uncertainty and concerns surrounding inflation or an economic crash.

With the increase of spending around Halloween, this could suggest a wider return to normal consumerism.

After Halloween stock hit many shops early, consumers have been able to pace their spend in the run up to the holiday - resulting in more spending but less dramatic bank balance hits. 

This early planning from businesses has also been beneficial to them, as they have already seen the economic growth throughout the spooky season.

The trickier side

While consumer and business studies have generally looked positive for the market, Halloween spending is not all treats.

The boom in consumer spending also creates an increase in item returns - a process that is increasingly costly for retailers.

64% of UK brands say that an increase in fraudulent returns is the biggest threat to their business, with each return having to go through slow, intensive manual inspections.

Manhattan Associates conducted a study on seasonal spikes, examining Amazon Prime Day. It found that 23% of retailers see 10-20% of their total peak sales returned, with as few as 20% of those items able to be resold at full value.

The research also showed that the average return costs 51% for businesses between £20-£49.99 (US$26.26-US$65.64).

To avoid these costs, businesses need to have have strong digital backbones which allow them to process returns faster without sacrificing standards, explore end-to-end visibility, correct inventory inaccuracies and implement real-time data monitoring to ensure ghost stock (items which are listed but physically missing) available again. 

By ensuring a business' database is strong enough to process returns and cope with high consumer demand, they can avoid being spooked by end of year figures. 

In creating efficient customer service and processing solutions, retailers can avoid the horror of falling sales and consumers can have a great shopping experience.