Keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters as you head out on the roads this evening Despite the down economy, retailers expect Halloween spending will rise this year.
The National Retail Federation's annual Halloween spending survey found that the average person plans to spend about $72 on costumes, candy and decorations. That's a jump of more than $15 over the past two years.
And it's playing out at specialty stores like Halloween Warehouse in Beaverton, Oregon. Manager Heather Rose says the most popular costumes for adults start around $55. Rose says she has a theory as to why people are spending more this year.
"Because Halloween is on Monday. So the parents are able to go out and able to party Friday, Saturday night," she says. "They can rest up on Sunday and take their kids out on Monday."
The retail group's survey found that people in the West like to dress up more than the rest of the nation. Nearly half of all adults surveyed in this part of the country said they intended to wear a costume on Halloween.
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