Halloween sales are predicted to be up in 2007!

According to a survey from the NRF, the average person plans to spend $64.82 on Halloween this year, up nearly 10 percent from the $59.06 they spent a year ago. Total Halloween spending this year, including candy, costumes and decorations, is expected to reach $5.07 billion.

The average person will spend $23.33 on Halloween costumes (including children's and pet's costumes), though young adults will spend far more. According to the survey conducted by BIGresearch, 18-24 year-olds plan to spend $34.06 on costumes, nearly twice as much as they plan to spend on candy ($19.65). Overall, average spending will rise in all categories, including candy ($19.84), decorations ($17.73) and greeting cards ($3.92).

"Halloween should give retailers a nice boost in sales as they open the crucial fourth quarter," said Tracy Mullin, President and CEO of NRF. "This is the time of year that retailers are at their best, stocking the shelves with new and innovative product to help consumers celebrate in style."

SOURCE: RetailWire.com