It won't shock anyone that some 170 million people will be celebrating Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation's 2012 survey of Halloween consumer spending: Americans will spend more than $8 billion on Halloween celebrations. The average person will fork over $79.82 on decorations, costumes, candy and other sweets, up from $72.31 last year. The NRF survey found that more than 70 percent of Americans will celebrate Halloween in some capacity this year.
But the real shocker is this: Just on their pets alone, even with the economy still sputtering along, consumers are expected to spend $370 million on costumes this Halloween, according to Time Magazine. That's $70 million more than last year.
“Expect to see dogs dressed as tacos, skunks, crayons, dinosaurs, chefs, princesses, leprechauns, flowers, and even as Gumby…. if you can imagine it, there’s a costume. Last year’s top-selling costumes were pumpkins, devils, and hot dogs,” according to Time's Kit Yarrow.
“By the time Halloween rolls around each year, it’s safe to say Americans have already spent two months preparing for one of the fastest-growing and most widely-loved holidays of the year,” said NRF president and chief executive Matthew Shay. "Retailers know that when it comes to Halloween, new costume ideas for children, adults and pets ... top people's shopping lists."
Click here to see some of the best Halloween pet costumes we could get our paws on.
