4 minBusiness
Halloween Spending Hits $285 Average as One in Five Shoppers Turns to Financing
A new Deloitte survey of 1,500 U.S. consumers finds the average Halloween budget reaching $285, with one in five shoppers planning to use buy now, pay later or other financing to cover the cost.
Halloween has become a costly affair for American households, with the average consumer planning to spend about $285 on costumes, candy, decorations and celebrations, according to a new survey of 1,500 U.S. consumers from the professional services network Deloitte. The figure reflects a holiday whose expenses are climbing faster than many budgets can absorb, and it is pushing a notable share of shoppers toward installment payment plans.
Of that total, roughly $219 is expected to go toward retail purchases such as costumes and decorations, while about $66 will be spent on experiences, including parties and events. Most of the shopping will happen in person: 67% of respondents said they intend to buy at physical stores, compared with 33% who plan to shop online. Households expect to concentrate their spending at three main venues — mass merchants and big box stores, supermarkets and grocery stores, and specialty Halloween retailers.
The survey points to a holiday that is becoming more expensive for a large slice of consumers. More than a third of those surveyed, 34%, said they plan to spend more than they did last year, while only 11% expect to spend less. The increase does not appear to stem from a sense that the holiday has become more affordable. Only 71% said they can comfortably afford the spending their planned celebrations will require, leaving close to a third of consumers bracing for costs that will strain their finances.
That pressure is evident in how people intend to pay. One in five respondents said they plan to use buy now, pay later services or other financing options to cover their Halloween expenses, a sign that the holiday is increasingly being treated as a budgeted purchase rather than a casual splurge.
The findings arrive alongside broader research on the holiday shopping season. Last month, the management consulting firm Bain & Company projected that retail sales in November and December would grow 4.5% year over year, surpassing $1 trillion for the first time. More than half of that increase is expected to come from inflation rather than higher volumes of goods sold, a dynamic that helps explain why some consumers are turning to installment plans for a single holiday.
Shoppers are also looking for ways to stretch their dollars. One in five consumers said they plan to use generative AI tools for recommendations and comparison shopping, using the technology to decide where to spend. Among those who intend to finish their Halloween shopping early, the share is even higher, with 32% saying they will rely on AI advice to guide their purchases.
The survey offers a snapshot of how a traditionally lighthearted holiday is being reshaped by price pressures. Consumers are still committed to celebrating — spending on costumes, decorations and candy remains a priority for most — but the margin between those who can comfortably afford it and those who cannot is narrowing. For retailers, the data suggests a customer base that is willing to spend but increasingly reliant on financing and digital tools to manage the cost.
With in-store shopping still dominant and big box stores, grocery chains and specialty shops positioned to capture the bulk of the spending, the holiday season is shaping up as a test of how far household budgets can stretch. The Deloitte survey indicates that for many Americans, the scariest part of Halloween this year may be the receipt.
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