From what once was a simple tradition of children trick-or-treating for a pumpkin full of confectionary delights wearing their favorite ghoulish costumes, Halloween has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar, global, annual celebration for all ages, surpassing every holiday except Christmas. The Halloween industry has grown 100% in the past ten years in the U.S. alone. According to the National Retail Federation, around 158 million Americans will be partaking in the frenzy this year, slightly down from last year’s peak of 170 million, with a total spending on festivities to reach $6.9 billion. Even pets are in the act, as consumers will spend over $330 million on their costumes in 2013.
