Halloween isn’t just about the costumes and candy; it’s also a huge business. Every year around this time, companies across the country make billions off of people getting into the spooky season. From decor and makeup to haunted houses and movie releases, Halloween is one of the most profitable holidays of the year.
According to NRF, Americans spend over $12 billion on Halloween every year. This includes costumes, candy, pumpkins, decorations, and parties. Costume sales alone reach billions of dollars, as people of all ages dress up for fun, Halloween parties, and for social media. Pop-up stores like Spirit Halloween open for just a few months each year and still earn huge profits by selling costumes and decorations. Even online stores take advantage of the season, offering limited-time deals and themed merchandise that make people excited to shop.
Candy companies also depend on Halloween sales heavily. A lot of brands make a huge part of their annual profits in October. Stores also make money by selling themed products; Halloween-themed candy, party supplies, and decorations.
Entertainment is also a big part of Halloween. Studios release scary films during October to attract people. Haunted activities are open all across the United States. Corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses bring in large crowds, which helps out small businesses and farms during the season.
Behind the fun, Halloween shows how marketing and creativity drive consumer spending. Companies advertise heavily on social media and create limited-edition products that make people excited to buy. It’s a great example of how culture and business connect. It’s a fun tradition that also keeps the economy active each fall.
Works Cited
“Firework.” Firework, https://firework.com/blog/halloween-statistics?utm_. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
“Halloween Spending Statistics (2024): Sales Data by Year.” Capital One Shopping, 30 Sept. 2022, https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/halloween-sales-spending-statistics/?utm.
Kessel, Andrew. “The Big Business of Halloween.” Investopedia, 20 Oct. 2024, https://www.investopedia.com/the-big-business-of-halloween-americans-spend-billions-8719833?utm_.
“NRF.” National Retail Federation, https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/halloween-spending-reach-record-122-billion-participation-exceeds-pre?utm_. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Souza, Kim. “Halloween Spending Expected to Dip 4.9% from 2023.” Talk Business & Politics, 19 Sept. 2024, https://talkbusiness.net/2024/09/halloween-spending-expected-to-dip-4-9-from-2023/?utm_.
