Charlotte Brennan, who owns the Bloom & Brew café and gift shop in Ormskirk, reports that this year marks a significant increase in Halloween-related sales at her establishment. She notes a notable demand for pumpkin spice lattes as early as August, indicating an earlier shift toward autumnal consumer behavior after back-to-school shopping.
Data from Worldpanel by Numerator supports her observations, indicating that over £100 million was spent on sugar confectionery in British supermarkets during the four weeks leading up to October 5, representing a 5% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. Additionally, sales figures reveal that more than a million shoppers had already purchased pumpkins by early October, with total sales reaching £1.4 million, which is double the amount spent in the same pre-Halloween period in 2023.
The overall spending for Halloween is projected to rise again this year, building on a previous peak of £2 billion two years ago. Insights reveal that around 91% of shoppers planned to buy Halloween-related items in 2024. Notably, there was a 37% growth in retail spending associated with the Halloween season in the two weeks before October 31, 2024.
Retail analyst Vikash Kaansili has indicated that Halloween spending has expanded beyond traditional children’s activities. Not only are costumes and confectioneries seeing increased sales, but there has also been nearly a 20% increase in the sale of candles and pajamas, suggesting a wider adoption of Halloween-themed events for adults.
The trend has also benefited local farming businesses, with Andy Owens, a farmer in Herefordshire, expanding his pumpkin patch due to increasing popularity. His pumpkin patch has experienced substantial growth since its establishment in 2021 and includes attractions such as a horror maze, indicating a diversification within the agricultural sector to cater to demand during this seasonal period.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9d3kpdp4do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss